Biology of Fishes: Schedule of Events

Lecture

                          WFSC 417/617 - Biology of Fishes
                                  Spring 2008
                                Lecture Schedule
Topic                                                      Class Meeting     
Introduction                                                     1 
Diversity of Aquatic Environments                                2,3
Basic Adaptations of Fishes to Environment
     Foods and feeding                                           4,5
     Food processing; nutritional requirements                   6
     Circulatory anatomy and physiology; excretion               7
     Respiratory anatomy and physiology; buoyancy control        8,9
     Energy budgets for fishes                                  10,11 
     Activity and active metabolism; bioenergetics of         
           swimming                                             12 
     Growth                                                     13,14
                                           MIDTERM EXAM         15 
Coping with Environmental Variation and Stress
     Physiological regulation of internal environment;
          osmoregulation                                        16
     Problems associated with gas and heat exchange             17
     Acclimatization and acclimation                            18,19
     Limits of tolerance; toxicity bioassay                     20
     Perception of environment                                  21    
     Learning; conditioned responses                            22
     Behavioral regulation of environment                       23   
     Coping with pathogens, parasites, and predators            24 
Partitioning the Environment: Interaction among Fishes
     Competition for food and space; social hierarchies
          and territoriality                                    25
     Social facilitation; schooling; interspecific
          cooperative arrangements                              26
     Activity patterns and movements within the habitat         27
New Generations for Future Environments
     Spawning migrations; breeding behavior                     28
     Reproduction and development; ecology of larval fishes     ??
                                            FINAL EXAM          29

Laboratory

                          WFSC 417/689 - Biology of Fishes
                                  Spring 2008
                                  Lab Schedule

Exercise                                                          Date
  I.  Food Processing
     a. Laboratory work                                          23 Jan
     b. Compiled data distributed                                29 Jan
     c. Help session                                             30 Jan
     d. Report due                                                6 Feb
 II.  Respirometry and Metabolism
     a. Laboratory work                                           6 Feb
     b. Compiled data distributed                                12 Feb
     c. Help session                                             13 Feb
     d. Report due                                               20 Feb
III.  Toxicity Bioassay
     a. Laboratory work                                          20 Feb
     b. Compiled data distributed                                26 Feb
     c. Help session (and exam review)                           27 Feb
     d. Report due                                                5 Mar
 IV.  Body Temperature and Heat Exchange
     a. Laboratory work                                           5 Mar
     b. Compiled data distributed                                18 Mar
     c. Help session                                             19 Mar
     d. Report due                                               26 Mar
  V.  Environmental Preference and Avoidance Behavior
     a. Laboratory work                                          26 Mar
     b. Compiled data distributed                                 1 Apr
     c. Help session                                              2 Apr
     d. Report due                                                9 Apr
 VI.  Ecofish "Dissected" and Simulation Model for Growth
     a. Seminar and demonstration                                 9 Apr
     b. Help session (by appointment, as requested)                 ???
     c. Report due (WFSC 617 only)                               23 Apr