OVERVIEW

Paleobiology is the science that seeks to reconstruct the biological aspects of organisms that are now extinct and uses methods that straddle earth sciences and biological sciences to study the life of organisms in past eras. Paleobiology therefore has the great merit of being able to access large data of populations over very long time intervals and therefore be able to test questions inherent to evolution, adaptation and paleoecological variations by moving freely along temporal and environmental gradients.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will be able to approach the study of the biology of extinct organisms through the study of the functional morphology of preserved remains. The basis for the recognition of the living and depositional environments of individual taxa will be provided. The implementation of ichnological information will serve to reason about the ethology of fossil remains and thanks to paleoecological insights it will be possible to deepen essential aspects on the characterization of marine communities in environments of all depths.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

• use the correct methodology in the interpretation of the biological signal in past eras;
• know how to use the morphology of fossil remains in an applicative manner in order to reconstruct the paleoenvironment within which the community of organisms lived;
• recognize and discuss any variations with respect to the fossilization environment;
• correlate paleobiological and paleoecological aspects in a context of climate changes in the most remote but also very recent past eras;
• interpret the evolution of biodiversity in space and time knowing how to recognize the main factors that have led to modern conditions and try to reason about future biological and ecological scenarios.

PREREQUISITES

Notions of systematics of marine organisms, mastery of correct taxonomies for the morphological description of organisms.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists in frontal classes, laboratories with fossil materials and practicals on the field.

Attendance at classes is strongly recommended, while attendance at practical and laboratory activities is mandatory at 75%.

The way lessons are taught may be modified due to emergencies that prevent in-person lessons from being held. In this case, classes will be held via the Teams platform using suitable substitute teaching tools.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• introduction to paleobiology, birth and evolution of the discipline
• paleobiodiversity, extinction and speciation curves
• environmental crises, evolution, resilience and adaptation
• functional morphology at the service of paleobiology
• study of populations and temporal variations
• data collection in the field, paleobiological and paleoecological analysis and interpretations

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Palaeobiology II Editor(s): Derek E.G. Briggs, Peter R. Crowther. Print ISBN:9780632051496 |Online ISBN:9780470999295 |DOI:10.1002/9780470999295

The Paleobiological Revolution: Essays on the Growth of Modern Paleontology by David Sepkoski (Editor), Michael Ruse (Editor). ISBN-10 0226748618

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable visit: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The student will be asked to recognize one fossil specimens and discuss its life style, trophism and living environment.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.