Learning objectives
<br />The course of Plant Systematics aims at providing updated knowledges concerning the evolution of photoautotrophic organisms from Prokariotes to Spermatophytes. The students could make experience in identifying and classifying vascular plants through producing an herbarium, based on plant samples collected in the field.
Prerequisites
An adequate level of learnings concerning plant morphology, histology and citology is requested.
Course unit content
<br />A) INTRODUCTION <br />1) Plant Systematics and Taxonomy. An historical excursus from the origin of plant taxonomy to modern plant systematics. Present methodologies of plant systematics research. 2) Reproduction and sexuality in the plants. Vegetative reproduction, sporogony and sexual reproduction. Metagenetic cycles.<br /><br />B) PLANT EVOLUTION AND TAXONOMY<br />1) The Prokariotes. General features, cytology, reproduction and phylogenesis. Taxonomy: Archaebacteria and Eubacteria. Eubacteria: Bacteriophyta, Cianobacteriophyta and Prochlorophyta.<br /><br />2) The Eukariotes.General features and origin. General phylogenetic scheme.<br />3) The Fungi (Mycota)<br />Myxomycota. Eumycota: general features, biochemistry, cytology, morphology, motility, metabolism, reproduction and habitat. Taxonomy of Eumycota: Mastygomycotina, Zygomycotina, Ascomycotina, Basidiomycotina, Deuteromycetes. Phylogenesis of Eumycota.<br />4) The Algae<br />General features, biochemistry, cytology, morphology, motility, metabolism, reproduction, phylogenesis and habitat. Taxonomy: Glaucophyta, Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta, Euglenophyta, Dinophyta, Cryptophyta, Chrysophyta, Bacillariophyta, Xanthophyta, Phaeophyta.<br />5) The Lichens. General features, morphology, cytology, metabolism, reproduction and habitat. <br />6) The emersion from the water habitat.<br />Advantages and disadvantages in the new habitat. Vegetative and reproductive adaptations. The more ancient terrestrial plants: hypotheses and models.<br />7) Bryophyta<br />General features, morphology, reproduction and metagenetic cycle, habitat. Taxonomy: Marchantiatae, Anthocerotae and Bryatae. Phylogenesis.<br />8) Pteridophyta<br />General features, reproduction and metagenetic cycle. The gametophyte. The sporophyte: morphology and anatomy, sporogonic reproduction, habitat. Tassonomia: Zosterophyllophyta, Rhyniophyta, Trimerophytophyta, Lycophyta, Sphenophyta, Pterophyta. Phylogenesis.<br />9) Progymnospermophyta<br />General features, taxonomy and phylogenesis.<br />10) Seed plants (Spermatophyta)<br />General features, pollen, ovule and seed. General taxonomic scheme. <br />11) Gymnospermae<br />General features, morphology and anatomy of the vegetative apparatus. Reproductive apparatus. Pollination and fecundation. The seed. Phylogenesis and Taxonomy: Pteridospermophyta, Ginkgophyta, Coniferophyta, Gnetophyta.<br />12) Angiospermae (Magnoliophyta)<br />General features, morphology and anatomy of the vegetative and reproductive apparatus. Pollination and fecundation. Seed, fruit and embryion. Metagenetic cycle. Taxonomy of Magnoliophyta: general features of Magnoliatae and Liliatae. The origin of Magnoliophyta.<br />
Bibliography
<br />Recommended books:<br />F.M. GEROLA. Biologia vegetale sistematica filogenetica. Utet, Torino.<br />E. STRASBURGER. Trattato di Botanica. Parte sistematica. Delfino Editore, Roma.
Teaching methods
Periodical oral tests and final discussion on the herbarium.