IBIOMAR · CONICET · CENPAT · Puerto Madryn

LARBIM

We discover, understand and conserve the marine invertebrates of Patagonia.

Laboratory of Reproduction and Integrative Biology of Marine Invertebrates

Reproductive and development biology Ecotoxicology Benthic Ecology Fisheries Biodiversity and taxonomy Marine Invertebrates Evolutionary Ecology Group

Research lines

Members

Publications

km of Patagonian coast

The lab

Integrative science of the invertebrates of the Patagonian Sea

In the Laboratory of Reproduction and Integrative Biology of Marine Invertebrates (LARBIM) we do research from several perspectives, integrating disciplines such as taxonomy, ecology, biodiversity, fisheries, reproduction, development, ecotoxicology, behavior, anatomy, physiology and molecular biology. We study the marine invertebrates of the Patagonian coasts and the Argentine Sea with special emphasis on gastropods, bivalves, echinoderms and nemerteans. The studies we develop generate, from an integrative approach, useful data for the conservation and management of resources with ecological and economic importance. We also transmit our results to society through specialized publications and scientific outreach actions.

About the lab

What we study

The invertebrates of the Patagonian Sea

We work with the major invertebrate groups of the Patagonian coasts and the Argentine Sea.

Gastropods

Marine snails, the heart of our research: reproduction, fisheries and ecotoxicology.

See all

Bivalves

Mussels, clams and scallops: taxonomy, biodiversity and coastal environments.

See all

Echinoderms

Sea stars and brittle stars: ecology, reproduction and responses to climate change.

See all

Nemerteans

Ribbon worms, a fascinating and little-studied group of the Argentine Sea.

See all

What we research

Research lines

Reproductive and development biology

Reproduction and early developmental stages determine the survival of species. Marine invertebrates show a broad variety of reproductive modalities: external or internal fertilization, planktotrophic or lecithotrophic larvae, direct development, incubation and parental care. We study these processes in molluscs, echinoderms and nemerteans of Patagonia.

Ecotoxicology

We assess the impact of chemical contaminants on Patagonian aquatic environments and the organisms that inhabit them. We work in high-impact ports and remote coastal areas, monitoring endocrine disruptors such as antifouling-paint biocides (TBT), trace metals and hydrocarbons, using marine gastropods as models.

Benthic Ecology

The coasts of Patagonia offer unique environments: over 3,000 kilometres of sandy beaches, boulder shores, salt marshes and rocky intertidals. The extreme conditions, with strong and constant winds, are an ideal setting to test ecological theories. We describe the mechanisms that determine the composition of Patagonian benthic communities.

Fisheries

Marine gastropods are a resource of growing value for the artisanal fisheries of northern Patagonia. We study life cycles, population parameters, minimum sizes at maturity and reproductive cycles to contribute to the sustainable management and conservation of this fishery resource.

Biodiversity and taxonomy

Biodiversity reflects the variability of life on the planet, and understanding it depends on correct taxonomic identification. We describe, name and classify the marine invertebrates of Patagonia (molluscs, echinoderms and nemerteans) to understand the diversity of species and the relationships between them.

Marine Invertebrates Evolutionary Ecology Group

The morphological variation of organisms has attracted interest since ancient times. We study the evolutionary patterns and processes of marine invertebrates combining geometric morphometrics, genetics and the analysis of variation among populations, to understand how the environment shapes form and diversity.

Frontier science

Into the depths of the Argentine Sea

LARBIM researchers took part in the exploration of the Mar del Plata submarine canyon, one of the first dives into the Argentine deep sea alongside the Schmidt Ocean Institute. The expedition revealed coral gardens and around 40 species new to science, and was followed live by nearly 4 million people.

See the expedition

In the field