At present, the main focus of Ecophysiology (ECOFIS) Team is the use of the esclerochronological and geochemical (elements and stable isotopes) proprieties of otoliths to study the population structure, stock delineation, migratory patterns and habitats connectivity of fish. Additionally, we are developing shell stable isotope and trace element analysis methodologies for accurate age estimation of bivalve species vital for studies of population dynamics.
The team aims to integrate the work with complimentary data (e.g. genetics) providing a basis for fisheries conservation and management decisions. As well as trying to elucidate the biomineralization processes in marine and freshwater bivalves of commercial interest.
We are also working in the physiological and biochemical mechanisms involved in the adaptation of aquatic organisms (e.g. fishes and polychaeta) to environmental stressors (e.g. pharmaceutical pollutants) with the aim of developing several biomarkers (e.g. neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and histological alterations).
