LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to provide students with the basic notions of Systematic Botany and the main tools for identifying plant diversity and recognizing its main components.

The module provides:

- knowledge of the different modes of propagation and reproduction of plant organisms, particularly in higher plants;

- insights into the evolutionary lines and rules of botanical nomenclature;

- definition of taxonomic groups, including the characters of the main families of Italian flora;

- understanding of the meaning and value of biodiversity.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the module the student will be able to:

• present principles and methods of historical and modern systematics;

• describe the main plant groups in the broadest sense: Prokaryotes, Algae, Fungi and, in particular, terrestrial plants (Bryophytes, Ferns, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms), highlighting their main characteristics, also with the help of examples;

• understand and illustrate the different trends and evolutionary stages that have led to the current plant diversity;

• illustrate the characteristics and indicate the main examples of the most important families of angiosperms;

• use dichotomous keys for the identification of vascular plant species;

• identify "by eye" the most important families and species of Italian flora.

PREREQUISITES

Concepts and basic mechanisms of biology (cell, mitosis, meiosis, cell cycles, metagenetic cycles) and of plant biology (in particular cellular organelles, tissues and plant organs)

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, exercises in the classroom, in the laboratory and in the field.

For the first semester, the lessons will be available in presence. The laboratory exercises will be organized possibly in the presence, possibly with multiple shifts.

All face-to-face activities will be carried out in compliance with the capacity limits of the classrooms / laboratories and the distance provided for by the current legislation following the emergency COVID19.

Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended, especially for lab and field exercises.

Please refer to the specific AulaWeb application for teaching for any updates due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The module will cover the following topics:

• Introduction to plant taxonomy and systematic. Reviews taxonomic groups of bacteria (with emphasis on Cyanophyta), algae (with emphasis on Rhodophyta, main groups of Heterokontophyta and Chlorophyta), fungi (Oomycetes, Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Glomeromycota,  Ascomycota, Basidiomycota),  lichens. Origin of land Plants. Bryophyta ( Hepaticopsida, Anthocerotopsida, Bryopsida).
• General features and evolution of vascular plants.
• Pteridophyta: main fossil groups, Licophytes, Monilophytes (Equisetopsida, Psilotopsida, Polypodiopsida). Topics include: taxonomic position, morphology, variety of forms, diversity of reproductive cycles in relation to evolution.
• Spermatophyta: biology, ecology, systematics, speciation and evolution of seed plants.
• Gymnospermae: main fossil groups, Cycadales, Ginkgoales, Pinales (Conifers and Gnetophytes).
• Angiospermae: structure and morphology of flowers and fruits, principal taxa of  Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons.

The module will include training in the identification of families and species of italian vascular flora with emphasis on flowering plants.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The slides of the lectures will be available on AulaWeb. The notes taken during the lessons may constitute the main study basis for the preparation of the exam, but it is advisable to consult texts of the University level systematic botany and botany to verify the completeness and correctness of the notes themselves and for any further study of the topics. treated.

The following are some recommended texts, also found at the Library of the School of Sciences MFN:

• Pasqua G., Abbate G., Forni C. (eds.), 2015 – Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. III edizione. Piccin
• Strasburger E. et al. - Trattato di Botanica. Evoluzione, Sistematica ed Ecologia. X edizione italiana. Antonio Delfino Editore, Roma
• Evert R.F., Eichorn S.E. – LA BIOLOGIA DELLE PIANTE DI RAVEN - Zanichelli
• Gerola F.M. - Biologia vegetale: sistematica filogenetica. III edizione. UTET. Torino 1997

During the laboratory exercises, the Guida botanica d'Italia di Baroni E. (Ed. Cappelli) will be used and a key will be provided of the main Italian families of Tracheophyta and a table illustrating the main diagnostic features useful for the use of the key.

In the Library of the School of Sciences, a useful atlas of the main vascular plant families is available:

• Marchi P., Pepe D’Amato E., Bianchi G., 2002 – Famiglie di Piante vascolari italiane. 2 vol. Università degli Studi La Sapienza e Rubettino Editori