Ichthyoplankton Ecology and Dynamics in the Ocean

Objectives

In this course unit, students are expected to understand the importance of ichthyoplankton studies for marine ecology and fisheries management. Students should develop knowledge about the early life cycle of fish, identifying embryonic and larval stages and the factors influencing their survival and distribution. The main methodologies for collecting and analysing eggs and larvae will be addressed, aiming to understand the population dynamics of marine species and their response to environmental conditions.

Program

Introduction
History and relevance of ichthyoplankton studies.

Fish reproductive biology
Types of reproduction, reproductive strategies, gametogenesis, and reproductive cycles.

Ontogeny
Study of the embryonic and larval development stages of fish, larval characteristics of taxonomic value.

Ichthyoplankton ecology
Adaptations to planktonic life, vertical migrations, feeding ecology, survival, and dispersal.

Collection techniques
Introduction to equipment and methods for collecting fish eggs and larvae, techniques for preservation and storage of biological material.

Processing of collected material
Methodologies for measuring plankton volume, sorting and classifying eggs and larvae, clearing and illustrating larvae.

Analytical methodologies
Estimation of abundance, distribution, growth, and larval mortality.

Teaching Methodologies

Os conteúdos desta disciplina serão transmitidos aos alunos com base em aulas de natureza conceptual e atividades exploratórias. As aulas serão essencialmente expositivas, com recurso a apresentações visuais dinâmicas, estudo de casos específicos com recurso à análise de publicações científicas, que serão apresentados e discutidos pelos estudantes. A informação será disponibilizada através da página digital da disciplina na plataforma de “e-learning Moodle”.

Bibliography

Ahlstrom, E.H. & Moser, H.G. 1976. Eggs and larvae of fishes and their role in systematic investigations and in fisheries. Revue Trav. Inst. Pêches marit., v. 40, n. 3,4, p. 379-398.

Fahay, M.P. 1983. Guide to the early stages of marine fishes occurring in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, Cape Hatteras to Southern Scotian Shelf. J. NE Atlantic Fish. Sci., v.4, p. 1-426.

Lasker, R. (ed.) 1984. Marine Fish Larvae - Morphology, Ecology and Relation to Fisheries. Seattle: University of
Washington Press, 131 p.

Leis, J.M. & Rennis, D.S. 1983. The larvae of Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, p. 80-97.

Leis, J.M. & Trnski, T. 1989. The larvae of Indo-Pacific shore fishes. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 371 p.

Moser, H.G.; Richards, W.J.; Cohen, D.M.; Fahay, M.P.; Kendall Jr, A.W. & Richardson, S.L. (eds.) 1984. Ontogeny and systematic of fishes, 760 p. Special Publication American Society of Ichthyology and Herpetology, 1.

Ré, P.M.A.B. 1999. Ictioplâncton estuarino da península Ibérica (guia de identificação dos ovos e estados larvares planctónicos). Mem Martins: Gráfica Europam, Ltda., 163 p.

Richards, W.J. (ed.) 2006. Early Stages of Atlantic Fishes - An identification guide for Western Central North Atlantic. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis, 2640 p.

Smith, P.E. & Richardson, S.L. 1977. Standard Techniques for pelagic fish egg and larvae surveys. FAO Fish. Tech. Pap., n. 175, p. 1-100.

Tanaka, S. 1973. Stock assessment by means of ichthyoplankton surveys. FAO Fishery Tech. Pap., v. 122, p. 33-51.

Tranter, D.J. (ed.) 1979. Zooplankton sampling. Unesco Monogr. Oceanogr. Methodol., (2): 174 p.