Fish Biology and Conservation (ENVSCI 686)
Lecture: Thursdays, 4:00‐6:45PM
Laboratory: Tuesdays, 4:00-6:30PM
Instructor
Dr. John W. Mandelman
Director of Research/Senior Scientist (New England Aquarium)
Research Faculty (UMB School for the Environment)
Office: John H. Prescott Laboratory, New England Aquarium
Phone: 617‐226‐2168 (office); 617‐283‐3177 (cell)
Email: jmandelman@neaq.org
Office hours: Thursdays, 1:30‐3:30PM (location TBD)
Course background
Fish inhabit virtually all aquatic habitats on our planet, with well over 30,000 extent species ranging in
total length at adulthood from less than half an inch to over 40 feet. These ancestral vertebrates play
critical roles in aquatic and even terrestrial food webs, with astounding diversity in body form and
appearance, lifestyle, physiological characteristics, etc. An exploration into their evolutionary story,
diversity and ecology offers a fascinating foray into how life evolved in the ocean, the role fish play in
aquatic communities, and how these animals cope with the inherent challenges of living in an aqueous
medium, which is exacerbated by increasing exposure to various anthropogenic conservation threats,
such as overfishing and climate change.
Course description and structure
This course will examine evolution/phylogeny, morphology, ecology, natural history and very basic
physiology of fishes from a diverse range of habitats. Focusing on the tremendous diversity among fish
species and habitats, we will continuously return to the question of how fish have evolved
morphologically, behaviorally and physiologically to survive in such a range of conditions and
environments. While the course does not devote extensive direct time to fisheries ecology, context on
global conservation and management issues facing fish populations will provide a backdrop for many of
the course lessons.
The laboratory component combines observational exercises with experiential hands-on activities,
demonstrations and excursions in the both the laboratory and field environments. The course also
involves a highly interactive teaching environment, where students are expected to play an active role in
course discussions, lectures and activities.
Objectives
Students should walk away from this course with:
 An introductory understanding of the physical and chemical properties of aquatic environments
and the diversity of environments inhabited by fishes.
 An extensive background on the evolution and diversity of fishes, including a core
understanding of phylogeny, systematics and taxonomy.




The ability to provide species example from course lessons, and recognize a variety of fish taxa.
A strong basic understanding of key aspects in fish ecology, including feeding ecology and
predator‐prey dynamics, behavior, habitat, biogeography, etc.
The ability to describe reproductive and life history strategies in fishes.
A familiarity with the primary anthropogenic threats to aquatic biodiversity, and how those
threats affect the survival and fitness of fish at the individual and population level.
This course will also help support graduate students in honing their:
 Technical writing and communication skills at the graduate level.
 Presentation skills, and ability to moderate scientific discussions.
 Basic mentorship skills
 Hands‐on laboratory skills, such as fish dissection, identification, and collection.
Reading material
Given the integrative approach, no one textbook is required for this course; however, readings will be
assigned from a variety of sources, and made available to students sufficiently ahead of due dates. In
addition, the use of online resources (e.g. video, reference information) will be encouraged. Sources for
course readings will include:
Fishes: an Introduction to Ichthyology (Moyle & Cech, 2007, 5th Edition, Benjamin Cummings Publishers,
744 p. ISBN: 978-0101008472
Ecology of Aquatic Systems (Dobson & Frid, 2009, 2nd Edition, Oxford University Press, 336 p. ISBN: 978099297542
Ecological and Environmental Physiology of Fishes (Eddy & Handy, 2012, 1st Edition, Oxford University
Press, 264 p. ISBN: 978-0199540952
Due to additional assignments detailed below, graduate students will have more readings than
undergraduates.
Expectations
The course should appeal to graduate students with an interest or concentration in marine science;
specifically ichthyology, vertebrate zoology, physiology/biochemistry, fisheries, conservation and
environmental policy and/or other related disciplines. There are no prerequisites for this course;
however, coursework in environmental science, conservation biology, ecology, and/or zoology will be
helpful.
It is expected that students attend class, and remain alert and engaged. This class will be highly
interactive, and as such, students must keep up with readings and actively participate. Graduate
students are expected to set an example for undergraduates by taking an especially active leadership
role in discussions and experiential activities.
Evaluation
This course will offer a range of assessments for graduate students. As with most courses, there will be
assignments and an exam, where the probability of success will increase if students pay attention, do
the readings, synthesize information, and clearly communicate what has been learned.
Lecture component
Exam I – in class – non‐cumulative (100 pts)
Species assignment (100 pts)
This assignment will combine observation and research responsibilities. Students will select two fish
species housed at the New England Aquarium, and record observations on morphology, behavior and
lifestyle of these species. How do they move around? Where do they spend the majority of their time
relative to their behaviors, body shapes/colors etc. Then, students will conduct research on these species
(at least five sources cited) on the natal environments and ecology of these species. Predators and prey?
Reproductive strategies? Conservation threats? This report must also generate either a cladogram
(morphological, not genetic) or an evolutionary tree drawing a lineage between the two chosen taxa.
Paper (100 pts)
Due near the end of the semester, grad students must author a research paper (unless special
permission is granted, no more than 10 pages not including any graphics or the references, double
spaced with 11 pt font) on an acute or chronic conservation issue facing an aquatic habitat. Focus should
be on the lethal and/or carry‐over effects on resident fish species in the chosen habitat, and any policy
efforts to address the issue and/or restore ecosystem health. At least 10 citations from the primary
literature are required. Students are also expected to provide a 15‐minute synopsis of the chosen topic
(i.e. rationale and background) to the class.
Exam II – in class – non‐cumulative (100 pts)
Participation (100 pts)
Participation in our class is critical and expected. Solid participation will require that all assigned
readings are completed and that students are active participants in class, during discussion groups, and
off‐campus experiential/lab activities.
As part of their participation grade, graduate students will lead approximately 30 minutes of a course
lecture of their choice, determined with the instructor near the start of the semester. This lecture
should be engaging and interactive, stimulating a discussion with the group.
Laboratory component
The laboratory focuses on experiential/lab activities. Attendance and participation in the laboratory
comprises 30 points of the laboratory grade, with the remaining assessment based on the satisfactory
completion and performance on intermittent lab reports (7 reports, 10 points each). There will be no
final lab exam or report, in that lessons from the lab component will be accounted for in the final exam
for the course.
Grade Scale (Lecture out of 500 total pts, Lab out of 100 total points)
94‐100 = A
90‐93 = A‐
87‐89 = B+
83‐86 = B
80‐82 = B‐
72‐76 = C
69‐71 = C‐
66‐68 = D+
60‐65 = D
< 60 = F
77‐79 = C+
Accommodations
The University of Massachusetts Boston is committed to providing reasonable academic
accommodations for all students with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate format upon
request. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the instructor
to discuss needed accommodations. Accommodations will be provided after the student has met with
the instructor to request accommodations. Students must be registered with the Ross Center for
Disability Services, UL 211, www.ross.center@umb.edu , 617.287.7430 before requesting
accommodations from the instructor.
Academic honesty
It is the expressed policy of the University that every aspect of academic life‐‐not only formal
coursework situations, but all relationships and interactions connected to the educational process‐‐shall
be conducted in an absolutely and uncompromisingly honest manner. The University presupposes that
any submission of work for academic credit is the student’s own and is in compliance with University
policies, including its policies on appropriate citation and plagiarism. These policies are spelled out in the
Code of Student Conduct. Students are required to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct, including
requirements for academic honesty, as delineated by the University of Massachusetts, and described
here: http://www.umb.edu/life_on_campus/policies/community/code
Tentative Lecture Schedule (based on Fall 2015 Special Topics offering)
Date
Sept 10
Topic
Notes/offsite location
Course overview
Harbor Campus
Introduction: defining fish; why do we study fish biology?
Chpt 2, Moyle & Cech
Sept 17
Aquatic environments: physical properties and fish habitats
Harbor Campus
Morphology I (external anatomy)
Chpt 3, Moyle & Cech
Morphology I cont.
Sept 24
Morphology II (internal anatomy)
New England Aquarium
Chpt 3, Moyle & Cech)
Oct 1
Field activity – anatomy/dissections
Oct. 8
Evolution/Phylogeny I (jawless fish – cartilaginous fishes)
Aquarium facility in Quincy
Harbor Campus
Chpt 5, Moyle & Cech
Oct 15
Evolution/Phylogeny II (Cartilaginous fish – bony fish)
Harbor Campus
Chpt 5, Moyle & Cech
Oct 22
Evolution/Phylogeny II cont.
New England Aquarium
Chpt 5, Moyle & Cech
Exam I
Oct 29
Harbor Campus
Sensory systems
Chpt 6, Moyle & Cech, Chpt 2, (Eddy & Handy
Nov 5
Reproduction/growth/life history
Harbor Campus
Chpt 3, Eddy & Handy
Nov 12
Buoyancy/locomotion
New England Aquarium
Chpt 8, Moyle & Cech, Chpt 6, Eddy & Handy
Nov 19
Spatial ecology and biogeography
Harbor Campus
Chpt 6, Dobson & Frid
Nov 26
No class (Thanksgiving Holiday)
Dec 3
Community and trophic ecology, predator/prey dynamics
No Class
Species assignment due
Chpt 4, Dobson & Frid
Dec 10
Conservation threats and intro to fisheries biology
Harbor Campus
Chpt 10, Eddy & Handy
Dec 16‐22
Exam II – Final (date TBD)
Harbor Campus
Laboratory Schedule
Date
Topic
Notes/ location
Lab Report
Week 1
Intro to fish laboratory section and basic lab
methods
Harbor Campus
None
Week 2
Seine trip I
South shore
Week 2
Seine trip II
South shore
Week 3
Harvard MCZ fieldtrip
Cambridge, MA
Week 4
Dissection I (teleost)
Quincy, MA
Week 5
Dissection II (elasmobranch)
Quincy, MA
Week 6
Fish behavioral observations I
New England Aquarium
Week 7
Fish aging lab
Lab Report I due
Week 8
Fish reproduction lab
Week 9
Fish behavioral observations II
Week 10
Fish telemetry laboratory
Harbor Campus
Week 11
No class (Thanksgiving Holiday)
Harbor Campus
Week 12
Food web dynamics activity
Week 13
Conservation threats paper discussion
Harbor Campus
Food Web Report due
Week 14
Lab synthesis and review
Harbor Campus
Conservation report due
Harbor Campus
Seine report due
Dissection report due
Ageing report due
New England Aquarium
Lab Report II due
Behavior report due
Telemetry report due