NEMATODE TAXONOMY AND SYSTEMATICS NEM 6102
Course Format: 1 hour lecture, 2 hour lab
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Tesfamariam Mengistu (Tesfa), email: [email protected]
Course Description:
NEM 6102 will provide an introduction to history of nematode taxonomy, recent nematode taxonomy and systematics methods
Learn classical and modern identification techniques
Expected Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, student will be able to:
Possess theoretical and practical background in nematode taxonomy and systematics
Acquainted with classical and modern methods in nematode taxonomy
Appreciate the importance of nematode systematics
Recognize the value of nematode systematics
Comprehends the role of classical and modern methods in nematode systematics
Reference Books (available to borrow from my lab):
The Biology of Nematodes, Donald Lee, 2002
Dorylaimida: free-living, predaceous and plant-parasitic nematodes. Jairajpuri and Ahmad, 1992
A taxonomic review of the suborder Rhabditida. Andrassy, 1983
Peer reviewed taxonomy articles (provided by the instructor)
Evaluation
Non-period evaluation (10%): Evaluation of the guided lab sessions and independent practical task
Period evaluation (90%): on all elements of the theoretical part of the course by a written (80%)
Grading scale A 90 - 100 points B+ 88 - 89 points B 80 - 87 points C+ 78 - 79 points C 70 - 77 points D 60 - 69 points E <60
Exams (Mid and final): All exams will be comprehensive but will emphasize material covered during lectures. All exams will be written and will include short answer and essay questions.
Laboratory Exercises: Lab reports and permanent slides of at least 10 different genera of nematodes
Project: New species description (using morphology and molecular methods); taxonomic paper review and critic.
Lecture schedule
Class 1 General taxonomy and systematics
Class 2 Higher nematode taxonomy and systematics ( nomenclature)
Class 3 How to write a taxonomy paper
Class 4 Order Rhabditida
Class 5 Order Triplonchida
Class 6 Order Dorylaimida
Class 7 Order Mononchida
Class 8 Midterm exam
Class 9 Identification guides for the most common genera of plant parasitic nematodes
Class 10 Identification guides for the most common species of plant parasitic nematodes
Class 11 Insect parasitic nematodes: Order Mermithida, Oxyurida
Class 12 Molecular phylogeny and systematics I
Class 13 Molecular phylogeny and systematics II
Class 14 Final exam
Lab Schedule
Lab 1 Introduction
Lab 2 Identification exercise: higher level classifications
Lab 3 Data mining in taxonomic paper writing
Lab 4 Sample processing: fixation, mounting, permanent slides
Lab 5 Order Rhabditida lab exercise I
Lab 6 Order Rhabditida lab exercise II
Lab 7 Order Triplonchida lab exercise
Lab 8 Mid-term exam
Lab 9 Order Dorylaimida lab exercise
Lab 10 Order Mononchida lab exercise
Lab 11 Identification of entomopathogenic nematodes
Lab 12 Molecular methods (DNA extraction, PCR, cloning)
Lab 13 Molecular methods (Sequencing, phylogeny and common bioinformatics methods)
Lab 14 Final exam