OVERVIEW

Systematic Botany deals with the diversity of the plant world, understood in a broad sense (Procarioti, Fungi, Algae, Land plants); it is one of the fundamental disciplines for the study of biodiversity which is a key element in the formation of a naturalist both as regards the knowledge of how it has come to its current expression and the applicative aspects related to its management and conservation.

AIMS AND CONTENT

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.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities declared to the University and wish to request compensatory instruments, dispensative measures or other for lessons, assignments and examinations, should contact both the lecturer and Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability referent.

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 website al sito https://2024.aulaweb.unige.it 

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

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Available on AulaWEB at the site https://2024.aulaweb.unige.it

Class schedule

SYSTEMATIC BOTANY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists of a practical / written and an oral part.

The written test consists in the identification of a plant sample of Italian flora with the use of dichotomous keys, up to the species; for admission to the oral exam the written test must be passed at least up to the level of identification of the family.

The oral examination includes open questions on the topics of the program, the first including the "sight" recognition of a sample of one of the most important and / or common species or families of Italian flora.

The evaluation of the topics covered in the first period of the module will be carried out through an in itinere test (multiple choice test + an open question) whose evaluation will compete for about 2/5 for the final evaluation. The in itinere test is considered outdated if the student has achieved a score of at least 18/30. The student who has not done or passed the on-going verification will be evaluated on the whole program for the oral exam.

Five calls will be available in the summer session (June, July, September) and 2 calls for the winter session (January-February)

The practical / written test can performed on the dates of all official calls, but is valid for only one academic year. To support it you must send a reservation email to the teacher at least 3 working days before the call.

The check in progress, if exceeded, is valid for a year

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The practical / written test of plant identification serves to evaluate the student's ability to correct use dichotomous keys for the identification of plant samples.

The oral examination is aimed at verifying: the knowledge of the characteristics of the main plant taxa; the understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms that have led to the current plant diversity. Moreover, through the recognition "on-sight" of a sample, it serves to assess the knowledge of the main taxa, especially at the family level, of the Italian flora and the ability to quickly identify the most important diagnostic elements in the sample.

The in itinere test (optional) verifies the learned notions and the ability to discern the manifestly wrong answers. In the second test, the ability to identify the most important and characteristic elements that allow to describe a taxon or an evolutionary event.

Evaluation matrix

FURTHER INFORMATION

The presence at lectures and laboratories is strongly suggested