Diversity and Phylogeny of Angiosperms

The objective of this EU is to provide an overview of the diversity of angiosperms, examined through the lens of the most recent phylogenies proposed bythe Angiosperm Phylogeny Group ( APG). This phylogenetic framework will be supported throughout the course by the practical observation of vegetative and floral characters in a selection of taxa spanning the entire phylogeny, in order to identify the synapomorphies of the major clades, any homoplasies, as well as adaptations (floral biology, pollination, trophic interactions, etc.).

Students also explore the diversity of angiosperms from a floristic perspective by creating a herbarium of species that are generally Mediterranean in origin. In the process, they become familiar with the use of a flora and digital identification tools (such as Pl@ntNet and Tela Botanica’s e-Flore).

Knowledge:

- Understand the diversity of angiosperms from a floristic perspective (knowledge of the major families) and a phylogenetic perspective (knowledge of the major clades and the synapomorphies that support them)

- To deepen understanding of the morphological and anatomical organization of the vegetative and reproductive systems of angiosperms

Expertise:

- Work in groups and communicate orally (presentation of the herbarium)

- be able to synthesize concrete observations and communicate them in a scientific manner (observational drawings, diagrams, reasoned texts) by relating them to theory

- Use effective identification tools