PTERIDOPHYTES, GYMNOSPERMS AND PALAEOBOTANY

Paper Code: 
DBOT 801
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to –

  1. To provide relevant information about Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms along with their evolutionary history, their phylogenetic relationships and fossil wealth of the world and economic importance of selected forms.
  2. To impart theoretical as well as practical knowledge on the higher plant forms of taxonomic hierarchy
  3. To ascertain the importance of fossilization in order to relate life forms of earlier era

 

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course Outcome

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

 
 

On completion of this course, the students will be able to:

CO96: Demonstrate an understanding of Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Fossils

CO97: Develop critical understanding on morphology, anatomy and reproduction of Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms

CO98: Understanding of plant evolution and their transition to land habitat.

CO99: Demonstrate proficiency in the experimental techniques and methods of appropriate analysis of Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms

CO100: To develop an understanding of various fossilized forms, their techniques of preservation and the geological environment of those times.

Class Hours

Seminars

Tutorials

Group discussions and Workshops

Question preparation

 

 

 

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

  
 

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Pteridophytes I:
Pteridophytes I: General characters, classification, telome theory, stelar system and evolution of stele, apogamy, apospory, origin of seed habit and heterospory.

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Gymnosperm I

Gymnosperm I: Introduction, general characters, classification, evolution of gymnosperms, distribution of gymnosperms in India, affinities of gymnosperms with angiosperms, pteridophytes and pteridosperms and economic importance.

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Pteridophytes II

Pteridophytes II: General characters, classification, structure, economic importance and life history of-

Psilopsida: Tmesipteris                                                       

Lycopsida: Selaginella, Isoetes

Sphenopsida: Equisetum

Pteropsida: Osmunda, Adiantum                                                                                                                    

12.00
Unit IV: 
Gymnosperm II:

Gymnosperm II: General account of gymnosperms with reference to morphology, anatomy and reproduction of the following:

Cycadales – Zamia

Ginkgoales-Ginkgo,

Coniferales - Cedrus, Araucaria

Taxales- Taxus

Ephedrales – Ephedra

Welwitschiales -Welwitschia

Gnetales - Gnetum.

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Palaeobotany:

Palaeobotany: Types of fossils, geological time scale.

Brief account of the following fossils: Horneophytales (Horneophyton), Psilophytales (Psilophyton) and Zosterophyllales (Zosterophyllum). Pteridospermales: (Lyginopteris); Cycadeoidales: (Cycadeoidea); Cordaitales: (Cordaites) and Pentoxylales: (Pentoxylon). Contribution of Birbal Sahani in Palaeobotany, National Institute of Palaeobotany 

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Bhatnagar, S.P., Moitra, A. (1996). Gymnosperms. India: New Age International Limited.
  • Sharma, O. (2012). Pteridophyta. (n.p.): Tata McGraw-Hill.
  • Singh, S.K. (2008). Gymnosperms and Palaeobotany. India: Campus Books International.
  • Biswas, C., Johri, B. (2013). The Gymnosperms. Germany: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
  • Surange, K.R. (1966). Indian Fossil Pteridophytes. India: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research.
  • Rashid, A. (1999). An Introduction to Pteridophyta: Diversity, Development, Differentiation. India: Vikas Publishing House.
  • Pandey, S.N., Misra, SP., Trivedi, PS. (1972). A Textbook of Botany: Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms and paleobotany. India: Vikas Publishing House.
  • Vashishta, P.C. (2010). Botany for Degree Students Gymnosperms. India: S Chand and Company.

 

References: 

Suggested Readings:

  • Anderson, H.M., Cleal, C.J., Anderson, J.M. (2007). Brief History of the Gymnosperms: Classification, Biodiversity, Phytogeography and Ecology. South Africa: South African National Biodiversity Institute.
  • Chamberlain, C.J. (2018). Gymnosperms: Structure and Evolution (Classic Reprint). United States: Fb&c Limited.
  • Charles J., Chamberlain M; Coulter, J. (2019). Morphology of Gymnosperms. India: Alpha Editions.
  • Sporne, K.R. (2015). The Morphology of Gymnosperms.  (n.p.): Scientific Publishers.
  • Donovan SN. (1991). The Processes of Fossilization. . United Kingdom: Columbia University Press.
  • Lugardon, B., Tryon, AF. (2012). Spores of the Pteridophyta: Surface, Wall Structure, and Diversity Based on Electron Microscope Studies. United States: Springer New York.

 

e-Resources:

 

Journals:

  • Cryptogamie, Mycologie, (Museum National d’Historie natuelle, Paris)
  • International Journal of Plant Science (The University of Chicago Press Journals)
  • The Plant Journal (Wiley Online Library)
  • Plant Science (Elsevier)
  • American Journal of Botany (Wiley)

 

Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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