Entomology provides an overview of arthropods (mainly chelicerates, crustaceans and insects), regarding to its origin, diversity, anatomical and physiological characteristics, as well as interactions with other living beings. It is based on systematic, detailing special features of each order, with special emphasis on those with applied interest. Biodiversity is developed from the interaction of arthropods with other groups, plants and animals. Special awareness will be taken to the study of pests, mainly in agriculture and forestry, as well as the different methods used for its control, as well as to those of medicine, veterinary and forensic interest.



As prerequisite, student should have studied Zoology, Botany and Ecology. These three disciplines are close related to Entomology.



Arthropods are basic in the dynamics and balance of any ecosystem and worldwide distributed. Its knowledge is basic for those who wish to develop as professionals in the management of natural environments, agriculture or health disciplines.

COMPETENCES

1.- Proper use of the scientific terminology and basic concepts of Entomology.

2.- Identification of the arthropod body plans, their morphology and organization levels.

3.- Analysis of the most relevant adaptations to the environment and main biological differences.

4.- Understanding the biological diversity at the level of class, order and family.

5.- Analysis of evolutionary processes using the most relevant morphological structures. Understanding of phylogenetic hypothesis.

6.- Identify different taxa within Arthropoda, their importance in natural communities and ecosystems, as well as the main economic and health related roles.

7.- Understanding the basis related to the management and conservation of endangered arthropods.

8.- Be able to find information related to applied aspects or arthropods and write a technical report to present orally during a session.



RESULTS OF LEARNING

1. Uses correctly the terminology for describing the different arthropod bauplans, their life cycles and the main apparatuses, identifying the most important taxa.

2. Identifies correctly the organisms from the main groups, in terms of diversity, based on their morphology to the levels of phylum and class.

3. Interpretes correctly the ecomorphological relations in an adaptive evolutionary context.

4. Is able to understand the different phylogenetic proposals regarding morphological and physiological traits in and adaptive evolutionary context.

5. Is able to carry out a whole report about a specific subject.

6. Uses and cites correctly the available literature in a written report.

First Part: Arthropoda, concept and structure. The cuticle, integument, muscles. Segmentation and tagmata. Cephalization. Movement. Internal anatomy. Reproduction. Development. Life cycles. Systematics.

Second Part: Chelicerates: Morphology, reproduction, development, biology and systematics. Xiphosura. Eurypterida. Scorpionida. Arachnida; body plan and diversity. Pycnogonida.

Third Part: Myriapoda, body plan and diversity. Reproduction, development, biology and systematics. Pauropoda. Symphyla. Diplopoda. Chilopoda.

Fourth Part: Crustacea: Introduction, morphology, reproduction, development, biology and systematics. Cephalocarida. Remipedia. Mystacocarida. Branchiopoda. Ostracoda. Copepoda. Cirripedia. Branchiura. Malacostraca, body plan and diversity.

Fifth Part: Hexapoda: Introduction. Body plan and diversity. Reproduction and development. Main hexapoda orders. Insects related to edaphic environment. Aquatic Insects. Plant-insect interactions. Predation. Symbiosis. Social Insects.

Sixth part: methods and techniques of arthropod quantification.

Seventh part: legal framework of the conservation of endangered arthropods.



SEMINARS



1.- Spider silk, structure and applications

2.- Mites of health interest. Ticks

3.- Allergies produced by mites

4.- Crustaceans of economic interest A. Freshwater crab culture

5.- Crustaceans of economic interest B. Marine culture. Shrimps

6.- The conquest of land by crustaceans

7.- Insect flight

8.- Insects and plants, coevolutionary process

9.- Social Insects: A. Termites.

10.- Social Insects: B. Bees and wasps.

11.- Social Insects: C. Ants.

12.- Medical entomology: A. Malaria.

13.- Medical entomology: B. Tse-tse fly.

14.- Medical entomology: C. Myiasis

15.- Forensic Entomology.

16.- Insects as wood pests.

17.- Mimicry in insects.

18.- Indoor pests.

19.- Beneficial arthropods in Agriculture.

20.- Evolution of arthropods: Common ancestor or convergent evolution .

21.- Insects as human food.



PRACTICAL SESSIONS

Session 1.- Chelicerata: Scorpions. Spiders. Mites.

Session 2.- Crustacea: Cirripedia . Eucarida. Decapoda.

Session 3.- Hexapoda: Orthoptera. Hemiptera. Coleoptera. Hymenoptera. Diptera



FIELD SESSIONS (3 days)

a. Sampling methods to study insect diversity and sampling design to quantify populations.

b. Identification of the main insect orders and species using guides.

Master classes for the development of basic concepts complemented by documentaries on their origin,

evolution and biology.

Field activities (3 days) allow student to develop skills in sampling techniques.

Laboratory activities under supervision for the identification of diagnostic structures and the adequate management of ID keys.

Seminars: The individual work should be structured as Index, Introduction, Results, Discussion, Conclusions and Bibliography. Oral presentation should be extended around 25 minutes (ppt or similar). Topics will be randomly distributed. Presentation dates will be arranged at the beginning of the semester.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 19
  • Multiple-Choice Test (%): 45
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 12
  • Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 12
  • Exhibition of works, readings ... (%): 12

Assessment criteria of the ordinary exam:



THEORY: Test (50 questions, 45%). Definitions (4%). Question relating concepts (4%). Two questions for writting (11%).



PRACTICAL: Lab practices (report) 12%. Seminar 12%. Field practices (report) 12%.



In both theory and practical sections a minimum score of 3.5 is needed.



During the development of the exam, the use of books, notes, as well as telephone, electronic devices as computers by the students or any other technical assistance will be prohibited. [Only calculator may be allowed]. In case of any dishonest or fraudulent practice, the UPV/EHU protocol on academic ethics and prevention of dishonest or fraudulent practices in the evaluation tests and academic work will be applied.



Declining to seat will be automatically marked as “exam not taken” that equals to a renounce of the call.

Assessment criteria of the ordinary exam:



THEORY: Test (50 questions, 45%). Definitions (4%). Question relating concepts (4%). Two questions for writting (11%).



PRACTICAL: Lab practices (report) 12%. Seminar 12%. Field practices (report) 12%.



In both theory and practical sections a minimum score of 3.5 is needed.

During the development of the exam, the use of books, notes, as well as telephone, electronic devices as computers by the students or any other technical assistance will be prohibited. [Only calculator may be allowed]. In case of any dishonest or fraudulent practice, the UPV / EHU protocol on academic ethics and prevention of dishonest or fraudulent practices in the evaluation tests and academic work will be applied.

Those used in the virtual platform eGela as well as those available in the lab and field sessions.

Basic bibliography

BARNES R.S.K., CALOW P., OLIVE P.J.W. 1988. The Invertebrates: a new synthesis. Blackwell Sci Publ, Oxford.

BOUDREAUX H.B. 1979. Arthropod Phylogeny with special reference to Insects. John Wiley & Sons.

BRUSCA R.C, GIRIBET G., MOORE Wendy 2022. Invertebrates. 4th edition. Oxford University Press.

FOX R.M., FOX J.W 1964. Introduction to Comparative Entomology. Chapman & Hall.3. Invertebrate Zoology: A Functional Evolutionary Approach. Brooks & Cole Pub. Co.

GILLOT C. 1980. Entomology. Plenum Press.

GULLAN P.J., CRANSTON P.S. 2005. The Insects. An Outline of Entomology. Blackwell Pub.

GUPTA A.P. (ED) 1979. Arthropod Phylogeny. Van Nostry Reinhold.

KAESTNER A. 1968. Invertebrate zoology. Vols 1, 2. Interscience Publishers.

RICHARDS O.W., DAVIS R.G. 1984. Imm's General Textbook of Entomology. Chapman & Hall Ltd.

ROSS H.H., ROSS C.A., ROSS J.R.P. 1982. A Textbook of Entomology. JohnWiley and Sons.

RUPPERT E.E., FOX R.S., BARNES R.D. 2004. Invertebrate Zoology. Thomson. Brooks/Cole.

BRUSCA R.C., BRUSCA G.J. 1990. Invertebrates. Sinauer Assoc.Inc.Publ.

TRIPPLEHORN C.A., JOHNSON N.F. S. 2005. Borror and Delong’s Introduction to the Study of Insects. Thomson Brooks/Cole.

In-depth bibliography

BOURTZIS K., MILLER T.A. Insect Symbiosis. CRC Press.
CLARKE, K.U. 1973. The Biology of Arthropoda. American Elsevier.
CHAPMAN, R.F. 1982. The Insects. Structure and Function. Hodder and Stougthon, 3ª ed.
CHENG, T.C. 1986. General Parasitology. Academic Press.
ELZINGA, R.J. 1981. Fundamentals of Entomology. Prentice-Hall Inc.
GENNARD D.E. 2007. Forensic Entomology. An Introduction. Wiley
GILBERT, P. 1990. Entomology. A Guide to Information Sources. Mansell.
JEANNEL, R. 1960. Introduction to Entomology. Hutchinson.
KRANTZ G.W. WALTER D.E. 2009. A Manual of Acarology. Texas Tech. Eniv. Press.
MANTON, S.M. 1977. The Arthropoda. Habits, functional morphologand and evolution. Claredon Press.
MEGLITSCH, P., SCHRAM, F.R. 1991. Invertebrate Zoology. Oxford Univ.Press.
MULLEN. G., DURDEN L. 2002 Medical and Veterinary Entomology. Academic Press.
ROBINSON W. 2005. Urban Insects and Arachnids. A Handbook of Urban Entomology. Cambridge Univ. Press.
SAVORY, T.H. 1977. Arachnida. Academic Press.
SCHMIDT, G.D., ROBERTS, L.S. 1985. Foundations of Parasitology. Times Mirror, Mosband Coll. Publ.
SPEIGHT M.R., HUNTER, M.D., WATT, A.D. 1999. Ecology of Insects. Concepts and Applications. Blackwell Science.
WOOLLEY, T.A. 1988. Acarology. Mites and Human Welfare. Wiley.

Journals

Scientific American
Nature
Science
Lab Times

Web addresses

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/arthropoda.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/36943/arthropod
http://tolweb.org/arthropoda/
http://www.faunaeur.org/
http://animaldiversitand.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Arthropoda.html