Diversity and Life Histories of HABs

Diversity and Life Histories of HABs

Description:

HAB species include toxic species and high-biomass producers that can cause harm after reaching high concentrations, whether or not toxins are produced. Harmful marine microalgae belong to different phylogenetic groups. In the last decades, detailed morphological investigations coupled with molecular approaches provided a better understanding of HAB species diversity and new tools for their detection in the natural environment. Harmful microalgae have complex life cycles that include sexual and benthic resting phases, stages with different morphology and physiology. Life histories can represent an important contribution for our understanding of population dynamics and ecology.

The course will provide an overview of different aspects of the diversity of HAB species, examples of the relevance of species-based approaches for understanding the dynamics of HABs, outlining gaps in our knowledge and possible future research directions.

 

Contents:

  • A general introduction to the taxonomy of harmful marine microalgae (dinoflagellates, diatoms, haptophyceae, dictyochophyceae, pelagophyceae, raphidophyceae)
  • Molecular approaches to the study of the diversity of microalgae.
  • The life cycle of microalgae (resting stages, sexual reproduction) what we know from laboratory experiments and field studies.
  • Diversity of Harmful Algal Blooms.
  • Methods for the study of microalgal diversity (e.g. strain isolation and cultivation, cyst isolation and germination)

 

Methodology:

The course will include a series of lectures in which the different topics will be illustrated: two lectures/day, 2 hours each.

Practical sessions will include:

  • The examination of samples and/or cultures of HAB species; examination of sediment samples.
  • The illustration and discussion of selected papers; participants will be divided in groups (max 4) based on their background and each group will present and discuss a scientific paper. This exercise is meant to stimulate discussion amongst all participants on the topics illustrated during the lectures. The papers to be discussed will be made available to the participants well in advance to the course.
  • Open discussions on the research topics of participants.