General information

Course type AMUPIE
Module title Algological workshop – taxonomy of algae and cyanobacteria
Language English
Module lecturer Agnieszka Budzyńska, Anna Kozak
Lecturer's email abudz@amu.edu.pl
Lecturer position adiunkt
Faculty Faculty of Biology
Semester 2021/2022 (summer)
Duration 45
ECTS 4
USOS code 01-ALGOLOG-PIE

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

• familiarizing students with the diversity, taxonomy, evolution and basic ecology of algae and cyanobacteria
• building by the students the base of practical skills in taxonomical identification of small organisms (algae and cyanobacteria)

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Syllabus

Week 1: Diversity and biology of algae and cyanobacteria
Week 2: Position on the tree of life, origin and evolution of algae and cyanobacteria.
Week 3: Taxonomy and evolution of algae.
Week 4: Taxonomy and evolution of algae (part 2), and links to higher plants. Week 5: Concepts of species in the taxonomy of algae and cyanobacteria. Diagnostic features of higher and lower taxonomical levels of algae and cyanobacteria.
Week 6: Identifying cyanobacteria – diagnostic features, use of specialistic keys – microscopic workshop.
Week 7: Identifying euglenophytes and cryptophytes – diagnostic features, use of specialistic keys – microscopic workshop.
Week 8: Identifying golden algae – diagnostic features, use of specialistic keys – microscopic workshop.
Week 9: Identifying diatoms – diagnostic features, use of specialistic keys – microscopic workshop.
Week 10: Identifying diatoms – diagnostic features, use of specialistic keys – microscopic workshop.
Week 11: Identifying green algae – diagnostic features, use of specialistic keys – microscopic workshop.
Week 12: Identifying green algae – diagnostic features, use of specialistic keys – microscopic workshop.
Week 13: Dealing with field samples of algae (part 1) –microscopic work.
Week 14: Dealing with field samples of algae (part 2) – microscopic work.
Week 15: Summary – evaluation of practical skills.

Reading list

Wehr J. D., Sheath R., G., Kociolek J. P., 2014: Freshwater Algae of North America. Ecology and Classification. In: Aquatic Ecology, Academic Press,ISBN 9780127415505, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-741550-5.X5000-4 - selected chapters.

Carter-Lund H., Lund J. W. G., 1995: Freshwater algae. Their microscopic world explored. Biopress Ltd., Bristol. ISBN 0-948737-25-5. - additional reading, selectes chapters

Komárek, J. (2016). A polyphasic approach for the taxonomy of cyanobacteria: principles and applications. European Journal of Phycology, 51(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2016.1163738.

McCourt, R. M., Delwiche, C. F., & Karol, K. G. (2004). Charophyte algae and land plant origins. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 19(12), 661–666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2004.09.013

Keys to each taxonomical group will be provided to students at the begging at the course.