Marine Biology Course given by Dr. Bill Crowe, School of Science IT Sligo.
Organiser of Courses: Dr. Eleanor Healion, Academic Co-ordinator.
Irish Centre for Talented Youth. Dublin City University, Dublin 9. Tel. 01 7008977 eleanor.healion@dcu.ie
Marine Biology Course Outline 8 Saturdays in Spring; dates:
9th Feb. Introduction to waves, swell and fetch (using ropes) and their influence on shore wave exposure and biodiversity;
the “Goldilocks Principle, where conditions are just right”. Introduction to tides (using balls a hoop and fancy
dress to demonstrate the effect of sun and moon on water movements), and to show their effect on rocky
seashore zonation.
Physical and Biological reasons for zonation of lichens, algae and fauna.
http://staffweb.itsligo.ie/staff/bcrowe/bill/styles/frames/marbiol/sshorero/sshorerl.htm
Introduction to the major algal and animal groups: Beautiful Slides and demonstration, under microscopes,
of live barnacles feeding; living, dead and fossil corals, anemones, and jellyfish; mollusc shells and
crustaceans; Singing Fish.
16th Feb. Sampling Methods: from shore to deep sea for many types of species; methods for collection of larval stages:
Powerpoint slide show http://staffweb.itsligo.ie/staff/bcrowe/bill/marhome.htm and demonstrations of gear;
and scuba diving equipment.
23rd Feb. Alcohol preserved real specimens of odd looking Deep Sea Fish and Invertebrates (from 3 miles down)
“ Rat tailed sharks: small monsters of the deep! ”.
Short video clips of Whales and Dolphins. Humans and dolphins blowing bubbles under water. Video of Salps
http://staffweb.itsligo.ie/staff//bcrowe/bill/chalt.htm
http://staffweb.itsligo.ie/staff/bcrowe/bill/photos/jpgscssc/cnatmus.htm
http://staffweb.itsligo.ie/staff//bcrowe/bill/CTYIMarBiolStu2013.htm
2nd March. Systematic approach to naming and describing the biology of shore and sub-littoral marine lichens, algae
and animal phyla: Powerpoint demonstrations and living specimens in tanks and trays. Mainly algae, and lower
invertebrates (protostomes)
http://www.seaweed.ie/ (by Dr. Michael Guiry)
http://www.seaweed.ie/sargassum (by Dr. Michael Guiry) with information on Sargassum seaweed ; recent
sightings in Ireland and a Sighting questionnaire for Ireland.
http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/ look at sections on brown, green and red algae
Introduction to Raughly Beach: algal and Faunal zonation and photos and videos of Fin Whales stranded at
Raughley http://www.sligotoday.ie/details.php?id=17751&PHPSESSID=e66ee667edfdc2f6ebc295f153c92e61
9th March. Field trip to Raughly rocky beach to study ecology and zonation of marine algae and animal species.
collection of some species for aquaria to be observed the following week in laboratory.
http://staffweb.itsligo.ie/staff/bcrowe/bill/styles/frames/marbiol/sshorero/DCUGifChildRaughley/DCURaughley.htm
23rd March. Continuation of Systematic approach to naming and describing the biology of shore and under water marine
lichens, algae and animal phyla: Powerpoint demonstrations, slide shows, and web demonstrations,
together with observations on living specimens in tanks and trays, and under microscopes.
Mainly higher invertebrates (deuterostomes) and vertebrates (e.g. fish).
http://staffweb.itsligo.ie/staff/bcrowe/bill/styles/frames/taxon/kingd/5kingdho.htm
6th March. Systematic approach to Whale and Dolphin sightings and identification.
http://staffweb.itsligo.ie/staff/bcrowe/bill/styles/frames/taxon/kingd/ankingd/chord/vert/dolph&wh.htm
13th April. Recap and Quiz.