Sciences and Teaching of Natural Systems

• The Cambrian explosion and the diversification of Metazoans. • The origin and diversification of Chordata and Craniota. • The Hox genes in the study of vertebrate evolution. • The diversification and the phylogenetic relationships of Agnathans. The Conodonts. • The origins of Gnathostomata. The phylogenetic position of Placoderms and Achantodes. • The origin and the three radiations of Chondrichthyes. • The origin of Osteichthyes. Primitive and modern Actinopterigian. • The Sarcopterigian, their diversification. The Panderictids and the origin of limbs. The Hox genes and the origin of fingers. The Paleozoic Labirintodonts and the morphological innovations that allowed the colonization of the terrestrial environment. The Devonian and the Tetrapods origin. The first terrestrial vertebrates. The Carboniferous and the amphibians diversification. The extinct lineages of Amphibians. • The Antracosaurs and the origin of amniotes. • The diversification of Reptiles: Anapsids, Diapsids and Synapsids. • The main lineages of Diapsids: Lepidosaurs and Archosaurs. The Hox genes and the origin of Serpentes. The Chelonians origins. • The diversification of Archosaurs (Crocodylomorpha, Pterosauria and their flight). Dinosaurs and birds. Feather evolution. • The Synapsids, from Pelycosaurs to Therapsids. The Cynodonts and their innovation linked the heterodonty. The origin of Mammals. • The first mammals: multituberculates, morganucodontids, triconodonts. • The diversification of Mammals at the order level. The contribute of molecular systematics. The Cetacean origin.

Basic knowledge on the principles of zoological systematics and on Comparative Anatomy of vertebrates

Pough - Janis - Heiser Zoologia dei Vertebrati • 2014 Carroll Infinite forme bellissime 2008 Marcelo R. Sánchez-Villagra. Embrioni nel tempo profondo. Il registro paleontologico dell'evoluzione biologica 2014 Handouts provided by the teacher

The course includes lectures designed to stimulate students' curiosity and critical sense. The lessons are presented in seminar form. Some exercises are performed dealing with the interpretation of phylogenetic trees. The anatomical characteristics of the treated taxa are deepened thanks to visits in the Museum of Comparative Anatomy. The results of recent scientific articles published during the current year are presented.

compulsory

The exam aims to verify the level of knowledge of the topics. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths (minimum grade 18/30, maximum mark 30/30 with honors).

not expected

The course includes lectures designed to stimulate students' curiosity and critical sense. The lessons are presented in seminar form. Some exercises are performed dealing with the interpretation of phylogenetic trees. The anatomical characteristics of the treated taxa are deepened thanks to visits in the Museum of Comparative Anatomy. The results of recent scientific articles published during the current year are presented.

• The Cambrian explosion and the diversification of Metazoans. • The origin and diversification of Chordata and Craniota. • The Hox genes in the study of vertebrate evolution. • The diversification and the phylogenetic relationships of Agnathans. The Conodonts. • The origins of Gnathostomata. The phylogenetic position of Placoderms and Achantodes. • The origin and the three radiations of Chondrichthyes. • The origin of Osteichthyes. Primitive and modern Actinopterigian. • The Sarcopterigian, their diversification. The Panderictids and the origin of limbs. The Hox genes and the origin of fingers. The Paleozoic Labirintodonts and the morphological innovations that allowed the colonization of the terrestrial environment. The Devonian and the Tetrapods origin. The first terrestrial vertebrates. The Carboniferous and the amphibians diversification. The extinct lineages of Amphibians. • The Antracosaurs and the origin of amniotes. • The diversification of Reptiles: Anapsids, Diapsids and Synapsids. • The main lineages of Diapsids: Lepidosaurs and Archosaurs. The Hox genes and the origin of Serpentes. The Chelonians origins. • The diversification of Archosaurs (Crocodylomorpha, Pterosauria and their flight). Dinosaurs and birds. Feather evolution. • The Synapsids, from Pelycosaurs to Therapsids. The Cynodonts and their innovation linked the heterodonty. The origin of Mammals. • The first mammals: multituberculates, morganucodontids, triconodonts. • The diversification of Mammals at the order level. The contribute of molecular systematics. The Cetacean origin.

Basic knowledge on the principles of zoological systematics and on Comparative Anatomy of vertebrates

Pough - Janis - Heiser Zoologia dei Vertebrati • 2014 Carroll Infinite forme bellissime 2008 Marcelo R. Sánchez-Villagra. Embrioni nel tempo profondo. Il registro paleontologico dell'evoluzione biologica 2014 Handouts provided by the teacher

The course includes lectures designed to stimulate students' curiosity and critical sense. The lessons are presented in seminar form. Some exercises are performed dealing with the interpretation of phylogenetic trees. The anatomical characteristics of the treated taxa are deepened thanks to visits in the Museum of Comparative Anatomy. The results of recent scientific articles published during the current year are presented.

compulsory

The exam aims to verify the level of knowledge of the topics. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths (minimum grade 18/30, maximum mark 30/30 with honors).

not expected

The course includes lectures designed to stimulate students' curiosity and critical sense. The lessons are presented in seminar form. Some exercises are performed dealing with the interpretation of phylogenetic trees. The anatomical characteristics of the treated taxa are deepened thanks to visits in the Museum of Comparative Anatomy. The results of recent scientific articles published during the current year are presented.