Degree in: Natural Sciences
Academic year: 2016-2017
Course: Systematic Botany
Teaching: Prof. Donatella Magri
Department: Environmental Biology
Floor: ___ III ___ Room: ____305______ Phone:___ 22279__________________
e-mail:___ [email protected]
Target students:_2nd year
Unit Level : basic
Pre-requisites: knowledge of general Botany
Credits: ____9___
Objectives of the course:
Knowledge on the biodiversity of the main taxonomic groups: morphological, developmental aspects and
biological cycles of the different taxonomic groups. Methodology and classification criteria. Use of
analytical keys for the identification of terrestrial plants. Realization of a herbarium..
Description of contents:
Preliminary concepts to Systematics. Sistematics and Taxonomy. Phylogeny. Evolution of Plants.
Taxonomic characters. Reproduction and vegetative characters. Macro- and micro- morphological
characters. Homology and Analogy. Pollen. Elements of biometry. Chemotaxonomy: secondary
metabolites. Cytotaxonomy. Taxonomic value of DNA, RNA and Proteins. Fossil plants.
Practical Taxonomy. Artificial and natural classification systems. Classification methods, taxonomic
ranks, nomenclature and International Nomenclature Code (ICBN). Dichotomous keys. Identification of
plants.
Cyanobacteria, Algae, Fungi, and Lichenes: Diagnostic characters.
Bryophytes: General characters. Hepaticae, Anthoceropsida, Bryopsida.
Pteridophytes: General characters. Iso- and etero-spores. Lycopodiopsida, Equisetopsida,
Psilophytopsida, Pteridopsida
Gimnosperms: Main features. Systematics; Cycadales, Ginkgoales, Coniferales (Pinaceae and
Cupressaceae), Gnetales
Angiosperms: Diversity and evolution. General characters. Systematics. Main families of the Italian and
European flora. BASIC FAMILIES: Nympheaceae. MAGNOLIIDE: Magnoliaceae, Lauraceae. MONOCODS:
Araceae, Arecaceae, Cyperaceae, Iridaceae, Liliaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Orchidaceae, Poaceae. EUDICODS:
Sapindaceae (Aceraceae), Amaranthaceae, Anacardiaceae, Apiaceae, Aquifoliaceae, Asteraceae,
Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Ericaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Fagaceae,
Geraniaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Plantaginaceae, Oleaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae,
Scrophulariaceae, Solanaceae, Violaceae.
Introduction to phytogeography. Chorology, geographic distribution. Endemism. Biological forms and
biological spectrum. Growth forms.
Herbaria and Botanical Gardens: importance and function.
Skills to be developed and expected learning outcomes:
- Basic knowledge of taxonomic ranks and nomenclatural rules.
- Knowledge of general characteristics, systematic and ecological importance of the main groups of autotrophic
organisms and mushrooms, with special reference to vascular plants.
- Ability to identify the main goups categories of autotrophic organisms, with particular reference to vascular
plants.
- Knowledge of morphological characters with taxonomic value, related to vascular plants.
- Knowledge and use of identification methods of vascular plants and preparation of a herbarium.
TOPICS
(CFU 9 )
Preliminary concepts
to Systematics
Taxonomic
characters,
Chemotaxonomy,
Practical Taxonomy
Fungi e Lichens
Bryophytes,
Pteridophytes,
Gimnosperms
Angiosperms
Ex-cathedra
teaching
Ex-cathedra
teaching
Ex-cathedra
teaching
Practice
Ex-cathedra
teaching
Practice
Ex-cathedra
teaching
Practice
Field trips- visit to
the Botanical Garden
TOTAL
CLASSROOM
HOURS
2
STUDENT
HOURS
4
TOTAL
HOURS
6
8
16
24
4
8
12
2
8
4
16
6
24
2
4
6
32
68
100
4
16
8
8
12
24
80
145
226
TYPE OF TEST
Mid-term
written
examination
Final evaluation:
Oral examination and discussion of a herbarium consisting of specimens assignable to native species (ten
families), with complete labels
Suggested textbooks
Strasburger E. Trattato di botanica vol.2.Delfino Antonio Editore – 2007
Marchi P., Pepe D’Amato E., Bianchi G., 2002-2012 – Famiglie di piante vascolari Italiane. 1-140.
Sapienza Università Editrice
e-learning study material (http://elearning2.uniroma1.it/)
Roma, _05.05.2016___________