ID:
502344
Duration (hours):
82
CFU:
9
SSD:
ZOOLOGIA
Year:
2026
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (01/10/2026 - 15/01/2027)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The main objective of the course is to provide knowledge of animal biodiversity, anatomical-functional organization, and phylogenetic relationships among the main zoological groups.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will acquire knowledge and understanding skills regarding:
1) Knowledge and Understanding:
Broad understanding of Animal Kingdom biodiversity, body plans (Bauplan), and evolutionary processes driving adaptation and diversification.
Detailed knowledge of the anatomical, morphological, ecological, and phylogenetic organization of major animal groups (from protists and basal metazoans to protostomes and deuterostomes).
2) Applying Knowledge and Understanding:
Ability to identify major animal taxa (Phyla, Classes, and Orders) through the observation of key morphological and diagnostic traits.
Practical application of dichotomous keys and laboratory instruments (stereomicroscope and optical microscope) for identifying biological specimens.
3) Making Judgements.
Ability to correlate animal anatomical structures with ecological niches and evolutionary trajectories.
4) Communication Skills.
Proficiency in specialist zoological terminology, cladistics, and rules of international zoological nomenclature.
5) Learning Skills. Autonomy in consulting scientific literature, taxonomic databases, and updated phylogenetic trees.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will acquire knowledge and understanding skills regarding:
1) Knowledge and Understanding:
Broad understanding of Animal Kingdom biodiversity, body plans (Bauplan), and evolutionary processes driving adaptation and diversification.
Detailed knowledge of the anatomical, morphological, ecological, and phylogenetic organization of major animal groups (from protists and basal metazoans to protostomes and deuterostomes).
2) Applying Knowledge and Understanding:
Ability to identify major animal taxa (Phyla, Classes, and Orders) through the observation of key morphological and diagnostic traits.
Practical application of dichotomous keys and laboratory instruments (stereomicroscope and optical microscope) for identifying biological specimens.
3) Making Judgements.
Ability to correlate animal anatomical structures with ecological niches and evolutionary trajectories.
4) Communication Skills.
Proficiency in specialist zoological terminology, cladistics, and rules of international zoological nomenclature.
5) Learning Skills. Autonomy in consulting scientific literature, taxonomic databases, and updated phylogenetic trees.
Course Prerequisites
Knowledge of the topics covered in basic courses of Animal Biology and General Zoology, with specific reference to:
1) General Zoology: Core anatomical structures and physiological functions of animals (feeding modes and digestion, movement and locomotion systems, reproduction and life cycles, support structures and exoskeleton/endoskeleton, osmoregulation and excretion, respiration and gas exchange).
2) Embryology: Early embryonic development (types of cleavage, gastrulation, origin and fate of germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm; distinction between Protostomes and Deuterostomes).
3) Histology: Morphological and functional characteristics of the main animal tissues (epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscular tissue, and nervous tissue).
1) General Zoology: Core anatomical structures and physiological functions of animals (feeding modes and digestion, movement and locomotion systems, reproduction and life cycles, support structures and exoskeleton/endoskeleton, osmoregulation and excretion, respiration and gas exchange).
2) Embryology: Early embryonic development (types of cleavage, gastrulation, origin and fate of germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm; distinction between Protostomes and Deuterostomes).
3) Histology: Morphological and functional characteristics of the main animal tissues (epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscular tissue, and nervous tissue).
Teaching Methods
Lessons; seminars on applied aspects; laboratory exercises; presentations by the students; field excursions.
For students participating to the DIDATTICA INCLUSIVA programme, video-lectures and vide-recordings of lectures are available on the KIRO platform
For students participating to the DIDATTICA INCLUSIVA programme, video-lectures and vide-recordings of lectures are available on the KIRO platform
Assessment Methods
The exam includes a preliminary test of recognition of the main taxa treated in class. The test consists of 30 multiple choice questions in 30 minutes on the kirotesting platform. Who passes the test accesses the oral test which consists of 4-6 questions concerning both the apomorphies and the anatomical characteristics of the phyla treated in class, and the phylogenetic relationships between phyla and within phylum
Texts
Hickman et al. Diversità animale. McGraw-Hill (capitoli 16-33 nella più recente 16esima edizione)
Contents
The course describes and analyzes the diversity of heterotrophic Protists and the Animal Kingdom, as well as their classification, considering morphology, functions, evolution, environmental adaptations, and modes of life.
1) Introduction to Systematic Zoology:
- Principles of classification, biosystematics, cladistics, and phylogeny.
- Animal architecture: levels of body organization, body plans (Bauplan), symmetry, germ layer development, and coelom types.
- General overview and phylogenetic positioning of all 32 Phyla of the Animal Kingdom.
2) Detailed Analysis of Major Taxa:
For each of the following groups, systematic position, morphology, comparative anatomy, reproductive strategies, life cycles, habitats, modes of life, and internal classification are covered.
- Heterotrophic Protists (Protista)
- Sponges (Porifera)
- Cnidarians (Cnidaria)
- Flatworms (Platyhelminthes)
- Ribbon worms (Nemertea)
- Rotifers (Rotifera)
- Roundworms (Nematoda)
- Molluscs (Mollusca)
- Annelids (Annelida)
- Bryozoans (Ectoprocta)
- Arthropods (Arthropoda)
- Velvet worms (Onychophora)
- Water bears (Tardigrada)
- Echinoderms (Echinodermata)
- Chordates (Chordata): Urochordates (Urochordata), Cephalochordates (Cephalochordata), and Vertebrates (Vertebrata).
1) Introduction to Systematic Zoology:
- Principles of classification, biosystematics, cladistics, and phylogeny.
- Animal architecture: levels of body organization, body plans (Bauplan), symmetry, germ layer development, and coelom types.
- General overview and phylogenetic positioning of all 32 Phyla of the Animal Kingdom.
2) Detailed Analysis of Major Taxa:
For each of the following groups, systematic position, morphology, comparative anatomy, reproductive strategies, life cycles, habitats, modes of life, and internal classification are covered.
- Heterotrophic Protists (Protista)
- Sponges (Porifera)
- Cnidarians (Cnidaria)
- Flatworms (Platyhelminthes)
- Ribbon worms (Nemertea)
- Rotifers (Rotifera)
- Roundworms (Nematoda)
- Molluscs (Mollusca)
- Annelids (Annelida)
- Bryozoans (Ectoprocta)
- Arthropods (Arthropoda)
- Velvet worms (Onychophora)
- Water bears (Tardigrada)
- Echinoderms (Echinodermata)
- Chordates (Chordata): Urochordates (Urochordata), Cephalochordates (Cephalochordata), and Vertebrates (Vertebrata).
Course Language
Italian
More information
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Degrees
Degrees
NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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