OTOLITHS AS A TOOL TO STUDY FISH LIFE CYCLES

Otoliths are inner ear calcium carbonate concretions used by teleost fishes to help them in orientation and balance in the water column. As chronological recorders, they have been used for decades to age fish, an important issue in fisheries. At present, and as a consequence of an improvement in the analytical techniques and statistical analyses, the chemical composition of otoliths (elemental and isotopic composition) and shape contours are being used as natural tracers to study population structure, migration patterns, stock discrimination and connectivity between habitats in fishes. The symposium intends to focus all the current applications of this unique tool to study several aspects of fish biology and ecology. 

 

Organization: 

Alberto Teodorico Correia, CIIMAR/UFP, PT

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GRAYLING (GENUS THYMALLUS): EVOLUTION, SYSTEMATICS, MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION 

The genus Thymallus (grayling) are an interesting group of salmonid fishes that have attracted increased attention over the last 20 years, culminating recently in the complete annotated genome sequencing of the European grayling aimed at understanding the whole genome duplication of the ancestral salmonid lineage. Grayling diversity has been revealed to be greater than previously thought, with a number of species recognized across the Asian portion of their distribution. Grayling, especially on the borders of their European distribution has become impacted by anthropogenic pressures, and reveal themselves as sensitive to environmental changes and thus their conservation and management have gained increased importance. As their habitats come under increased threat of exploitation, both their increased endangerment but also potential value for local economies via sustainable sport-fisheries is playing a role in the protection of river habitats. Presentations are invited addressing evolution, systematics, management, and conservation of graylings.

 

Organization:

Steven Weiss, University of Graz, with the support of the Grayling Research Trust

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EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS OF FISHES

Fishes evolved an exceptional diversity of morphological, physiological and life history traits, making them ideal for understanding the molecular basis of trait innovation, adaptation and speciation. Additionally, progress in genome sequencing and editing technologies provide the tools to dissect patterns and processes of molecular evolution and to inform applied research and conservation. This symposium intends to bundle research on trait innovation, adaptation and speciation in fishes informed by these genomic tools. We invite presentations addressing all aspects of trait evolution, adaptation and speciation in fishes making use of genomic tools to gain a better understanding of fish diversity.

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Organization:

Leon Hilgers & Julia Schwarzer, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany

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EVOLUTION AND ECOLOGY OF FISH WITH ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION, HYBRID COMPLEXES, AND POLYPLOIDY, WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON LOACHES (COBITOIDEI)

Reproductive modes departing from dioic sexuality have implications for some fundamental aspects of ecology and evolutionary biology. Various fish taxa combine sexual and asexual reproduction, as well as various ploidy levels. Loaches (Cobitoidei) are well-known for these phenomena. Several previous symposia on all aspects of the biology of loaches boosted knowledge on their spectacular diversity, phylogenetic relationships, ecological role, reproduction modes with aberrant meiotic pathways, but also helped their conservation. As a continuation of previous meetings, this symposium aims to discuss the evolutionary and ecological consequences of hybridization, asexuality, and polyploidy in loaches, but also in fish in general.

 

Organization:

Karel Janko, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic & Jan Kotusz, Museum of Natural History, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland

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Other Symposia Proposals

 

We are welcoming specific symposia proposals. If you are interested in organizing a symposium on a specific topic, please send a short description to ivana.buj@biol.pmf.hr