Symbioses in Marine Environments: Ecology, Physiology and Impact of climate change
Event
Symbiotic interactions are widespread in Earth’s ecosystems including the marine environment. "Living together” is a good description of the wide spectrum of interactions ranging from predation and parasitism to the positive interactions of commensalism and mutualism most commonly associated with the term symbiosis and where different organisms depend on one another for survival but may not all benefit equally. The most notable example of marine symbiosis are coral reefs – a mutually beneficial relationship between algae and corals — which provides algae with shelter, gives coral reefs their colours and supplies both organisms with nutrients. But the coral reef ecosystem, and its immense biodiversity, relies on many other symbioses, as between cnidarians (e.g., scleractinian corals, octocorals, sea anemones, jellyfish) and multiple organisms including dinoflagellate algae (family Symbiodiniaceae), bivalves, crabs, shrimps, and fishes. Moreover, many other iconic symbiotic associations exist, such as that of the clownfish and its host sea anemone (while able to resist an anemone’s stinging tentacles, the clownfish use the anemones for protection from predators and in return, the clownfish clean the anemones of parasites, provide a source of nitrogen for growth and regeneration, and even help circulate the water around the anemones). Another great example is the case of the marine interspecific cleaning mutualisms, where the so-called client fishes visit the territories of specialized cleaner species (fish or shrimp), known as cleaning stations, to have their ectoparasites and dead or infected tissues removed by these cleaners.
December 09th, 2024
Online Event
Symbiotic interactions are widespread in Earth’s ecosystems including the marine environment. "Living together” is a good description of the wide spectrum of interactions ranging from predation and parasitism to the positive interactions of commensalism and mutualism most commonly associated with the term symbiosis and where different organisms depend on one another for survival but may not all benefit equally. The most notable example of marine symbiosis are coral reefs – a mutually beneficial relationship between algae and corals — which provides algae with shelter, gives coral reefs their colours and supplies both organisms with nutrients. But the coral reef ecosystem, and its immense biodiversity, relies on many other symbioses, as between cnidarians (e.g., scleractinian corals, octocorals, sea anemones, jellyfish) and multiple organisms including dinoflagellate algae (family Symbiodiniaceae), bivalves, crabs, shrimps, and fishes. Moreover, many other iconic symbiotic associations exist, such as that of the clownfish and its host sea anemone (while able to resist an anemone’s stinging tentacles, the clownfish use the anemones for protection from predators and in return, the clownfish clean the anemones of parasites, provide a source of nitrogen for growth and regeneration, and even help circulate the water around the anemones). Another great example is the case of the marine interspecific cleaning mutualisms, where the so-called client fishes visit the territories of specialized cleaner species (fish or shrimp), known as cleaning stations, to have their ectoparasites and dead or infected tissues removed by these cleaners.
Symbiotic interactions shape biodiversity of marine environments, but in current climate change conditions, these pivotal symbioses may falter, leading to a loss of biodiversity. Here we propose to first have a look at these pivotal associations in the sea, from invertebrate to vertebrate organisms and the discuss how changing environmental conditions, which often occur in conjunction with climate change, may produce symbiotic shifts.
PROGRAM
MAIN OBJECTIVES AND SKILLS
Provide an insight on basic symbioses and mutualistic ecology in marine environments.
Discuss main problems concerning the impact of climate change to symbiotic interactions and maintenance.
LECTURES
Day 1
9:45-10:00 | Welcome message
10:00-11:30 | LECTURE: Introduction to Symbiosis in Marine environment by Marta Soares and Pauline Narvaez
11:30-11:45 | Break
11:45-12:45 | Literature review, search for relevant papers
12:45–14:00 | Lunch
14:00–15:00 | PRACTICALS (PART I): Open discussion between lectures and participants
15:00-16:00 | LECTURE: Judith L. Bronstein (University of Arizona): The ecology and evolution of mutualism: a short introduction
16:00-16:15 | Break
16:15–18:00 | PRACTICALS (PART II): Project
Day 2
9:45-11:00 | LECTURE: The Marine cleaning mutualisms: benefits and the costs by Pauline Narvaez
11:00-11:15 | Break
11:15-12:45 | PRACTICALS: Literature review, search for relevant papers, discussion
12:45–14:00 | Lunch
14:00–15:00 | LECTURE: Microbe-Host interactions in marine environments by Raquel Xavier
15:00-15:15 | Break
15:15-16:45 | PRACTICALS (PART I): Open discussion between lectures and participants
16:45–17:00 | Break
17:00–18:00 | PRACTICALS (PART II): Project
Day 3
9:45-11:00 | LECTURE: Parasitism in marine ecosystems by Pauline Narvaez
11:00-11:15 | Break
11:15-12:45 | PRACTICALS: Literature review, search for relevant papers, discussion
12:45–14:00 | Lunch
14:00–15:00 | LECTURE: Bettina Glasl: "Evolution and function of nitrifying symbionts in marine sponges"
15:00-15:15 | Break
15:15-16:45 | PRACTICALS (PART I): Open discussion between lectures and participants
16:45–17:00 | Break
17:00–18:00 | PRACTICALS (PART II): Project
Day 4
9:45-11:00 | LECTURE: Fish and their parasites in a changing ocean by Katie Motson
11:00-11:15 | Break
11:15-12:45 | PRACTICALS: Literature review, search for relevant papers, discussion
12:45–14:00 | Lunch
14:00–15:00 |LECTURE Symbiosis: Symbiosis: Behavioural and Physiological implications by Marta Soares
15:00-15:15 | Break
15:15–16:15 | PRACTICALS (PART I): Open discussion between lectures and participants
16:15-16:30 | Break
16:30-17:30 | LECTURE: Why cnidarians are connected to fish living in social groups by Catheline Froehlich
17:30-18:00 | Open discussion
Day 5
9:45-13:00 | Final discussions. Student/participant proposal presentations of their own themes (Marta Soares, Pauline Narvaez, Raquel Xavier)
15:30-16:30 | Senior seminary by Guest Speaker
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The course will be taught in English, online sessions. Online sessions will be using the ZOOM platform (link to be shared in advance).
Student evaluation - 30 min presentation of a research project related to the goal of the course.
CALENDAR
5 days - 27h (Friday only in the morning) - Schedule: 09:30 - 12:30 & 14:00 - 17:00
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Coordination
Marta Soares | BIOPOLIS-CIBIO
Pauline Narvaez | CNRS Theoretical and Experimental Ecology Station (France)
Raquel Xavier | BIOPOLIS-CIBIO
Raquel Xavier | BIOPOLIS-CIBIO
SELECTION CRITERIA
The course will be open to a maximum number of 20 participants.
75% of available student slots are reserved for BIODIV students.
Priority will be given to:
• 1st year and other PhD students attending the BIODIV Doctoral Program;
• PhD students attending other courses;
• Other post-graduate students and researchers.
(A minimum number of participants is required for the course to take place)
APPLICATION
Deadline: 22 November 2024
To apply fill the FORM
A copy of the form will be sent to the email address you provide as proof that you have successfully submitted your application. Results will be emailed to you within 8 working days of the application deadline.
REGISTRATION
95€ (students) | 200€ (other participants).
BIOPOLIS/ CIBIO members will have an additional discount of 20%. Participation is free of charge for BIODIV Students MBGE 1st year Students & CIBIO's TwinLabs
(If applicable, payment will be made to Associação BIOPOLIS - VAT No. 516033727. Information on the payment amount and the payment deadline will be sent together with the results notification, and a proforma invoice may be issued in due time).
MORE INFORMATION
Registration fees do not include accommodation or meals.
No ECTS credits are awarded for attending the course. Participants receive a certificate of attendance without quantitative evaluation.