LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to marine plants and their biology and ecology . The module will include training in the identification of the algae and see-grasses with emphasis on the major groups and species of Mediterranean Sea.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and understanding

The module has the following learning goals:

- basic knowledge of plant organisms and marine fungi;

- knowledge of biology and ecology;

- tools for the recognition of the main species or groups of species, with particular regard to the most common and/or important groups of species in the Mediterranean.

Competences and skills

Specifically, the student will be able to:

- describe the characteristics and indicate examples of the main groups of plants and marine fungi;

- identify the main fungal taxa;

- know the nomenclature and the most important diagnostic elements for the use of dichotomous keys for the identification of marine plant organisms;

- understand the biology of plant and fungal organisms with particular reference to the physiology of marine plants, at the cellular and organism level;

- illustrating the planes of marine vegetation, indicating the ecological characteristics, the indicator species and the most characteristic phytocoenosis;

- describe the main marine ecosystems and growth substrates where fungi can be or are present.

PREREQUISITES

Students are required to have a basic knowledge 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

The lectures will be carried out in presence. The laboratory activities will be organized if possible in presence, possibly with several small groups.

An on-field experience will let students to identify seagrasses and to observe natural habitats.

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

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The syllabus includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

- Notes on Cyanophyta.

- Biology and diversity in Rhodophyta (main groups).

- Characteristics and diversity of Heterokontophyta, in particular Diatoms and Phaeophyceae.

- Biology, structure, systematics and importance of Chlorophyta.

- Overview of the other main phytoplankton taxa.

- Characteristics of marine Angiosperms with particular attention to the morphology, biology and importance of the species present in the Mediterranean Sea.

- Notes on the structure and function of marine plant communities.

- Notes on coastal vegetation (beaches, brackish swamps, mangroves, etc.).

- Notes on marine fungi, general characteristics and hints of fungi systematics with particular reference to taxa present in marine and coastal ecosystems

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Presentation slides

Available uo to June on AulaWEB at the site https://2022.aulaweb.unige.it

Main texts:

The notes taken during the lecturess may constitute the main study basis for the preparation of the final exam.

Reference texts:

It is advisable to consult the texts of Algology and Marine Botany to verify the completeness and correctness of the notes themselves and for any further study of the topics covered:

Graham L.E., Graham J.M, Wilcox L. W., Cook M.E. 2016. Algae 3rd edition. LJLM Press. In electronic format (pdf) http://www.ljlmpress.com/algae.html

Dawes C.J., 1998 - Marine botany. John Wiley & Sons, New York. (also available at the Library of the School of Sciences MFN).

Van den Hoek C., Mann D.G., Jahns H.M., 1995 - Algae. An Introduction to phycology. Cambridge University Press. (Also available at the MFN School of Sciences Library)

Gareth J., Ka-Lai Pang, 2012. Marine Fungi: and Fungal Like Organisms. De Gruyter, Berlin.

Useful guides and scientific- disseminating atlases:

Cabioc'h J., Floc'h J.Y, Le Toquin A., Boudouresque C.F., Meinesz A., Verlaque M., 1992 - Guide des Algues des Mers d'Europe. Delachaux et Niestlé. Neuchâtel, Paris.