BIOSYSTEMATICS, TAXONOMY & EVOLUTION

Paper Code: 
25ZOL121
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
This course will enable the students to -
1. Analysis of basic concepts of Biosystematics.
2. Descriptive study of taxonomy including speciation, Concept of evolution and theories of organic evolution with an emphasis on Darwinism and Genetics of quantitative traits in population.
3. Explain the process of speciation and methods of Phylogenetic analysis, Taxonomy and Evolution.
 
Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25ZOL

121

Biosystematics

Taxonomy

& Evolution

(Theory)

CO1:  Build the basic concepts of

animal taxonomy and analyze the

implications        of                          Chemotaxonomy,

Cytotaxonomy        and                              Molecular

taxonomy

CO2: Furnish the student with different

taxonomic      procedures                      including

taxonomic collection, species concept

and Speciation.

CO3: Explain Taxonomic procedures

and taxonomic keys and the basic

concept of the International Code of

Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).

CO4: Predict concept of evolution and

theories of organic evaluation

CO5: Analyse the Concept of Molecular

Phylogenetics     and         Genetics                         of

Quantitative traits in a population

CO6: Contribute effectively in course-

specific interaction

Approach in

teaching:

Interactive

Lectures,

Discussion,

Tutorials,

Reading

assignments,

Learning

activities for

the students:

Self-learning

assignments,

Effective

questions,

Seminar

presentation,

Field practical

Class test

Semester

end

examinat

ions,

Quiz

Assignment

s

Presentation

Individua

l and

group

projects

 

10.00
Unit I: 
UNIT I
● Definition and basic concepts of biosystematics and taxonomy
● Importance and applications of bio-systematic in biology
● Material basis of biosystematics-different attributes
● Trends in biosystematics- Chemotaxonomy, Cytotaxonomy, Molecular taxonomy
15.00
Unit II: 
Dimensions of speciation and taxonomic characters
Dimensions of speciation – types of lineage changes, production of additional lineage
● Theories of Biological classification, Hierarchy of categories
● Species concept- Species category, different species concept, subspecies and other infra specific categories
● Mechanisms of speciation in panmictic and apomictic species
● Taxonomic characters – different kinds, origin of reproductive isolation
 
15.00
Unit III: 
UNIT III
● Procedure keys in taxonomy
● Taxonomy procedures-Taxonomic collections, preservations, curetting process of identification
● Taxonomic keys-Different kinds of Taxonomic keys, their merits and demerits
● Systematic publication-Different kinds of publications
● Process of typification and different zoological types
● International code of Zoological nomenclature (ICZN) – its operative principles, interpretation and application of important rules, Zoological nomenclature, formation of scientific names of various taxa.
● Evaluation of biodiversity indices:Shannon-Wiener index, dominance index
 
10.00
Unit IV: 
UNIT IV
● Concept of evolution and theories of organic evaluation with an emphasis on Darwinism.
● Micro andMacro-evolution
● Neo-Darwinism
● Hardy –Weinberg law of genetic equilibrium Detailed account of Destabilizing forces:
● Natural selection
● Mutation
● Genetic drift
● Migration
● Meiotic drive
 
10.00
Unit V: 
UNIT V
● Genetics of quantitative traits in populations
● Analysis of quantitative traits
● Quantitative traits and natural selection
● Genotype-environment interactions
● Inbreeding depression and heterosis
● Molecular analysis of quantitative traits
● Phenotypic plasticity
● Molecular phylogenetics
● How to construct phylogenetic trees
● Phylogenetic inference-Distance methods, parsimony methods, maximum likelihood method
 
Essential Readings: 
 
● Evolutionary Biology, Futuyamma, D. J. Suinuaer Associates, INC Publishers, Sunderland.
● Principles of Systematic Zoology by Ernst Mayr
● A Primer of Population Genetics. Hart, D.L. Suinuaer Associates, Inc, Massachusetts.
● Genes and Evolution. JhaA.P.John Publication, New Delhi
● Species Evolution-The role of chromosomal change. King,M. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
● Evolution and Genetics Merral, D.J.Holt, Rinchart and Winston, Inc.
● Evolutionary Genetics. Smith,J.M. Oxford University Press, New York.
SUGGESTED READINGS:
● Evolution. Strikberger, M.W.Jones and Barlett Publishers, Boston London
● Batschelet-F-Introduction to mathematics for life scientists Springer Verlag, Berling.
● Skoal R.R. and F.J.Rohiff Biometry-Freeman, San-Francisco.
● Snecdor, G.W. and W.G. CocharanStatisical Methods of affiliated-East West Press, New Delhi. Murry J.D. Mathematical Biology-Springer, Verlag, Berlin.
 

 

References: 
 
e- RESOURCES:
● http://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in › botany › biosystematics
 
JOURNALS:
 
Taxonomy and Biosystematics ISSN: 2008-8906, 2322-2190 Journal of Systematics and Evolution ISSN: 1759-6831 
 

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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