Chemical Ecology in Aquatic Systems

Year
0
Academic year
2017-2018
Code
01009284
Subject Area
Biology
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Although not mandatory, the previous attendance of Biochemistry or Chemistry, Animal diversity, Population and Community Ecology classes is suggested

Teaching Methods

Classes are of theoretical and theoretical-practical type. In the theoretical-practical classes study cases will be analyzed with the help of scientific manuscripts; practical activities, within the scope of the program, will be performed. 

A field trip will help the students to get a close contact with specific issues mentioned in the theoretical classes, namely infodisruption due to anthropogenic activities.

The students will develop a search activity on a proposed theme that will be presented by the end of the semester.

Learning Outcomes

In this curricular unit we expect the students to acknowledge the importance of communication mediated by chemical signs in the biological interactions with implications on population dynamics, structure and functioning of the aquatic communities and ecosystems. The acquisition of knowledge, at several levels of biological organization, will allow the students to integrate and interiorize the concept of infochemical web, concept that is essential and largely ignored in the protection, management and monitorization of aquatic systems and crucial for public health practices. Specifically directed to students of the last year of the 1st cycle, the multidisciplinary approach of the contents will allow the use, interconnection and maturation process of the knowledge acquired in other disciplines; this is particularly important as these students will face a more professional framework in the second cycle.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I

1.1 Chemical ecology in aquatic systems – introduction.

1.2 Semiochemicals: main groups, classification, characterization and biosynthesis

1.3 Influence of abiotic in the chemical clues.

1.4 Bioassays in aquatic ecosystems.

 

II

2.1 Odour dispersal, limits of detection, integration of the information.

2.2 The use of chemical cues in migration, navigation, habitat recognition and settlement.

2.3 Pheromones mediating sex and dominance.

2.4 Chemical interactions between decomposers and between primary producers.

2.5 Chemical defenses against herbivores.

2.6 Chemosensory information involved in food detection. Interactions predator-prey.

2.7 Alarm substances and disturbance cues.

2.8 Induced defenses.

2.9 Communities, food webs and infochemical webs.

 

III

3.1 Infodisruption due to anthropogenic activities.

3.2 Use of semiochemicals as control tools of disease and invasive species.

3.3 Aquatic chemical ecology: new directions and challenges.

Head Lecturer(s)

Cristina Maria Moreira Monteiro Leal Canhoto

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Research work: 25.0%
Exam: 75.0%

Bibliography

Begon, M.; Harper, J.L. & Townsend, C.R., 2007. Ecologia - de Indivíduos a Ecossistemas. Editora Artmed. 4ª ed. 752 p.

Brönmark C. & Hanson L-A., 2012. Chemical Ecology in Aquatic Systems. Oxford University Press. 291p.

Harborne, J. 2002. Introduction to Ecological Biochemistry. Elsevier. 4th ed. 318 p.

Müller-Schwarze, D., 2009. Hands-On Chemical Ecology: Simple Field and Laboratory Exercises. Springer. 156p.

Randal, D., Burggren, W. & Frencj, K., 2002. Animal Physiology: Mechanisms and Adaptations. W.H. Freeman & Company, NY. 5ª ed. 736p.