IBIOMAR · CONICET · CENPAT

The lab

LARBIM is part of the Institute of Biology of Marine Organisms (IBIOMAR, CCT CONICET-CENPAT), in Puerto Madryn.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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