OVERVIEW

The Population Biology presents different approaches to the study of micro-evolutionary processes in animal populations.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Genetics aims to provide students with basic knowledge on the mechanisms of hereditary transmission of phenotypic traits and on mutations. Population Biology aims to investigate the main aspects related to demographic structure, space-temporal dynamics and conservation of animal populations and metapopulations in an evolutionary perspective. The genetic-molecular approach, correlated with the biogeographical one, should make students capable of developing critical and analytical skills useful for future studies and research in the evolutionary biological field.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures using power point presentations.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Population and meta-population: general aspects. Populations Genetics. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and its deviations. History of and introduction to Zoogeography. Continental drift and current distribution of ecological conditions (biomes). Ranges definition, description and analysis. Definizione, descrizione e studio degli areali (vicarianza-dispersione). Vicariance. Dispersal. Speciation models. Systematic Biogeography (biogeographical regions, chorological categories).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Conner J.K. & Hartl D.L., 2005. Elementi di genetica ecologica. Piccin, Padova.

Frankham R., Ballou J.D., Briscoe D.A., 2006. Fondamenti di genetica della conservazione. Zanichelli.

Zunino M. & Zullini A., 2004. Biogeografia. La dimensione spaziale dell’evoluzione. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LORIS GALLI (President)

GIORGIO BAVESTRELLO

SILVIA VIAGGI

EMANUELE BOSI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

Class schedule

POPULATION BIOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Oral exam. The exam is aimed at assessing the knowledge of the fundamental elements of the subject, the ability to link the various topics and the mastery of the applicative aspects.

Exam schedule