Invertebrate animals (e.g. mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms) comprise about 99% of described species. Many are important fisheries and some are increasingly important in aquaculture. Invertebrates are more anatomically and biologically diverse than finfish, and this diversity must be understood in order to study their fishery management or aquaculture. This course will examine the biology of marine and freshwater invertebrates that are important as fisheries or in aquaculture. Topics will include taxonomy, morphology, distribution, habitat requirements, nutrition, major predators and parasites, significant ecological interactions, and life cycles. Non-food fisheries, such as commercial sponges and pearl oysters, will also be included. The course will be organized by taxonomic groupings, or phyla. Topics will be chosen for their biological relevance to fisheries and aquaculture, but procedural topics (methods, management, models, etc.) will not be emphasized here.
