Mendelian genetics. Conceptual model of evolution. Inheritance. Quantitative traits. Probability and statistics. Molecular evolution. Vital rates. Small populations. Sustainable harvest.
Ferraguti M. Castellacci C. Evoluzione. Modelli e processi. Pearson ed. 2011.
Campbell A.N., Reece J.B. Principi di Biologia. Pearson Ed. 2010.
Braude S, Low B.S. An Introduction to Methods and Models in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology. 2009. Princeton University Press.
Scott Mills L. Conservation of Wildlife Populations. Demography, Genetics, and Management. 2013. Wiley Blackwell.
Additional material provided by the teacher.
Learning Objectives
Basis of evolution and animal genetics. Fundamentals of population genetics, conceptual models of evolution and genetic variations in natural and managed populations.
Knowledge of the fundamentals of evolutionary ecology, natural selection, adaptation, and the basic parameters of population genetics.
The student will acquire the ability to calculate the main genetic parameters of a population and to design conservation programs.
Prerequisites
Courses recommended: Wildlife morphology and physiology, General Zoology, Mammals and Birds.
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
not compulsory but strongly encouraged
Teaching tools
unifiElearning: http://e-l.unifi.it/
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course : 6*25=150
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities:102
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 32
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours): 14
Further information
None
Type of Assessment
Written exam on the topics discussed in class with 20 multiple choice and 10 open questions.
Course program
Introduction to the course. Meiosis and sexual life cycles (outline). Mendelian genetics. Conceptual model of evolution. Chromosomal bases of inheritance. Overview of the molecular basis of inheritance. Population genetics. Genetic variation and fitness in wildlife populations. Evolution of populations. Study of quantitative traits. Overview of probability and statistics. Molecular evolution and phylogeny. Estimation of vital rates and population growth. Dynamics of multiple populations. Deterministic stressors of animal populations. Dynamics of small populations. Sustainable harvest.