Couse outline for MBF 586 Environmental Biology of Fishes
Instructor:Martin Grosell & Guest lecturers
Time and place: Mondays and Wednesdays 1000-1130 in SLAB 120 at RSMAS
Content: The goal of this course is to provide an integrative understanding of physiological, morphological and behavioral adaptations allowing fish to inhabit aquatic environments. Special emphasis will be on salt and water balance, acid-base balance, respiration, nitrogenous waste excretion, exercise physiology, and specialized sensory organs.
In addition to general fish physiology and behavior common for typical freshwater and seawater environments, examples of unique adaptations to extreme environments will be covered both in lectures and as student presentations.
Examination:Evaluation of students will be based on 4 parts (a mid term examination, a final examination both consisting of brief assay type questions, general participation in class room discussions and finally student presentations) each carrying equal weight.
Student presentations: Students are required to identify a specific topic, the relevant literature and to present the literature to follow students for discussion.
Preliminary Course outline (subject to change):
|
Date/time |
Topic |
Text |
|
Jan 18th |
Introduction |
|
|
Jan 23rd |
Respiration |
Physiology of Fishes, 3rd edition Eds Evans & Claiborne |
|
Jan 25th |
Exercise and respiration, energy utilization |
Physiology of Fishes, 3rd edition Eds Evans & Claiborne |
|
Jan 30th |
Salt balance |
Physiology of Fishes, 3rd edition Eds Evans & Claiborne |
|
Feb 1st |
Salt balance |
Physiology of Fishes, 3rd edition Eds Evans & Claiborne |
|
Feb 6th |
Water balance |
Physiology of Fishes, 3rd edition Eds Evans & Claiborne |
|
Feb 8th |
Acid-base balance |
TBA |
|
Feb 13th |
Nitrogenous waste excretion |
Physiology of Fishes, 3rd edition Eds Evans & Claiborne |
|
Feb 15th |
Specialized sensory organs - lateral line and electroreception |
Physiology of Fishes, 3rd edition Eds Evans & Claiborne |
|
Feb 20th |
Adaptation to darkness |
Selected original papers |
|
Feb 22nd |
Adaptation to depth/pressure |
Original literature TBA |
|
Feb 27th |
Review |
|
|
March 1st |
TEST |
|
|
March 6th |
Respiration - air breathers |
Physiology of Fishes, 3rd edition Eds Evans & Claiborne |
|
March 8th |
Adaptations to extreme temperatures |
Physiology of Fishes, 3rd edition Eds Evans & Claiborne |
|
March 20th |
Adaptation to acidic environments |
Original literature TBA |
|
March 22nd |
Adaptation to alkaline environments |
Original literature TBA |
|
March 27th |
Adaptations to excavation |
Original literature TBA/ Physiology of Fishes, 3rd edition Eds Evans & Claiborne |
|
March 29th |
Student selected topic I |
Original literature TBA |
|
April 10th |
Student selected Topic II |
Original literature TBA |
|
April 12th |
Student selected topic III |
Original literature TBA |
|
April 17th |
Student selected Topic IV |
Original literature TBA |
|
April 19th |
Student selected topic V |
Original literature TBA |
|
April 24th |
Student selected topic V |
Original literature TBA |
|
April 26th |
Review |