300068 UE Diversität von marinem Zooplankton und Evolution von Lebenszyklen (2024S)

This course covers various aspects of the life of marine planktonic animals. Key topics such as What is plankton? What are the physical and chemical properties of water and how do these effect life in the water column? Why do animals have larvae? How do larvae and other small animals navigate and orient themselves in water bodies? will be addressed. Specific topics include an introduction to the morphology and diversity of marine larvae, evolutionary aspects of animal life cycles, comparative aspects of the development of marine animals, metamorphosis of larvae, and the like.
In the course we will have live plankton samples from the Mediterrannean which will be investigated using compound and stereo microscopes. In addition, we have a large collection of planktonic animals mounted on glass slides that will be used for more detailed analysis. This practical part will be supplemented by videos and lectures.