Paleobotany, as based on Botany 1300-OPBB4W
This course begins with the review of basic terms used in botanical studies, especially in plant anatomy, plant geography and plant systematic.
Deposition and fossilization of plants and post-depositional processes.
Origin of life in the Precambrian. Elaboration and evolution of lower plants in the Lower Paleozoicum with special attention to red algae and Charales. Plants invade the lands - fossil record, molecular evidence, key reasons. Radiation of early land plants. Herbaceous lycopods of the Devonian, radiation in Carbonaceous – arborescent forms. Carbonaceous coal swamps.
Trimerophytes, Sphenophytes. Ferns – first, extinct forms, carbonaceous ferns, birth of the modern fern. Seed habit. Progymnospermopsida, seed ferns. Cordaites and Mesozoic and Cenozoic conifers. Cycads and Bennettitales evolution. Ginkos radiation. Origin of angiosperms and the first fossils. Angiosperm evolution and distribution in the upper Cretaceous.
Major events in plant evolution.
Evolution of the Quaternary flora.
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
During this course students will get knowledge about the evolutionary history of the particular systematic groups of plants and the key events in the evolution of plant - land invasion, the origin of seed habit, origin of angiosperms.
Assessment criteria
Students have to attend lectures and take notes. Passing a course (as well as a re-sit examination) - a positive grade of the dissertation is required for passing. To get a credit students have to attend lectures (min 75%).
Additional information
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