Marine Paleobiology
Code: 44791 ECTS Credits: 9| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Paleobiology and Fossil Record | OB | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Zain Belaústegui Barahona
- Email:
- Desconegut
Teachers
- Sara Tomas Lafaja
- Ramon Mercedes Martin
- Josep Sanjuan Girbau
- (External) Carles Martín Closas
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
The same as for the studies.
Objectives and Contextualisation
To demonstrate capabilities for the autonomous acquisition of information from paleontological publications in order to develop a synthesis of the most important points.
To apply a logical and coherent analysis protocol to plan and carry out a paleontological study and solve a specific problem.
To develop a teamwork to solve problems related to the paleoenvironment, assuming their responsibility in the individual contribution and integrating it into group contributions and minimizing inequalities based on sex and gender.
To manage the information acquired in a professional business environment to address and solve specific problems in the dating of marine sediments.
To act autonomously to plan and carry out professional tasks, demonstrating originality in the way of approaching and solving specific problems in hydrocarbon exploration.
To act in the development of paleontological projects with ethical responsibility and with respect for human and fundamental rights, diversity and democratic values, as well as the principles of universal accessibility and design for all people, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Learning Outcomes
- CA04 (Competence) Develop a team work to solve problems related to paleoenvironment, assuming its responsibility for individual contribution and integrating it in group contributions and minimizing sex and gender inequalities.
- CA05 (Competence) Manage the information acquired in a business professional environment in order to tackle and solve specific problems in dating marine sediments.
- CA06 (Competence) Act with autonomy in order to plan and carry out professional tasks, proving originality in the way to tackle and solve specific problems in the exploration of hydrocarbons.
- KA03 (Knowledge) Recognise the methods for studying microfossils, invertebrate fossils, and marine ichnofossils in the field, in the laboratory and in desk research.
- KA04 (Knowledge) Identify the main stages of the evolution of marine biotas (and the global biotic crises that delimit them) from the study of certain fossil associations.
- SA04 (Skill) Apply marine fossils to solve problems related to the interpretation of the palaeoenvironment, the evolution of biotas and biostratigraphy.
- SA05 (Skill) Integrate knowledge obtained in a multidisciplinary environment in palaeontology (geology, geochemistry, stratigraphy, biology) to solve evolutionary, palaeoenvironmental and biostratigraphic problems based on marine microfossils, invertebrates and ichnofossils.
- SA06 (Skill) Convey the acquired knowledge about marine fossils in a text/video/oral presentation, both for a specialised and non-specialised audience.
Content
1. Micropaleontology and biostratigraphy.
1.1. Description of the main groups of marine microfossils in the geological record (calcareous algae, foraminifera, nanofossils, etc.): morphologies, microstructures, paleoecology and evolution.
1.2. Examples of biozonations and their usefulness for correlating marine sedimentary sequences.
1.3. Application of certain groups of microfossils as daters of sedimentary rocks from the Paleozoic to the present.
2. Marine paleoenvironmental models.
2.1. Introduction to marine carbonate ‘factories’: environmental controls and parameters.
2.2. Paleoecology and paleoenvironments dominated by mollusks, echinoderms and brachiopods.
2.3. Paleoecology and paleoenvironments dominated by non-skeletal carbonates.
2.4. Use of geochemical indicators in paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic reconstructions.
2.5. Paleoecology and paleoenvironments dominated by corals.
2.6. Paleoecology and paleoenvironments dominated by sponges, brachiopods and bryozoans.
2.7. Examples of carbonate factories in fossil systems.
3. Taphonomy, paleoecology and ichnology.
3.1. Main processes and stages of taphonomic alteration; exceptionally preserved outcrops; fossil accumulations; time averaging; taphofacies.
3.2. Paleoecological analysis; population and community analysis; relationships between organisms; reciprocity pairs.
3.3. Bases and tools for the study of organism-substrate interaction; bioturbation, bioerosion and biodeposition; importance of the ichnological record in paleoecological and paleoenvironmental interpretation; ichnofabrics analysis;ichnofacies.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Exercises in class | 20 | 0.8 | CA04, CA05, SA04, CA04 |
| Master Class | 75 | 3 | KA03, SA05, KA03 |
| Simulation of a practical cases | 15 | 0.6 | CA06, SA05, CA06 |
The "Marine Paleobiology" module (9 ECTS) is made up of three blocks (two taught at the UB and one at the UAB):
• Micropaleontology and biostratigraphy (2.5 ECTS - UB)
• Marine paleoenvironmental models (3.5 ECTS - UAB)
• Taphonomy, paleoecology and ichnology (3 ECTS - UB)
Each of the blocks is organized into hybrid master classes (which may be both face-to-face and online) generally lasting 2 hours each. During the bulk of these classes, the theoretical concepts related to the three main blocks will be taught, however, more practical and/or applied exercises will also be proposed (as well as the preparation of reports) to try to consolidate the previously explained concepts.
Use of artificial intelligence (AI): For this module, the use of AI is permitted exclusively in support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text correction or translations. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with AI and specify the tools used. Non-transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a partial or total penalty in the grade of the various assessable activities, or greater sanctions in serious cases.
Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis of Scientific Papers | 20% | 10 | 0.4 | CA04, CA05, CA06, KA03, KA04, SA04, SA05, SA06 |
| Attendance and participation | 10% | 75 | 3 | SA06 |
| Exercises based on theoretical concepts | 35% | 10 | 0.4 | CA05, KA03, KA04, SA04, SA05, SA06 |
| Online exercises | 10% | 20 | 0.8 | CA04, CA05, CA06, KA03, KA04, SA04, SA05, SA06 |
Continuous assessment:
30% to 40% Theoretical/synthesis tests (could be in written or oral format).
30% to 40% Exercises based on theoretical concepts (could be in written or oral format).
The due dates for the various exercises, activities and assignments will be clearly indicated in the calendar and will be submitted through the Virtual Campus.
Grammatical and spelling errors in any of the official languages of the master's degree, as well as those resulting from incorrect use of anatomical or taxonomic terminology, will be deducted up to a maximum of 1 point from the presentation of exercises and assignments.
If the student has not completed at least one third of the continuous assessment tests during the course (e.g. assignments, exams, class activities), it will be considered that there is not enough evidence to qualify the corresponding block for continuous assessment and will be assessed only based on the remedial exam.
Revision: Students will be able to review and discuss exercises, assignments and exams with teachers on the agreed dates.
Re-evaluation: A re-evaluation period will be established at the beginning of January for the theoretical/summary tests (exams) that represent the greatest weight in the evaluation.
Bibliography
Allison, P.A. & Briggs, D.E.G. (Eds.) 1991. Taphonomy. Releasing the data locked in the fossil record. Topics in Geobiology 9, Plenum Press, 560 pp.
Armstrong, H.A. & Braiser, M.D. 2005. Microfossils (2nd Edition). Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, 296 pp.
Behrensmeyer, A.K. 2021. Taphonomy. In: Alderton, D. & Elias, S.A. (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Geology (2nd Edition), Vol. 3 / History of life, Academis Press, Elsevier, pp. 12-22.
Brett, C.E. & Speyer, S.E. 2005. Comparative taphonomy: Pattern and processes in fossil preservation. Oxford University Press, 208 pp.
Bottjer, D.J. 2016. Paleoecology. Past, Present and Future. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., UK, 222 pp.
Briggs, D.E.G. & Crowther, P.R. (Eds.) 1990. Palaeobiology. A synthesis. Blackwell Science, 583 pp.
Briggs, D.E.G. & Crowther, P.R. (Eds.) 2001. Palaeobiology II. Blackwell Publishing, 583 pp.
Buatois, L.A. & Mángano, M.G. 2011. Ichnology. Organism-substrate interactions in space and time. Cambridge University Press, New York, 358 pp.
Buatois, L.A., Mángano, M.G. & Aceñolaza, F. 2002. Trazas fósiles. Señales de comportamiento en el registro estratigráfico. MEF, Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio, Argentina, 382 pp.
Hemminga, M. A., & Duarte, C. M. (2000). Seagrass ecology. Cambridge University Press.
James, N. P., & Jones, B. (2015). Origin of carbonate sedimentary rocks. John Wiley & Sons.
Kiessling, W., Flügel, E., & Golonka, J. (2002). Phanerozoic reef patterns. SEPM Society for Sedimentary Geology.
Knaust, D. & Bromley, R.G. (Eds.) 2012. Trace fossils as indicators of sedimentary environments. Elsevier, Developments in Sedimentology 64, 924 pp.
Mángano, M.G. & Buatois, L.A. (Eds.) 2016. The trace-fossil record of major evolutionary events. Vol. 1: Precambiran and Paleozoic & Vol. 2: Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Topics in Geobiology 39 & 40, Springer, 358 pp & 485 pp.
Molina, E. 2017. Micropaleontología (3ª Edición). Prensas de la Universidad de Zaragoza, 686 pp.
Reijmer, J. J. G. (2014). Carbonate factories. Encyclopedia of Marine Geosciences. doi 10.1007/978-94-007-6644-0_136-1.
Seilacher, A. 2007. Trace fossil analysis. Springer, 226 pp.
Selden, P.A. & Nudds, J.R. 2012. Evolution of Fossil Ecosystems (2nd Edition). Elsevier, 288 pp.
Tucker, M. E., & Wright, V. P. (2009). Carbonate sedimentology. John Wiley & Sons.
Software
Basic software: Office (Word, Excel, Power Point) or similar
Drawing software: (Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Inkskape)
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | Spanish | first semester | afternoon |