Marine Faunistics: Biology and Systematics of Marine Fish and Invertebrates

Knowledge

This course gives the participants a broad knowledge about

• Collection methods
• Identification of Danish marine fishes and benthic and pelagic invertebrates.
• The morphology, biology and taxonomy of relevant marine animals.

Skills

By the end of the course the students are expected to have achieved the following skills:

• Describe the morphology, biology and taxonomy of the larger groups of marine animal and relate it to both evolution and environment (habitat).
• Identify Danish Marine fishes and species in the major, marine benthic invertebrate groups. 
• Overall knowledge about the phylogeny and evolution of the major groups of marine animals  
• Use techniques for collection and identification of marine meiofauna
• Use techniques for collection and identification of holo- and meroplankton.

Competences

By the end of the course the students are expected to have achieved the following competences:

• Relate the occurrence and composition of a specific benthic fauna to function, evolution and habitat
• Be able to choose the optimal collection devise for a given type of bottom for a faunistic survey.
• Be able to differentiate between gear used for qualitative and quantitative purposes and to perform a critical evaluation of the limits and benefits when making results and conclusions.
• Plan and perform a quantitative bottom fauna investigation, including analysis and discussion of the results.