Diversity of Vascular Plants

This course offers an evolutionary history,  origin and diversification of vascular land plants through geological time scale. Land plants that will be discussed includedifferent  genera & species of various groups of Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms with emphasis on representative fossil and living taxa. Lectures will also be emphasized on life histories and morphological features,  related adaptations, ecology & phylogenetic relationship,. The laboratory will provide ample hands-on opportunities for analysis of diversification of Vascular plants from various habitat to undetstand the morphology, reproductive mechanisms, evolutionary adaptations, and identification of a variety of living plants and preserved fossils.

On Completion of this Course students will be able

• To understand the phylogeny from Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperm

• To understand the stelar evolution, leaf evolution and various theories regarding seed formation habit in Pteridophytes

• To gain knowledge about life cycles of pteridophytes ,  gymnosperm and angiosperm species.

• Explanation regarding fossils and fossilization

 • Understanding about Geological time scale

Readings/Bibliography

  1. Maarten J., Christenhusz, M., Michael F., (2017). Chase, plants of the world: an illustrated encyclopedia of vascular plants. Kew publishing.
  2. Maarten J., Christenhusz, M., Michael F. & Byng, J.W. (2018). Plant gateway’s the global flora: a practical flora to vascular plant species of the world. Plant Gateway Limited.
  3. Hobohm, C., ( 2016). Endomism in vascular plants. Columbia University Press, New York
  4. Zotz, G., Plants on plants – the biology of vascular epiphytes. SIPS.
  5. Bowcutt, F. & Hamman, S., (2016). Vascular plants of the south sound prairies. Evergreen State College Greener Bookstore .

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Sessional+Presentations: 10

Practicals: 15

Mid Term Exam: 30 

Final Exam: 45

Weekly Lecture Plan

 

Weeks

Course Contents

Dates

1
  1. Pteridophytes:

Introduction, origin, history, features and a generalized life cycle.

w.e.f; September 2021

2

Methods of fossilization, types of fossils

 

3

Geological time scale and importance of paleobotany

 

4

First vascular plant - Rhyniophyta e.g. Cooksonia

 

5

General characters, classification, affinities and comparative account of evolutionary trends of the following phyla: Psilopsida (Psilotum), Lycopsida (Lycopodium, Selaginella), Sphenopsida (Equisetum), Pteropsida (Ophioglossum, Dryopteris and Azolla/Marsilea).

 

6

General characters, classification, affinities and comparative account of evolutionary trends of the following phyla: Psilopsida (Psilotum), Lycopsida (Lycopodium, Selaginella), Sphenopsida (Equisetum), Pteropsida (Ophioglossum, Dryopteris and Azolla/Marsilea).

 

7

General characters, classification, affinities and comparative account of evolutionary trends of the following phyla: Psilopsida (Psilotum), Lycopsida (Lycopodium, Selaginella), Sphenopsida (Equisetum), Pteropsida (Ophioglossum, Dryopteris and Azolla/Marsilea).

 

8

b) Origin and Evolution of seed habit

 

9

     Mid-Term

 

10

c) Gymnosperms:

Geological history, origin, distribution, morphology, anatomy, classification and affinities of Cycadofillicales, Bennettitales, Ginkgoales, Cycadales, Coniferales, and Gnetales.

 

11

c) Gymnosperms:

Geological history, origin, distribution, morphology, anatomy, classification and affinities of Cycadofillicales, Bennettitales, Ginkgoales, Cycadales, Coniferales, and Gnetales.

 

12

c) Gymnosperms:

Geological history, origin, distribution, morphology, anatomy, classification and affinities of Cycadofillicales, Bennettitales, Ginkgoales, Cycadales, Coniferales, and Gnetales.

 

13

Distribution of gymnosperms in Pakistan.

 

14

Economic importance of gymnosperms.

 

15

d) Angiosperms:

Origin, general characteristics, Importance, and life cycle of angiosperms

 

16

e) Palynology:

An introduction to Neopalynology and Paleopalynology, its applications in botany, geology, archaeology, criminology, medicines, honey and oil and gas exploration.

 

17

Basic information about the nomenclature, morphology and classification of living and fossil pollen and spores

 

18

Final Term

 

Lab Outline                                                                                      

  1. To study the morphological and reproductive features of available genera.
  2. Study trips to different parts of Pakistan for the collection and identification of important pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms.
  3. Study of pollen morphology

Possible outcome of learning this course

The students will be able to identify major groups of Vascular plants and compare the characteristics of ferns and fern allies and higher (angiosperms and gymnosperms) plants.

  •  Students will be able to use the evidence based comparative botany approaches to explain the evolution of  diverse group of Pteridophytes
  • Students will be able to understand adaptation, development and behavior of different forms of plant  life.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate the experimental techniques and methods relevant to diversity of vascular plants.

Course Material

Other Courses by Dr. Kafeel Ahmad