Fossils. Fossilization. Ecology and paleoecology. Classification and concept of species. Evolutionary theories. Biostratigraphy. Chronostratigraphy, Isotope stratigraphy. Paleobiogeography. History of life. Systematics: Protista, Cnidaria, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Brachiopoda and Arthropoda. Laboratory of applied stratigraphy.
Textbooks:
Raffi S. e Serpagli E. 1993-Introduzione alla Paleontologia. Utet Scienze della Terra Torino.
Monroe and Wicander 1997- The changing earth. Exploring geology and evolution. West/Wadsworth
Stanley S. 1975 -Earth and Life trough time. Freeman and Company New York
Ricci Lucchi F. 1996. La Scienza di Gaia: ambienti e sistemi naturali visti da un geologo. Zanichelli.
Vialli 1985 Lezioni di Paleontologia
Clarkson 1998 Invertebrate palaeontology and evolution
Learning Objectives
This course is designed to give an introduction to the origin of fossil remains, to the evolution, stratigraphic distribution and paleoenvironmental significance of past organisms. The course is also designed to provide the basics of geochronology based on biological and geological events, as well as of the systematics, functional morphology and physiology of marine invertebrates in their paleoecologic context.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as recommended requirements:
Geology 1
Teaching Methods
Lectures, practical and lab classes
Type of Assessment
Practical and oral tests
Course program
Taphonomy and fossilization. Ecology and paleoecology. Fossils as environmental indicators. Population structure and dynamics. Classification and concept of species. Theories of evolution from Lamarck to punctuated equilibria. Biostratigraphy, basics of Magnetostratigraphy, Chronostratigraphy and Geochronology. Isotope stratigraphy. Stratigraphic correlations and integrated stratigraphy. Paleobiogeography. The origin of the biosphere, the history of life from the primeval organic components to present life, major paleobiological events and palaeoenvironmental changes. Marine environment. Ecology and Paleoecology. Invertebrate paleontology: taxonomy, morphology and evolution of Protista, Cnidaria, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Brachiopoda and Artropoda. Laboratory of applied stratigraphy.