Invasion ecology
Evolutionary ecology
Fisheries biology
Aquaculture in fishless lakes
 
RESEARCH

Our research combines approaches and methods of population ecology, evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, and fisheries biology to study exotic anadromous salmonids of Patagonia as fisheries resources, as agents of ecological impact, and as a model in adaptation and microevolution.

 

The expression of anadromy in fishes triggers profound changes in growth, maturation and survival, with important consequences for the adaptation to new environments, for population dynamics, and the interaction with receiving communities. Our research program looks at exotic salmonids from three different, albeit complementary perspectives.

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Salmonids are exotic species in Patagonia. Our research is directed at identifying attributes of species, lineages and habitats that critically determine the colonization and establishment in new environments, and at evaluating some of their impacts on receiving ecosystems, both marine and continental.  


 

Introduced anadromous salmonids also provide an excellent model to study the process of adaptation and microevolution. Our research regards the responses in behavior, life history, and morphology to novel conditions of receiving environments as a “natural experiment” to study the process of adaptation. This experiment has some unique characteristics: several populations, of known ancestry, established over known time periods and across a wide geographic and environmental gradient.



Meanwhile, anadromous salmonids are important recreational fisheries resources in Patagonia. Their populations sustain World renowned fisheries, including highly valued commercial enterprises. Our research is directed at identifying efficient and economic protocols for fisheries monitoring and assessment as the bases for their management.