Population Biology and Genetics
A.Y. 2018/2019
Learning objectives
The course aims at teaching the students the basics to analyse natural populations and their dynamics. The study of the genetic structure of populations are of fundamental importance to understand diversification, speciation and evolution of all living species. Moreover, the analysis of biodiversity and its distribution within and among populations is fundamental to show examples and strategies wchich could be applied in nature conservation programs.
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Course syllabus
Basic demographic parameters and demographic structure; Life tables; intrinsic rate of increase; forms of growth, density-dependent and density-independent population adjustments and carrying capacity. R and K Strategies. Distribution of individuals and their dispersal.
Concept of ecological niche: multidimensional niche and its breadth; niche overlap between coexisting populations. Ecological interactions among species populations: competition and competitive exclusion, predation, parasitism.
Genetic variation and its origins: mutation, recombination and transposition.
Methods to reveal and analyze genetic variation. Genetic markers.
Genetic structure of a population. The Hardy Weinberg model, calculation of gene frequencies and statistical methods to test HW equilibrium. Genetic structure of sex-linked traits. Linkage disequilibrium.
Natural selection and its effects on gene frequencies. Selection on polygenic traits. Forms of selection: directional, stabilizing, frequency-dependent, variable in space or time.
Individual fitness and overall fitness. Kin selection and the misunderstanding of group selection. Sex allocation and evolution of sex ratio.
Study of population dynamics. Effect genetic mutation and migration. Balance between mutation and selection.
Importance of heterosis and inbreeding
Random genetic drift and its consequences as a driving force to modify gene frequencies. Sampling error and founder effects.
How to calculate the population effective size and study of the factors influencing it.
Estimation of genetic distances and population structure
Reference Material
Dock Neal - Introduction to Population Biology. Cambridge University Press, 2004
John H. Relethford - Genetica delle popolazioni umane - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli, 2013
Daniel L. Hartl e Andrew G. Clark - Principles of Population Genetics, 4th Edition - Ed. Sinauer
Richard Frankham, Jonathan D. Ballou, David A. Briscoe - Introduction to Conservation Genetics 2nd Edition - Ed.Cambridge
Prerequisites and exam evaluation
Basic knowledge of genetics and ecology.
The oral exam consists in a mandatory discussion on topics presented during the course.
Language of instruction
Italian
WEB page
http://lgianfranceschibgp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/
Concept of ecological niche: multidimensional niche and its breadth; niche overlap between coexisting populations. Ecological interactions among species populations: competition and competitive exclusion, predation, parasitism.
Genetic variation and its origins: mutation, recombination and transposition.
Methods to reveal and analyze genetic variation. Genetic markers.
Genetic structure of a population. The Hardy Weinberg model, calculation of gene frequencies and statistical methods to test HW equilibrium. Genetic structure of sex-linked traits. Linkage disequilibrium.
Natural selection and its effects on gene frequencies. Selection on polygenic traits. Forms of selection: directional, stabilizing, frequency-dependent, variable in space or time.
Individual fitness and overall fitness. Kin selection and the misunderstanding of group selection. Sex allocation and evolution of sex ratio.
Study of population dynamics. Effect genetic mutation and migration. Balance between mutation and selection.
Importance of heterosis and inbreeding
Random genetic drift and its consequences as a driving force to modify gene frequencies. Sampling error and founder effects.
How to calculate the population effective size and study of the factors influencing it.
Estimation of genetic distances and population structure
Reference Material
Dock Neal - Introduction to Population Biology. Cambridge University Press, 2004
John H. Relethford - Genetica delle popolazioni umane - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli, 2013
Daniel L. Hartl e Andrew G. Clark - Principles of Population Genetics, 4th Edition - Ed. Sinauer
Richard Frankham, Jonathan D. Ballou, David A. Briscoe - Introduction to Conservation Genetics 2nd Edition - Ed.Cambridge
Prerequisites and exam evaluation
Basic knowledge of genetics and ecology.
The oral exam consists in a mandatory discussion on topics presented during the course.
Language of instruction
Italian
WEB page
http://lgianfranceschibgp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Gianfranceschi Luca Enrico Angelo, Saino Nicola Michele Francesco
Professor(s)
Reception:
Upon email request
2nd floor, C building, Dept. of Biosciences