Syllabus
1. Abiotic factors and their effects on fish distribution
2. Biotic interactions: predation, parasitism, mutualism, competition, role of fish in ecosystem
3. Communities, dynamics of communities, diversity, spatial distribution, biogeography
4. Migration, territoriality, shoaling
5. Feeding ecology: trophic groups, morphological adaptations
6. Reproductive ecology: reproduction strategies, mating behaviour, parental care, fecundity
7. Growth and age: factors, methods of determination
8. Population dynamics and life histories, natality, mortality, productivity, estimation of abundance
9. Ecology and adaptations of fishes in extreme environments: deep sea, caves, polar regions, thermal waters, temporary waters, strong currents
10. Applied ecology of fishes: fisheries and aquaculture, sampling techniques
Annotation
The aim of the lecture is to introduce basic concepts of fish ecology and methods of their research. The students will learn about the diversity of life histories and functional adaptations of fishes to different types of environment, about biotic interactions, feeding and reproductive strategies, migrations and dynamics of populations and communities.