Zooculture
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course will consider the rearing systems of poultry excluded from intensive production and those related to birds reared for hunting and restocking; the anatomy of aquatic species and the aquaculture systems of cultured fish for enhancing stocks, with principles of inland water ecology; the rearing systems of lagomorphs. The main biological characteristics, the rearing cycles and related problems of the different genetic resources will be presented and discussed.
Expected learning outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding. The student will acquire knowledge of the avifauna farming systems bred for hunting or repopulation purposes; knowledge of methods of reproduction and breeding of fish for the purpose of repopulation, with notions of ecology of inland waters; knowledge of lagomorphs breeding systems. Furthermore, the student will be aware of the importance of acquiring a specific technical terminology indispensable for correct communication in the professional sector.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding. The student will acquire skills and abilities to manage avifauna farming, lagomorphs and fish species of conservation interest and will be able to correctly define and frame practical problems related to the reproduction and conservation of these animal species.
3. Making judgments - The student must be able to apply the theoretical knowledge for the identification of breeds within species and for the assessment of different factors according to the different productive systems: facilities, environment, critical/strength points. The student must acquire ability of critical analysis of the information studied and be able to relate different factors to provide correct assessments.
4. Communication: The student will developed the ability to use the appropriate terminology, according to the information provided in lectures and practices.
5. Lifelong learning skills: the reasoning skills and the notions and methodologies acquired during the classes should allow the student to continue autonomously the study and the lifelong updating the knowledge in the field.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding. The student will acquire skills and abilities to manage avifauna farming, lagomorphs and fish species of conservation interest and will be able to correctly define and frame practical problems related to the reproduction and conservation of these animal species.
3. Making judgments - The student must be able to apply the theoretical knowledge for the identification of breeds within species and for the assessment of different factors according to the different productive systems: facilities, environment, critical/strength points. The student must acquire ability of critical analysis of the information studied and be able to relate different factors to provide correct assessments.
4. Communication: The student will developed the ability to use the appropriate terminology, according to the information provided in lectures and practices.
5. Lifelong learning skills: the reasoning skills and the notions and methodologies acquired during the classes should allow the student to continue autonomously the study and the lifelong updating the knowledge in the field.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Prerequisites for admission
There are no mandatory prerequisites, but basic knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of domestic animals is required.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an interview in which the students are asked to answer to questions demonstrating their subject knowledge. Questions will reflect the content of the lecture and exercise program. The purpose of the examination is to test knowledge of the subject and the extent to which skills have been acquired.
Poultry, fish and lagomorphs rearing
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide students with a theoretical-practical knowledge of bird breeding both for hunting and conservation purposes and gives basic notions on biology, behavior and management techniques of the main species (pheasant, partridge, quail, etc.).
Lessons will follow the following scheduling:
Introduction (2 hours)
Conservation (2 hours)
Management and welfare (3 hours)
Pheasant (3 hours)
Partridge (3 hours)
Quail (3 hours)
The part related to aquatic species teaches the basic principles of fish farming, stock enhancement and ecology of inland water. In particular, the following topics will be covered:
The lake environment: types of lakes, trophic status of waters, lake zones (2 hours);
The river environment: the river continuum from the source to the mouth (2 hours);
Techniques of artificial fish reproduction (2 hours);
Techniques for stock enhancement and management of freshwater fish resources (2 hours);
Trout farming and other salmonids (4 hours);
Sturgeon farming (2 hours);
The biology and farming of eels (2 hours).
Educational visits to fish farms and hatcheries (8 hours).
The part devoted to lagomorphs aims to impart the theoretical and practical notions related to the classification and morphology of the main breeds of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and of hare (Lepus europeus). Furthermore, the course aims to provide the student with a theoretical-practical knowledge of the management of the rabbit and the hare raised for amateur and wildlife-hunting purposes, in comparison with intensive breeding, in compliance with current legislation relating to animal welfare. Lessons will follow the following scheduling:
Introduction to lagomorphs (3 hours)
Genus Lepus and bred species (3 hours)
Wild rabbit and Sylvilagus (1 hour)
Management and welfare (2 hours)
Domestic rabbit ethnology (3 hours)
Domestic rabbit breeders' management (2 hours)
Domestic rabbit husbandry and welfare (2 hours)
Lessons will follow the following scheduling:
Introduction (2 hours)
Conservation (2 hours)
Management and welfare (3 hours)
Pheasant (3 hours)
Partridge (3 hours)
Quail (3 hours)
The part related to aquatic species teaches the basic principles of fish farming, stock enhancement and ecology of inland water. In particular, the following topics will be covered:
The lake environment: types of lakes, trophic status of waters, lake zones (2 hours);
The river environment: the river continuum from the source to the mouth (2 hours);
Techniques of artificial fish reproduction (2 hours);
Techniques for stock enhancement and management of freshwater fish resources (2 hours);
Trout farming and other salmonids (4 hours);
Sturgeon farming (2 hours);
The biology and farming of eels (2 hours).
Educational visits to fish farms and hatcheries (8 hours).
The part devoted to lagomorphs aims to impart the theoretical and practical notions related to the classification and morphology of the main breeds of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and of hare (Lepus europeus). Furthermore, the course aims to provide the student with a theoretical-practical knowledge of the management of the rabbit and the hare raised for amateur and wildlife-hunting purposes, in comparison with intensive breeding, in compliance with current legislation relating to animal welfare. Lessons will follow the following scheduling:
Introduction to lagomorphs (3 hours)
Genus Lepus and bred species (3 hours)
Wild rabbit and Sylvilagus (1 hour)
Management and welfare (2 hours)
Domestic rabbit ethnology (3 hours)
Domestic rabbit breeders' management (2 hours)
Domestic rabbit husbandry and welfare (2 hours)
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures, seminars and practical sessions. In addition, technical visits to wild-life-hunting management companies, hatcheries and fish farms will be carried out. Sometimes, participation to conferences is foreseen.
Teaching Resources
The materials used for the lectures are available on the Ariel portal.
For the part relating to the lagomorphs, additional material consists of articles and reviews on topics relating to the Lepus and Oryctolagus genera are available on the teacher's Ariel website.
For a deeper knowledge of aquatic species the following book is recommended: Galassi S., Crosa G., Roberta B. Ecology of inland waters, Ed. CittàStudi.
For the part relating to the lagomorphs, additional material consists of articles and reviews on topics relating to the Lepus and Oryctolagus genera are available on the teacher's Ariel website.
For a deeper knowledge of aquatic species the following book is recommended: Galassi S., Crosa G., Roberta B. Ecology of inland waters, Ed. CittàStudi.
Anatomy of fish
Course syllabus
The module provides 16 hours of frontal teaching and aims to teach to the students the theoretical-practical notions and the fundamental concepts relating to the classification, morphology, anatomy, embryonic and larval development of fish species of interest, so that they can adequately follow the topics pertinent to the farming of aquatic species. The fish, while following an organizational model common to all vertebrates, have important specializations in relation to life in the aquatic environment, which must be known and correctly framed. The description of the morphological and anatomical aspects will be accompanied by an illustration of the functional considerations.
Frontal lessons (16 hours):
1. Integumentary system: skin with specializations (2 hours)
2. Musculoskeletal system
a. organization of the axialskeleton with pectoral girdle, pelvic girdle and paired and unpaired fins (2 hours)
b. organization of the muscles (1 hour)
3. Digestive system
a. Oral cavity, esophagus, stomach and proximal distal intestine in carnivorous and herbivorous fish (2 hours)
4. Cardiocirculatory system
a. heart and systemic circulation (1 hour)
5. Respiratory system
a. Gills organization (2 hours)
b. Swim bladder (1 hour)
6. Urinary system (2 hours)
7. Male genital system (1 hour)
8. Female genital system (1 hour)
9. Teleosts of interest for aquaculture (1 hour)
Frontal lessons (16 hours):
1. Integumentary system: skin with specializations (2 hours)
2. Musculoskeletal system
a. organization of the axialskeleton with pectoral girdle, pelvic girdle and paired and unpaired fins (2 hours)
b. organization of the muscles (1 hour)
3. Digestive system
a. Oral cavity, esophagus, stomach and proximal distal intestine in carnivorous and herbivorous fish (2 hours)
4. Cardiocirculatory system
a. heart and systemic circulation (1 hour)
5. Respiratory system
a. Gills organization (2 hours)
b. Swim bladder (1 hour)
6. Urinary system (2 hours)
7. Male genital system (1 hour)
8. Female genital system (1 hour)
9. Teleosts of interest for aquaculture (1 hour)
Teaching methods
Face-to-face lessons in the classroom also with the aid of 3D models for the study of the various anatomical apparatuses of the course.
Teaching Resources
The online course is active on the University's ARIEL portal.
Recommended text: Biology of fish, Bone and Moore (editors). Taylor and Francis Group, USA, UK (ISBN: 978 0 415 37562 7).
Recommended text: Biology of fish, Bone and Moore (editors). Taylor and Francis Group, USA, UK (ISBN: 978 0 415 37562 7).
Anatomy of fish
VET/01 - VETERINARY ANATOMY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 16 hours
Professor:
Di Giancamillo Alessia
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Di Giancamillo Alessia
Poultry, fish and lagomorphs rearing
AGR/20 - AQUACULTURE, POULTRY AND RABBIT SCIENCE - University credits: 8
Practicals: 48 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment
Lodi - Via dell'Università 6 - 26900 - Lodi (LO)
Reception:
The teacher is happy to help students after a requested appointment by email
Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi