Biosystematics, taxonomy & evolution

Paper Code: 
25DZOL711
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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25DZOL

711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biosystema tic, Taxonomy & Evolution THEORY

CO:193Building      the                              basic concepts of animal taxonomy and analyze the implications of Chemotaxonomy, Cyto taxonomy and Molecular taxonomy

CO:194Analyse the Concept of Molecular Phylogenetics and Genetics of Quantitative traits in a population.

CO:195 It would furnish the student with different taxonomic procedures including taxonomic collection, species concept and Speciation, preservation, methods of identification and taxonomic keys.

CO:196 Explain different theories of biological classification and the basic concept of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).

CO:197 Predict Molecular analysis of quantitative traits CO:198 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, Simulation,

Giving tasks, Field practical

Class test Semester end examinations

, Quiz Assignments Presentation Individual and group projects

 

10.00
Unit I: 
Basic concepts of biosystematics
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: 
Speciation & Species concept
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: 
Keys in taxonomy
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: 
Concept & theories of evolution
Concept of evolution and theories of organic evaluation with an emphasis on Darwinism.
Micro and Macro-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: 
Quantitative traits
Genetics of quantitative traits in populations Analysis of quantitative traits
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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