Rapid Identification of Common Freshwater Algae Genera. by K.M. Knutson and J.C. Sterk. Wm.C.Brown Publishers, Dubuque, Iowa. (Interactive software that provides fast, efficient identification of key algal genera). Released September 1995. Cost: $40 Macintosh Ver: ISBN 0-697-27534-5 Windows DOS Ver:0-697-27533-7
A modern approach to the identification of algal genera using state-of-the-art multimedia software that displays graphic images of algae key features to select from. The user is presented with questions and graphic plates of algae features requesting the user to make a choice. Algal features include cell wall shape, chloroplast shape, filamentous or colonial habit, motility, some ecology, and others. Unlike a dichotomous text key that is slow and requires numerous glossary visits, this graphic picture key is fast, efficient, and accurate. The data base consists of 250 genera and 750 example species. The software has a unique testing module, browse and flashcard algae feature, modern classification of all algae in the program, text describing the key features, combined glossary and bibliography, and more. The program was tested in phycology classes and shown to be an excellent supplement to labs guides and texts. Students purchased their own copies to study the algae.
As with all software and texts their half-life is short due to the rapid change in technology and knowledge. New versions are in progress incorporating all user comments-please send them. Hopefully in 1997 ver 2 will appear in the same format and ver 3 will be a CDRom with real images for 1998.
Available from: Wm.C.Brown Publishers,
2460 Kerper Boulevard,
Dubuque, Iowa, 52001.
Email: custserv@tmhe.com.
Dr. Knutson, Email: kknutson@tigger.stcloud.msus.edu
Phycological Journals
Before 50th annual conference of PSA in Asilomar (1996), old phycologist (me) wishes to reduce burden on office shelves by disposing of following phycological journals (unbound sets, complete or almost so) for benefit of PSA endowment fund or some other deserving organization (not me). Interested librarians at universities or research institutions, or appropriately wealthy individuals, please contact J. Robert Waaland (jrw@u.washington.edu) to make arrangements for purchase and shipment from SIO. Journals include: J . Phycol. l965-, Br. Phycol. J. 1966-, Phycologia l961-, Phykos 1970-75, Algological Studies l975- ----Ralph A. Lewin
VIII International Conference on Harmful Algae
The VIII International Conference on Harmful Algae will take place in Vigo, Spain, between 25th and 29th June, 1997. The conference will be hosted by the Spanish Oceanographic Institute, the Ministry of Health, European Union Reference Laboratory, and the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Shellfisheries of the Galician Government.
Contributions are invited on all aspects of toxic and harmful algae (including brackish and freshwater cyanobacteria, and ciguatera agents). Papers which address the following problems will be especially welcome:
- Empirical and model studies of the population dynamics of harmful algae blooms, including the coupling of physical and biological processes, harmful algae-zooplankton interactions, growth patterns;
- Ecophysiological, biochemical and toxicological aspects of harmful and toxic algae species;
- Problems related to monitoring, aquaculture, public health and the management of harmful algae events and their economic impacts.
Vigo is the most populous city of Galicia (NW Spain), and lies about 1 hour by road from the capital of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, and 2 hours from Oporto in Portugal. Santiago and Oporto both have international airports, and there is a daily (except Sundays) air link between Vigo and Paris, as well as several daily flights between Vigo and Madrid and Barcelona. For further information , please contact:
Beatriz Reguera, Conference Coordinator,
VIII International Conference on Harmful Algae,
Instituto Espanol de Oceanografica,.
Aptdo 1552,
36280 Vigo, Spain.
COURSES
Systematics and Ecology of Diatoms
The annual course in Systematics and Ecology of Diatoms will again be offered at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory and will run from 24 June to July 19 1996. Gene Stoermer, University of Michigan will be the primary instructor, Matt Julius will assist, and Charlie Reimer, Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia, will be in residence. This is a concentrated, field oriented class is suitable for students of any level who desire a general introduction to diatoms and advanced students who wish to utilize freshwater diatoms in systematic, ecological or paleontological investigations. Because of limited enrollment, individual student needs can be accommodated. A limited number of research spaces for senior investigators are also available.
For those with internet access, the Iowa Lakeside Lab home page is: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/lakeside/lakehome.html. Other contacts are:
For course information: For brochure and registration:
Dr. E. F. Stoermer Iowa Lakeside Laboratory
Center for Great Lakes 131 Bessey Hall
University of Michigan Iowa State University
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099 Ames, IA 50011
Ph. 313/761-5238 Ph. 515/294-9777
Email - stoermer@umich.edu E-mail: lakeside@iastate.edu
Algal Ecology at Flathead Lake
Algal Ecology will be offered at the Flathead Lake Biological Station. This four week course in July, will cover the taxonomy, physiology and ecology of oxygen-producing photosynthetic non-vascular organisms. Freshwater species will be emphasized. Field and laboratory experiments will be employed to explore the biotic and abiotic factors influencing community structure and primary productivity. The interactions of algae with human ecology will be discussed. It will be taught by Dr. Walter Dodds, Kansas State University
Flathead Lake Biological Station is a Center of Excellence of the University of Montana, located in a pristine, mountain setting on the shore of Flathead Lake, 85 miles north of Missoula Montana. The station offers an outstanding summer academic program for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Other courses to be offered during the 1996 session include: Animal Behavior, Ecology of Birds, Ecology of Mammals, Terrestrial Plant Ecology, River Ecology, Comparative Ecology of Ecosystems and Current Topics in Field Ecology.
For more information, phone (406) 982-3301, fax (406) 982-3201 or write: Dr. Jack Stanford, Director, Flathead Lake Biological Station, The University of Montana, 311 Bio Station Lane, Polson, MT 59860-9659.
back to top
Friday Harbor Laboratories Summer 1996--Marine Phycology
Marine Phycology (Botany 545a, First Term, June 10 to July 13, 1996, 9 credits). Lectures will cover the fundamentals of benthic marine algae including systematics, morphology, development, life histories, ecology and physiology. Special topics lectures will include laboratory culture, evolution, phylogeny, economically important algae, algal-herbivore interactions, and algal biogeography. A major emphasis of the course will be field and laboratory studies of the diverse marine flora of the northeast Pacific, one of the richest in the world. A three day camping field trip to the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia is scheduled for one low tide series. Students will be encouraged to conduct experiments on algal physiology, growth and reproduction, perform field work, and will learn techniques of culturing algae. The course is appropriate for students whose major is marine botany as well as for students who plan to work with marine algae as experimental systems in the laboratory, in marine ecology and other areas of marine biology where a knowledge of benthic marine plants, their use in the laboratory and their role in marine ecosystems is important. Core Faculty are Dr. Steven N. Murray, California State University, Fullerton, California, and Dr. J. Robert Waaland, University of Washington, Seattle.
The Friday Harbor Laboratories are located on San Juan Island about 70 miles (112 km) northwest of Seattle, Washington. The laboratories, housing and dining hall are situated on a 484 acre (196 ha) tract of forested land which is a biological preserve. Several large tracts of seashore and tidelands managed by the University of Washington provide a large diversity of habitats for field trips and research projects. Several small boats are available for field work as well as a 42 foot (12.8 m) dredging boat for collecting in the deep waters of the San Juan Archipelago. The teaching and research laboratories are equipped with running seawater aquaria and controlled environmental chambers are available for research requiring such facilities. A variety of sophisticated instrumentation and computing equipment is available for use by students and other investigators. An extensive library is located at the Friday Harbor Laboratories and additional library materials are readily borrowed from other libraries in the University of Washington system.
This course is intended primarily for graduate students, but well- qualified undergraduates are encouraged to apply. A limited number of scholarships are available on a competitive basis through the Friday Harbor Labs (apply for FHL financial aid on Student Application form) and the Croasdale Fellowships of the Phycological Society of America.
For an application form, fee schedule, housing information, and FHL scholarship applications, several options are available:
- By mail, telephone, FAX, or e-mail, request a current hard copy FHL Bulletin from:
Friday Harbor Laboratories, 620 University Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Phone:(206) 378-2165 FAX:(206)543-1273 e-mail: admin@fhl.washington.edu
- By FHL's info-server which has much of the information in the FHL Bulletin as well as application forms which can be filed by e-mail. Contact the instructor's by email at the addresses below for details.
- By visiting the Home Page for the University of Washington's Friday Harbor Laboratories: http://www.fhl.washington.edu
- By writing, telephoning, FAXing or e-mailing: J. Robert Waaland, Department of Botany, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, phone:(206) 543-7098; FAX:(206) 685-1728; e-mail: jrw@u.washington.edu
or
Steven N. Murray, Department of Biological Science, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92634 Phone: (714) 449-7291; FAX (714) 773-3426; e-mail: smurray@fullerton.edu
Deadline for receipt of application materials is March 1. Late applications will be considered on a space-available basis.
back to top
Freshwater Phycology
The annual course in Freshwater Phycology will again be offered at The University of Michigan Biological Station and will run from 22 June to 17 August 1996. Rex Lowe, Bowling Green State University will be the primary instructor, Steve Francoeur will assist. This is a strongly field oriented course and is suitable for students with a good biology background who desire specialized training in freshwater algae. The course emphasizes collection and identification of freshwater algae and application of this information in the larger scope of aquatic ecosystems. Each student will develop an independent research project applying their mastered skills in freshwater phycology. Northern Michigan is particularly rich in chrysophytes , diatoms and desmids and is an excellent region to become familiar with these groups. Students will be introduced to the floras of streams, bogs, fens, marshes and lakes, including the Great Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior. Complementary courses available include Ecology of Streams and Rivers (Jan Stevenson and Mike Wiley) and Limnology (Nancy Tuchman and Chuck Elzinga).
Generous scholarships are available at the biological station. Interested individuals may contact me directly or may explore the University of Michigan Biological Station's home page at http://www.umich.edu/~umbs/
For course information, brochure and application:
Dr. Rex L. Lowe UMBS
Dept. of Biological Sciences 1111 Nat. Sci. Bldg.
Bowling Green State University Univ. of Michigan
Bowling Green, OH 43403 Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048
Ph. 419-372-8562 Ph. 313-763-4461
Email: lowe@opie.bgsu.edu E-mail: umbs@umich.edu
back to top
Phycological Newsletter Vol. 32, No. 1 April 1996
Last updated: Nov. 08, 2005
