SYMPOSIA
The Shared Planet
The joint symposium aims to promote an interdisciplinary and integrated discussion on the dynamics and effects of long-term coexistence between human and animal species on our planet. The impact of human activities on the environment, which began in prehistoric times with the hunting and domestication of animal and plant species, has intensified in parallel with biological and cultural evolution and the resulting technological progress. The territorial expansion of our species, combined with population growth and the development of intensive production activities in agriculture, fishing, and livestock farming, introduced new adaptive challenges for both humans and animals. These processes resulted in the transformation and destruction of natural habitats on a global scale. The symposium seeks to integrate zoological and anthropological perspectives by analyzing evolutionary and co-evolutionary dynamics.
Museology, communication and education
The symposium aims to compare and enhance activities central to the disciplines of anthropology and zoology, which have traditionally focused on the conservation, protection, and exhibition of artifacts in museum contexts. The uniqueness of these research topics and the interest they generate among diverse audiences also foster the development of a wide range of scientific communication initiatives. The symposium will welcome contributions on various museum experiences and scientific communication practices, considering national and European regulations as well as the principles of open-access science.
Molecular approaches in contemporary zoology
Rita Cannas – Marco Passamonti
Contemporary zoology increasingly relies on molecular techniques. Molecular data can offer valuable insights into how animals are, evolve, adapt, and interact with their environments.
“Molecular Zoology” integrates “traditional” zoology (organism-oriented) with molecular-based investigations; it includes methods/techniques derived from genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology to explore multiple topics in animal sciences such as the molecular basis of animal traits, their function, development and evolution, as well as their phylogenesis, population genetics, the conservation and management of exploited species, their immunology and diseases control, among others. This symposium aims to bring together scientists working in all areas of zoology that may benefit from molecular approaches in addressing their scientific questions.
Life in extreme environments
M. Cristina Follesa – Piero Giulianiani – Alberto Ugolini
The symposium covers topics ranging from adaptive functional morphology to time and space circumvention, to the biochemical, physiological and behavioural responses required for animal life in highly stressful environments and the challenges presented by foreseeable or unforeseeable environmental variations. The problems related to anthropogenic pressure at global level raise further scientific questions about the possibilities of compensation and plasticity in environments already with very particular abiotic characteristics.
New Frontiers in Zoology: Innovation and Interdisciplinary Synergies
Giulio Petroni – Biagio D’Aniello
A symposium designed to bring together themes and researchers working in zoological fields with interdisciplinary, innovative, and boundary-pushing approaches, exploring emerging and unconventional research areas. Innovative study proposals aim to advance zoology by integrating perspectives from other disciplines, with the goal of broadening understanding of biological, ecological, and evolutionary processes.
Examples of areas of interest include Zooarchaeology (intersecting with anthropology) to study interactions between humans and other animals, including domestication mechanisms; macro- and micro-invertebrates as indicators of soil quality (at the intersection with pedobiology); protistology (close to microbiology) and the role of protists in ecosystems; the use of animals as models in robotics and technological innovations; and urban zoology, which explores animal adaptation in urban environments. The event promotes interdisciplinary dialogue to expand the boundaries of zoology and foster new collaborations.
Ethics, Animal Welfare and the Three Rs
Adriana Canapa – Paola Zarattini - Nicola Simola
This workshop will address topics regarding Ethics, Animal Welfare and the Three Rs for regulated species (Legislative Decree no. 26 of 2014) and for alternative species used for scientific purposes in basic and applied research. Considering the topics that will be covered, an application for accreditation will be submitted to the Ministry of Health as an event of continuing professional development (CPD provided in the Ministerial Decree of 5 August 2021). The workshop is open to all participants who, if they wish, will be able to obtain the professional training credits necessary to maintain the professional qualification of people working in animal facilities and/or are part of the Animal-welfare body.
In this workshop, speakers will be invited by the Scientific Committee of the congress while participants can present scientific contributions as posters.