Plant Evolution and Domestication
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course will provide knowledge and tools to detect genetic and ecological variation patterns and the evolutionary mechanisms shaping plant species. The understaning of this variation has implications for the study of biodiversity and its geographical and taxonomic distribution, and the general interpretation of plant traits.
Expected learning outcomes
The students will acquire theoretical and practical skills to examine plant evolutionary processes. They will obtain a broad understanding of species complexity as evolutionary units and of their dynamics. These skills can be applied to biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use.
Lesson period: Second 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
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Biodiversity crisis and plant evolution
Main evolutionary theories
Phenotypic variation: adaptation and phenotypic plasticity
Ecotype concept
Genetic traits: factors producing genetic variation and methods to detect it
Diversity patterns in wild populations: gene flow and population structure
Life history traits: breeding system, life cycle, dispersal, distribution range
Polyploidy and genome size variation
Hybridation, introgression and hybrid zones
Speciation: factors causing reproductive isolation
Phylogenetic analysis
Species concept
Invasive species and protected species: evolutionary implications
Main evolutionary theories
Phenotypic variation: adaptation and phenotypic plasticity
Ecotype concept
Genetic traits: factors producing genetic variation and methods to detect it
Diversity patterns in wild populations: gene flow and population structure
Life history traits: breeding system, life cycle, dispersal, distribution range
Polyploidy and genome size variation
Hybridation, introgression and hybrid zones
Speciation: factors causing reproductive isolation
Phylogenetic analysis
Species concept
Invasive species and protected species: evolutionary implications
Prerequisites for admission
Suggested prerequisites are Botany (biology and systematics) and Genetics.
Teaching methods
Lectures with ppt slides and class exercises. The students are requested to bring their own laptops to access data analysis programmes and search data in global databases and in the scientific literature. The aim of these exercises is to search and elaborate data for a project (that can be individual or in groups) concering the evolutionary patterns and mechanisms in a species chosen by the students. Lectures are sometimes replaced by seminars and presentations/ discussion of case studies, including those proposed by the students relevant for their projects. The active involvement of the students in the discussion will provide an opportunity to practice their critical capacity, the elaboration of acquired concepts and the ability to communicate evolutionary concepts.
Teaching Resources
e-book: Plant diversity and evoution: genotypic and phenotypic variation in higher plants. Henry R.J. DOI 10.1079/9780851999043.0000
The book does not cover all topics of the course programme and will be integrated with scientific articles.
The book does not cover all topics of the course programme and will be integrated with scientific articles.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam. The student will present and discuss the major factors generating diversity and driving evolution within a chosen species with a short ppt presentation. Additional questions on the programme topics will complete the exam. Both the project prepared by the student and the answers will be evaluated, taking into account the level of knowledge achieved and the logical capacity to link and integrate the evolutionary topics of the course programme using a correct terminology.
BIO/02 - SYSTEMATIC BOTANY
BIO/03 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND APPLIED BOTANY
BIO/03 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND APPLIED BOTANY
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Brambilla Vittoria Francesca, Lambertini Carla
Professor(s)