606-203 Phytoplankton and Seaweeds of Australia

Not available for students who have completed 606-202 prior to 2002.

This subject is required for a marine biology major.

Formerly known as 606-203 Biodiversity of Protists.

Biology 650-141 and 650-142 (prior to 2004: 600-141 and 600-142).

This subject introduces the major groups of the kingdom Protista, concentrating on their diversity, structure, biology, systematic relationships and evolution. Emphasis is placed on Australian species. Topics covered include:

• the classification, morphology and cytology of the protistan phyla: 1) the macroscopic green, brown and red seaweeds; 2) the microalgal and phytoplankton classes: diatoms, dinoflagellates, chlorophytes, chrysophytes and other lesser-known but ecologically and phylogenetically significant groups;

• the evolutionary history of protistan organisms;

• the economic impacts, positive and negative, of algal organisms; and

• the importance of algae to biodiversity and marine ecosystems.

After completion of the subject, students will have acquired a knowledge and appreciation of:

• the variety and classification of algae and other protists;

• the extraordinary richness and biodiversity of southern Australian marine macroalgae;

• techniques for identifying macroscopic and microscopic algal organisms;

• modern cytological research and the ultrastructural, biochemical and molecular approaches to algal study;

• the pivotal roles that ancient bacterial and photosynthetic organisms have played in the evolution of mitochondria and chloroplasts;

• how to set up and use dissecting and phase-contrast compound microscopes; and

• how to interpret and draw important features of cells and organisms.

Two 2-hour laboratory examinations during the semester (20% each); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (60%).