This research unit operates in the marine sciences.
It grew from an initial core of researchers dedicated to
the study of fish behaviour, especially in littoral fish.
The study of behaviour of littoral fish led the team to
extend its activities to the study of fish ecology, larval
biology, monitoring and conservation, biogeography, phylogeny,
phylogeography and evolution; estuarine and freshwater fish
were also integrated in our area of research.
A great emphasis was placed on monitoring fish communities
and in collecting base line data on the temporal dynamics
on fish assemblages, crucial information to investigate
problems associated with global warming and to delineate
strategies of conservation of aquatic organisms and habitats.
In this respect, the study of fish was also integrated with
other aquatic organisms, namely marine mammals and marine
birds. The study of behaviour also led to an integrative
approach, with particular emphasis on the interrelationships
between behavioural and physiological processes, in particular
with studies in behaviour endocrinology of vertebrates.
The Unit is led by a coordinator (Vítor Almada)
and is divided in two research groups – Biology and
conservation of aquatic organisms, led by the coordinator,
with 10 PhDs, and integrative behavioral biology, led by
Rui Oliveira, with 4 PhDs. The two research lines correspond
to lines of development outlined above. The scientific activity
of the Unit as a whole is oriented by the Unit leader and
its PhD members plus an external advisory board, mainly
composed of foreign researchers. Administrative activities
are provided by the hosting Institution, that also support
the work of a biologist secretary for the Unit.
