Paleontology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
Recognize and understand the processes leading to the production of the fossil record and appreciate its importance as evidence for biological evolution. Encourage learning about the main groups of vertebrates and invertebrates commonly used in paleontology, also considering dissemination as possible goal.
Expected learning outcomes
Capacity to recognize the transition of organic remains from the biosphere to the lithosphere. Acquisition of expertise about the main groups of animals (vertebrates and invertebrates), whose fossil record contributes to the knowledge about biological evolution.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is organized into three parts:
A - Taphonomy: from the biosphere to the lithosphere.
Introduction to Palaeontology and its applications.
The species in Palaeontology: definition and problems.
Biostratinomy: from the identification of the causes of death to the burial of a body through the physio-chemical and bio-chemical processes that may change its morphology and disposition in the sediment. Decomposition, disarticulation, transport, bioerosion, predation, dissolution.
Spatial relationships fossil/rock as indicators of autochthony vs. allocthony and of the depositional and burial environments.
Fossilization s.s. (diagenesis): description of the physical and chemical processes that may change the composition and structure of the organic remains. Soft tissue diagenesis. Formation of minerals associated to soft parts. Preservation/alteration of biominerals.
Types of fossils. Fossil-Lagerstätten.
The Trace fossils: systematics and significance.
B - The applications of Palaeontology: Biostratigraphy, Palaeoecology, Palaeoclimatology and Conservation Palaeobiology.
C - Fossil Invertebrates.
Description of the main features of the principal invertebrate fossil groups: cnidarians, brachiopods, bivalves, cephalopods, echinoderms, and trilobites based on theoretical lessons and practical training. Their significance in the Earth Sciences context.
A - Taphonomy: from the biosphere to the lithosphere.
Introduction to Palaeontology and its applications.
The species in Palaeontology: definition and problems.
Biostratinomy: from the identification of the causes of death to the burial of a body through the physio-chemical and bio-chemical processes that may change its morphology and disposition in the sediment. Decomposition, disarticulation, transport, bioerosion, predation, dissolution.
Spatial relationships fossil/rock as indicators of autochthony vs. allocthony and of the depositional and burial environments.
Fossilization s.s. (diagenesis): description of the physical and chemical processes that may change the composition and structure of the organic remains. Soft tissue diagenesis. Formation of minerals associated to soft parts. Preservation/alteration of biominerals.
Types of fossils. Fossil-Lagerstätten.
The Trace fossils: systematics and significance.
B - The applications of Palaeontology: Biostratigraphy, Palaeoecology, Palaeoclimatology and Conservation Palaeobiology.
C - Fossil Invertebrates.
Description of the main features of the principal invertebrate fossil groups: cnidarians, brachiopods, bivalves, cephalopods, echinoderms, and trilobites based on theoretical lessons and practical training. Their significance in the Earth Sciences context.
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Lessons and practicals
Teaching Resources
Società Paleontologica Italiana MANUALE di PALEONTOLOGIA FONDAMENTI - APPLICAZIONI, maggio 2020 - ISBN: 9788879477147
Raffi & Serpagli, INTRODUZIONE ALLA PALEONTOLOGIA, UTET, TORINO
Slides on Ariel
Photoes of the fossils exposed in Aula Stoppani, DST and published on Ariel and videos of fossils.
Museum and scientific institutions (SPI) websites
Raffi & Serpagli, INTRODUZIONE ALLA PALEONTOLOGIA, UTET, TORINO
Slides on Ariel
Photoes of the fossils exposed in Aula Stoppani, DST and published on Ariel and videos of fossils.
Museum and scientific institutions (SPI) websites
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam comprises two written texts:
taphonomy and applications of palaeontology, two open questions, 2 hours;
invertebrate palaeontology, two specimens to be described and identified, and few questions on the identified fossil groups, 1 hour.
Evaluation parameters: understanding, correctness, appropriateness of the
language, ability to apply the acquired knowledge on taphoniìomy, invertebrate palaeontology, applications of palaeontology.
Type of evaluation: mark out of thirty.
Results will be available on SIFA.
taphonomy and applications of palaeontology, two open questions, 2 hours;
invertebrate palaeontology, two specimens to be described and identified, and few questions on the identified fossil groups, 1 hour.
Evaluation parameters: understanding, correctness, appropriateness of the
language, ability to apply the acquired knowledge on taphoniìomy, invertebrate palaeontology, applications of palaeontology.
Type of evaluation: mark out of thirty.
Results will be available on SIFA.
GEO/01 - PALEONTOLOGY AND PALEOECOLOGY - University credits: 6
Practicals with elements of theory: 12 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Angiolini Lucia, Crippa Gaia
Shifts:
Professor:
Angiolini Lucia
turno 1
Professor:
Angiolini Luciaturno 2
Professor:
Crippa Gaiaturno 3
Professor:
Crippa Gaiaturno 4
Professor:
Crippa GaiaEducational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 14.30
Department of Earth Sciences "Ardito Desio" or by email.