Biosystematics, taxonomy & evolution

Paper Code: 
ZOL 121
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course objectives:

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 (COs): 

 

Course

Learning outcomes

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

 

ZOL 121

Biosystematic, Taxonomy & Evolution

Students will

CO1: Building the basic concepts of animal taxonomy and analyze the implications of Chemotaxonomy, Cyto-taxonomy and Molecular taxonomy

CO2: Analyse the Concept of Molecular Phylogenetics and Genetics of Quantitative traits in a population.

CO3: It would furnish the student with different taxonomic procedures including taxonomic collection, species concept and Speciation, preservation, methods of identification and taxonomic keys.

CO4: Explain different theories of biological classification and the basic concept of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).

CO5: Predict Molecular analysis of quantitative traits

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration, Team teaching

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Simulation, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks, Field practical

Class test

Semester end examinations,

Quiz

Assignments

Presentation

Individual 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: 
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-Weinner 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.

 

References: 

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.

E- RESOURCES:

JOURNALS:

Taxonomy and Biosystematics ISSN: 2008-8906, 2322-2190

Journal of Systematics and Evolution ISSN: 1759-6831

 

 

Academic Year: 
2022-2023
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