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 , 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

Class 6 Order Dorylaimida

Class 7 Order

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