PLANT DIVERSITY (2) BDC221

PLANT DIVERSITY (2)  Higher plant nomenclature, identification and classification  Cladistic methodology  Classification systems and modern approaches to Angiosperm classification  Characters of Taxonomic importance in higher plants  Fynbos families

PLANT DIVERSITY (ANGIOSPERMS) BDC 221 (2)

THEORY 2. PLANT NOMENCLATURE: 1. INTRODUCTION: Overview; course specifics Author citations, typification, priority of names ICBN 3. PLANT IDENTIFICATION:Keys: purpose, guidelines and strategies Concepts (characters, homology/homoplasy, morphoclines, polarity, constructing a char/taxon matrix using plant characters. 4. CLADISTIC METHODOLOGY 1: 5. CLADISTIC METHODOLOGY 2: Tree building and optimisation 6. CLADISTIC METHODOLOGY 3:Exercises in tree building 7. CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS 1: Traditional vs modern systems 8. CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS 2: Discussion on Chase’s classification (research paper) based on cladistic methodology

9. SOURCES OF TAXONOMIC IMPORTANCE 1:Plant morphological and anatomical features 10. SOURCES OF TAXONOMIC IMPORTANCE 2:Molecular characters 11. PLANT DIVERSITY IN FYNBOS:Overview of important fynbos plant families 12. ERICACEAE: Diagnostic features, systematics, floral adaptations, evolution 13. PROTEACEAE: Diagnostic features, distribution, classification, economic uses 14. RUTACEAE/ POLYGALACEAE: Field recognition, size, distribution and general information, economic importance 15. ORDER FABALES: Classification, field recognition of different families, Mimosaceae, Caesalpiniaceae and Fabaceae:Discussion on Polygalaceae vs. Fabaceae.

16. GERANIACEAE, OXALIDACEAE, SCROPHULARICAE:Field recognition, description, evolution 17. ASTERACEAE, LAMIACEAE: Field recognition, pollination, evolution. 18. GRASSES, SEDGES AND REEDS: Field recognition, description and evolution. ASSIGNMENT 1 : A ONE PAGE SUMMARY: Using the Library’s interactive search for journal articles, search 5 relevant journal articles on any topic relating to identification or classification. Write a one page summary summarising the 5 journal articles (note: the summary should be a combined summary and not a summary of the individual articles). ASSIGNMENT 2: ESSAY WORDS: Use one of the journal articles and write an essay of about words on the topic. Your essay should have an introduction, materials and methods, results, a discussion and a reference list. References should follow the “Council of Science Editors (CSE)” format.

1. QUANTITATIVE DATA vs QUALITATIVE DATA: PRACTICALS 2. LEAF IDENTIFICATION:Vegetative leaf key exercise Leaf data: length, width, range, mean, median; line graphs: Shape, margin, apex, base, etc. 3. FLOWER IDENTIFICATION:Exploring reproductive features in a key 4. KEY CONSTRUCTION: Constructing own key using vegetative and reproductive characters 5. CLADISTIC EXERCISE: Determining phylogenies in plants using Hennig86 6.LEAF STEM AND ROOT ANATOMY Microscope work: Apical meristems, secondary growth 7. ERICACEAE Morphological studies of various genera and species. Datasheets to record features, drawings, questions at the end of the practical.

10. PETALOID MONOCOTS Morphological studies of various genera and species. Datasheets to record features, drawings, questions at the end of the practical. 11.GRASSES, SEDGES AND REEDS Morphological studies of various genera and species. Datasheets to record features, drawings, questions at the end of the practical. 12. PRACTICAL TEST 8. PROTEACEAE Morphological studies of various genera and species. Datasheets to record features, drawings, questions at the end of the practical. 9. ASTERACEAE Morphological studies of various genera and species. Datasheets to record features, drawings, questions at the end of the practical.

SKILLS 1. ACCESS INFORMATION 2. BASIC STATISTICS AND GRAPHS 3. USE OF IDENTIFICATION KEYS 4. READ SCIENTIFIC PAPERS 5. SCIENTIFIC METHOD 5. SCIENTIFIC REPORT WRITING