Phylogeny and Animal Evolution
A.Y. 2018/2019
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide up-to- date knowledge about evolutionary relationship of the main animal taxa and critical competence to analyze phylogenetic trees.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will learn how to evaluate critically the reconstructions of phylogenetic trees. He will be able to evaluate new acquisitions in the field of animal phylogeny on the base of previous knowledge.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course program is articulated into two phases. During the first phase, basal knowledge of cladistics systematic and principal methods for phylogenetic reconstruction will be recalled. in the second phase the evolutionary relationships among the principal animal taxa will be presented and critically discussed. Particular attention will be paid upon still debated groups.
Methods of cladistics systematic
Methods for phylogenetic reconstructions
The contribution of molecular biology to the systematic biology
Origin of pluricellularity: choanoflagellates as possible progenitors of Metazoa
Cnidarians and their planula larvae: radiates or bilaterians?
The new phylogeny of Protostomes: Lofotrocozoa and Ecdisozoa.
Acquisition of bilateral symmetry: Platyhelminthes and the phylogenetic position of Acoela.
Mollusk phylogeny
Phylogenetic relationships among anellids, echiura, sipunculids and pogonophores.
The arthropods: reconsiderations on the phylogenetic position of myriapodes and insects.
The Deuterostomes: the case of Xenoturbella
The chordates: Tunicates and not Cephalochordates are the sister group of vertebrates
Vertebrate phylogeny: the position of petromizontes and missinoids.
Mammals' phylogeny. phylogenetic relationships among Primates.
A case of revision of evolutionary relationships: cetaceans and artiodactylans
Felids'phylogeny.
Methods of cladistics systematic
Methods for phylogenetic reconstructions
The contribution of molecular biology to the systematic biology
Origin of pluricellularity: choanoflagellates as possible progenitors of Metazoa
Cnidarians and their planula larvae: radiates or bilaterians?
The new phylogeny of Protostomes: Lofotrocozoa and Ecdisozoa.
Acquisition of bilateral symmetry: Platyhelminthes and the phylogenetic position of Acoela.
Mollusk phylogeny
Phylogenetic relationships among anellids, echiura, sipunculids and pogonophores.
The arthropods: reconsiderations on the phylogenetic position of myriapodes and insects.
The Deuterostomes: the case of Xenoturbella
The chordates: Tunicates and not Cephalochordates are the sister group of vertebrates
Vertebrate phylogeny: the position of petromizontes and missinoids.
Mammals' phylogeny. phylogenetic relationships among Primates.
A case of revision of evolutionary relationships: cetaceans and artiodactylans
Felids'phylogeny.
Professor(s)