Research Lines

– Histology and histometry applied to the description and quantification of reproductive cells.
– Study of ontogenetic development in fish through serial sectioning of larvae.
– Proximal composition analysis in tissues as indicators of nutritional condition in fish.
– Analysis of the physiological condition of broodstock through hormone assays.
– Analysis of the RNA/DNA ratio as an indicator of nutritional condition in larvae.
– Analysis of structural changes in exploited populations and their effects on reproductive potential and recruitment.
– Characterization of the reproductive strategy of species through biological studies at the tissue and population level, complemented by physical environmental analysis.

General Objective:

The studies carried out in the ECOR Lab have the general objective of contributing to the analysis of the reproductive biology of marine organisms, in order to evaluate the effects of fishing and environmental changes on the reproductive potential of populations and their possible relationship with recruitment variability.

Specific Objectives:

– Describe the maturation process and determine the spawning mechanism of species through macroscopic, histological, biochemical, and physiological analysis of broodstock.
– Delimit spawning areas and determine the reproductive cycle of species.
– Characterize reproductive areas based on the analysis of oceanographic aspects.
– Estimate the reproductive potential of populations through calculations of fecundity, spawning frequency, and broodstock size composition.
– Estimate size and age at first maturity in populations.
– Assess spawning quality through studies of broodstock proximal composition.
– Analyze larval condition using histological techniques and the application of biochemical methods (RNA/DNA).
– Analyze the effects of fishing exploitation and environmental changes on the renewal potential and recruitment of populations.
– Compare the reproductive tactics adopted by different populations based on their life histories and physical conditions in the spawning areas.