Teaching: Biol 451, Biol 472

BIOL 451: Ichthyology

 

LECTURE TOPICS

 

Characteristics of fishes

Introduction to fish structure and function.

 

Taxonomy/Phylogeny of fishes

Survey of the major taxonomic groups of fishes from the pre-vertebrates to the teleosts. (Morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations will be discussed along with taxonomic and phylogenetic information).

 

Physiology of fishes

Metabolic requirements including: diet, growth, oxygen consumption, swimming performance and buoyancy.

Environmental tolerance including effects of temperature, salinity, oxygen concentration and pollution.

Reproduction including environmental and social requirements, physiology of reproduction and early development.

Sensory capabilities including olfaction, taste, vision, hearing, lateral line sense, electrical sensitivity, pressure sensitivity and response to magnetic fields.

 

Behaviour and ecology of fishes

Predator/prey interactions, habitat selection, migration, reproductive behaviour and parental care. Many of these topics will have been partially covered under preceding headings.

 

Management, exploitation and conservation of fishes

Population assessment, measurement and control of exploitation rates. Methods of harvesting fish.

Discussion of major world fisheries with special emphasis of Pacific salmon and Atlantic groundfish including biological, political, economic and social factors affecting a fishery.

Aquaculture, discussion of the potential and problems of aquaculture and current status of fish culture.

Conservation: Where have all the fish gone?

Biol 451:

Reading pre-requisite

BIOL 472: Animal Behaviour

 

LECTURE TOPICS

 

What is Animal Behaviour?

The Proximate/Ultimate Dichotomy

Approaches to the Study of Behaviour (Ethology, Comparative Psychology, Neurobiology)

Hypothesis Testing in Behavioural Research

Classification and Description of Behaviours

Behaviour and Evolution

The Genetics of Behaviour

Learning and Ontogeny of Behaviour

Behavioural Endocrinology

Animal Senses

Migration

Biological Rhythms

Communication

Social Behaviour

Dominance and Territoriality

Sexual Selection and Mating Systems