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General information |
Course unit name: Large Marine Vertebrates
Course unit code: 366409
Academic year: 2022-2023
Coordinator: Jacob Gonz�lez-Sol�s Bou
Department: Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Credits: 6
Single program: S
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Estimated learning time |
Total number of hours 150 |
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Face-to-face and/or online activities |
52 |
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- Lecture |
Face-to-face |
20 |
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- Group tutorial |
Face-to-face |
2 |
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- Special practices |
Face-to-face |
30 |
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Supervised project |
48 |
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Independent learning |
50 |
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Learning objectives |
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Referring to knowledge Large marine vertebrates inform us about the state and evolution of marine ecosystems, but at the same time they suffer from anthropogenic disturbances, such as overfishing, bycatch, industrial activities, tourism development, pollution and the climate change. These disturbances are deteriorating the conservation status of an increasing number of species. In this context, it is essential to further the understanding of the following aspects:
Referring to abilities, skills
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Teaching blocks |
1.
Introduction. Diversity and ecology of large pelagic fish and elasmobranchs
* Diversity of species of large pelagic fish and elasmobranchs (rays and sharks). Description of the main families, phylogenetic relationships, morphological and physiological adaptations to the marine environment, distribution, reproduction and mating systems, role of large pelagic predators in the marine ecosystem
2. Diversity and ecology of marine mammals and reptiles
* Diversity of species of marine mammals (cetaceans and pinnipeds) and reptiles (sea turtles). Description of the main families, most relevant aspects of their biology, phylogenetic relationships, morphological and physiological adaptations to the marine environment, distribution, lifestyle, reproduction and mating systems.
3. Identification of large pelagic fish, elasmobranchs, reptiles and marine mammals
* Key traits in the identification of the different families of large pelagic fish and the most common species of sharks and batoids. Aspects to observe and species most common in the Mediterranean and the Iberian Atlantic. Identification of marine reptiles: key traits for the identification of different species of sea turtles. Aspects to be observed and species most common in the Mediterranean and the Iberian Atlantic. Identification of marine mammals: key traits for the identification of the main families of cetaceans and pinnipeds. Odontocete families, differentiation between whales and rorquals. Aspects to be observed in phocids and otariids. Most common species in the Mediterranean and the Iberian Atlantic
4. Diversity and ecology of seabirds
* Diversity of seabird species. Description of the main families, most relevant aspects of their biology, phylogenetic relationships, morphological and physiological adaptations to the marine environment, distribution, reproduction, mating systems, moulting
5. Trophic ecology and movement
* Trophic ecology. Predictability of marine resources and the movement of large vertebrates at different spatial and temporal scales. Food search and migration strategies and methods for studying movement. Migration connectivity. Seasonal interactions and accumulated effects
6. Conservation of large marine vertebrates
* Conservation status of large marine vertebrates. Impact and main threats. Pollution by hydrocarbons, plastics, organic pollutants, mercury, and ecological factors that modulate pollution levels. Over-exploitation of the marine environment, discards and by-catches. Habitat degradation and the effects of climate change on the phenology, productivity and distribution of large marine vertebrates. Conservation priorities
7. Identification of seabirds
* Topography of a seabird. How to identify a seabird: general impression, size and details of plumage and structure. Aspects to be considered for safe identification: observation point, observation conditions, moult and wear, seasonal changes, age-related changes, sexual differences, morphs, geographic variability, inter-individual variability. Most common species in the Iberian Peninsula
8. Protected marine areas based on large marine vertebrates
* Process for identifying marine protected areas based on large marine vertebrates. Network of marine IBAs and special protection areas for birds (ZEPA) in the sea around the Iberian Peninsula. Cetacean protection regulations, Marine Nature Network 2000, ZEC and ZEPIMS and Criteria for the Selection of Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMA)
9. Pechakucha
* Presentation of a group project in Pechakucha format. A minimum of 5 topics will be proposed so that each topic will be developed by a group of four people. Each group presents a twenty-slide Power Point in which each slide is shown for twenty seconds. Each student must present five slides. The project is evaluated both as a group and individually.
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Official assessment of learning outcomes |
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Exam on species recognition (20%); presentation and defence of a topic related to the contents of the subject in groups of four people and presentation in PechaKucha style (20%); synthesis exam (60%)
Examination-based assessment The synthesis exam includes a de visu section, a series of theoretical questions and the written development of one of the topics proposed for the PechaKucha.
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Reading and study resources |
Check availability in Cercabib
Book
Arcos, J.M., Bécares, J., Rodríguez, B. & Ruiz, a. 2009. Áreas Importantes para la Conservación de las Aves marinas en España. SEO/BirdLife
Brooke, M. 2018. Far from Land: The Mysterious Lives of Seabirds. Princeton University Press.
https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691174181/far-from-land 
Schreiber, E.A & Burger J. (Eds.) 2002. Biology of Marine Birds. CRC Press. Boca Raton, Florida.
https://books.google.pt/books/about/Biology_of_Marine_Birds.html?id=iI69BwAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y
Howell, S.N.G. & Zuflet, K. 2019. Oceanic birds of the world, a photo guide. Princeton University Press.
https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691175010/oceanic-birds-of-the-world
Llobet, T & Arcos, P. 2020. Cetacis, tortugues, grans peixos pelàgics i ocells marins de Catalunya. Cossetània.