66955 - Zoology (M-Z)

Learning outcomes

Basic knowledges on the Animal Kingdom: its biodiversity with special reference to body plan, metabolic functions, reproductive strategies, phylogeny and evolution .

Course contents

Animal origin and evolution. Classification, systematics and phylogeny. Animal bauplan and metabolic functions (body symmetry, cellularity, germ layers, body cavities; locomotion and support; feeding mechanisms, excretion and osmoregulation, circulation and gas exchange; nervous systems and sense organs; hormones and pheromones; reproduction). Animal development and life histories.

Some general aspects of heterotrophic Protista.

The Animal Kingdom: Placozoa, Porifera (Exactinellida, Calcarea, Demospongiae), Cnidaria (Hydrozoa, Scyphozoa, Anthozoa), Ctenophora, Platyhelminthes (Turbellaria, Trematoda, Cestoda), Nemertea, Mollusca (Caudofoveata, Solenogastres, Polyplacophora, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Scaphopoda, Cephalopoda); Annellida (Polychaeta, Clitellata); Rotifera, Acanthocephala, Gastrotricha, Nematoda, Nematomorpha, Kinorhyncha, Priapula, Loricifera, Onycophora, Tardigrada, Arthropoda (Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea, Hexapoda); Lophophorata (Phoronida, Brachiopoda, Bryozoa), Echinodermata (Crinoidea, Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea, Holothuroidea), Hemichordata, Chordata (Tunicata, Cephalochordata, Vertebrata), Metazoa incertae sedis.

Readings/Bibliography

Zoologia - Generale; Balsamo et al., Casa Editrice Idelson Gnocchi, 2012

Zoologia - Sistematica; Balsamo et al., Casa Editrice Idelson Gnocchi, 2010

Teaching methods

frontal lessons; didactic laboratory observations

Assessment methods

The assessment will take place through a written examination for the identification of three animal samples and the answer to three specific questions, followed by an oral one with more general questions.

Teaching tools

.ppt presentation; laboratory exercise

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Mantovani