The University Museum of Bergen (University of Bergen, Norway), Artsdatabanken project NorHydro, and ForBio (Research School in Biosystematics) jointly offer an International Course on Diversity, Systematics and Biology of Hydrozoans
Course scope
Pictures: J.J. Soto, NorHydro
Hydrozoans are a common and widespread group of cnidarians with high economic and ecological importance in aquatic environments. The group includes hydromedusae and hydrocorals, siphonophores and hydroids, in a taxon highly diverse in terms of life-cycle strategies, ecological roles, and habitats. In this course, we aim to provide the participants with an overview of the diversity of the group, as well as to offer a unique opportunity to get state-of-the-art knowledge in hydrozoan biology and hands-on experience in laboratory and field work with these animals. By combining field and lab work with specialized lectures (addressing various theoretical questions in hydrozoan systematics, ecology, and evolution), the course will provide students with tools for the study of hydrozoans under ecological and evolutionary frameworks.
Pictures: HYPNO
We will cover both the benthic and planktonic hydrozoans, including jellyfish and polyps and giving the students basic taxonomic and methodological skills that will allow them to implement specific sampling protocols best suited for different habitats and taxa. After the course, the participants will have the necessary knowledge and skills to identify relevant research questions in hydrozoan biology, plan and conduct a small study focused on these organisms, and identify the most common hydrozoan species occurring in the North Sea and Eastern Atlantic Ocean.
Learning outcomes
- Become familiar with the diversity and diagnostic characters of the main hydrozoan taxa, both in benthos and plankton.
- Acquire in-depth understanding of the modern systematics, phylogeny and evolution of Hydrozoa.
- Gain hands-on experience in identification of hydroids, hydromedusae and siphonophores, including the analysis of cnidome and the use of current scientific literature.
- Learn varied sampling and rearing techniques for different groups of hydrozoans in the marine environment.
Course venue
The location of the Espegrend Marine Biological Station in the proximity of deep and shallow Norwegian fjords (as well as close to Bergen airport and within a short drive to the city centre) will provide access to a diverse marine hydrozoan fauna from benthic and pelagic environments, while keeping the logistics of the course on track. The station has excellent laboratory and accommodation facilities and is well equipped with aquaria, an auditorium, stereomicroscopes, and running sea water.
Teachers (to be confirmed for 2022)
Luis Martell – University Museum, University of Bergen, Norway
Aino Hosia – University Museum, University of Bergen, Norway
Joan Josep Soto Àngel – Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Norway
Peter Schuchert – Natural History Museum of Geneva, Switzerland
Marta Ronowicz – Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
Igor Kosevich - Moscow State University, Russia
Quota
Min 10, max 20 students. Participants will be selected based on the registration form, which includes a paragraph for motivation and importance of the course for your study/work.
Course fee
There is no course fee required from ForBio members or associates. Accommodation (shared) and food is covered for all course participants who are registered as ForBio members or associates. Find out about how to become a ForBio member/associate here.
Financial support
ForBio members from Norway are supported in full, including travel. Participants from other countries or outside academia may apply for financial support. Decision on full or partial support will be announced in one week after the application deadline.
Local logistics
All students are expected to arrive on March 31st, arrival on April 1st is possible if before the course start (09:00 am). Departure after 5 pm on April 5th but also possible to stay at the field station overnight and travel on April 6th.
Language
English
Please apply for the course here.
Application deadline: January 24, 2021
Assignment and credits
The course is equivalent to 3 ECTS (includes full attendance, preparatory activities and home assignment). ForBio will provide certificates for those successfully completed the course assignment.
Contact Luis Martell (Luis.Martell@uib.no) for course content and general logistics or Nataliya Budaeva (nataliya.budaeva@uib.no) - ForBio coordinator for practicalities.