Ichthyology

Course unit title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Ichthyology

Zoology N 014

Nature Research Center

Institute of Ecology

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

2

Self-studies

8

Seminars

0

Course annotation

This course is designed to get acquainted with one of the most important, abundant and interesting group of animals - fish living in the water. It begins with an overview of the evolution and origins of the fish, followed by an examination of the structure, anatomy, physiological traits, development and change of the physiology of the fish depending on their level of development and systematic position. This will be followed by an overview of modern fish taxonomy and an overview of the distribution, and phylogenetic significance of individual taxa - myxins, lampreys, cartilaginous fish, shark skates, chimeras, bivalves, carnivores, multi-fins and bony fish. The distribution and zogeographical zoning of ichthyofauna, the concept of fish communities and populations and their main parameters - age composition, abundance, biomass, productivity, natural and commercial mortality will be examined. An overview of the ichthyofauna of Lithuanian water bodies and the concept of fish communities in different water body ecosystems will be presented: in the Baltic Sea, the Curonian Lagoon, lakes, water reservoirs and rivers. This course will be completed with an overview of the state of fish stocks, a review of sustainable fisheries and the protection of endangered and rare fish, and the application of species recovery measures in the EU and Lithuania.

Aims of course

Main topics

Development of ichthyology. Peculiarities of fish anatomy and physiology, origin. Modern fish systematics. Division of fish into swarms and their families (characteristics, systematics, ecology). Ichthyofauna prevalence - zoogographic zoning. The concept of the structure of fish communities and populations. Fish development cycles, growth and population productivity. Natural and commercial fish mortality. Introduced species and their effects on aquatic ecosystems. Overview of the ichthyofauna of Lithuanian water bodies and the concept of community structure: the Baltic Sea, the Curonian Lagoon, lakes and water reservoirs, rivers. Fish stocks, sustainable fisheries and conservation. Rare and endangered fish species, their restoration in the EU and Lithuania.

Main literature

Moyle P.B., Cech J. 2000. Fishes: An introduction to ichtiology. 612 pp.

Virbickas J. 2000. Lietuvos žuvys. Vilnius, 192 p.

Bone Q., Marshal N B., Blaxter J.H. 1996.Biology of fishes. 332 pp.

Mattews W.J. 1998. Patterns in freshwater fish ecology. London. 751 pp.

Nelson J. S.1994. Fishes of the world. 3rd. ed. New York. Wiley. 600 pp.

Kottelat M. and Freyhof J. 2007. Handbook European Freshwater fishes. Switzerland and Freyhof, Berlin, Germany. 646 pp.

Jonsson B., Jonsson N. 2011. Ecology of Atlantic Salmon and Brown Trout: Habitat as a Template for Life Histories. Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York. 732 pp.

Шибаев С.В. 2007. Промысловая ихтиология. Санкт – Петербург. 399с. 

Arbačiauskas K. ir kt. 2009. Gyvūnijos monitoringo metodai. Vilnius. 86 – 104 p. 

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Exam and presentation of the prepared report according to the assigned topic.

Understanding and using the basic concepts of the study subject; assimilation of knowledge identified in course curriculum; identification of practical problems and argumentation of their solutions; additional independent studies of literature.

Vytautas Kesminas

Dr.

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Approved by the Council of Graduate School of Life Sceinces Center No 600000-…-… on the …. of …… 2021

Chairman