Julian Dodson
Biology Department
Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon
Laval University
Québec (Québec)
G1K 7P4
Canada

Tél.: 1 418 656-3289
Télécopieur: 1 418 656-2043
e-mail: Julian.Dodson@bio.ulaval.ca

Teaching

BIO-18467 Ichtyologie: écologie et évolution des poissons

BIO-63125 Évolution du cycle vital

General Theme of Research Projects

The major research objective of Julian Dodson's laboratory is to establish how environmental variability acting on the growth and survival of larval and juvenile fishes influences the evolution of life-history strategies in diadromous species. To this end, the laboratory conducts research on the mechanisms of population differentiation, including larval retention, growth and survival in population-specific nursery areas and the environmental and genetic control of alternative reproductive and migratory strategies and tactics. Research findings are of fundamental importance as well as providing the knowledge needed for the wise management of these resources. The lab is funded by NSERC, the Ocean Tracking Network and the Canadian Healthy Oceans Network.

Current research projects include the evolutionary ecology of estuarine populations of rainbow smelt, the population genetics of capelin, the environmental control of alternative reproductive and migratory strategies in Atlantic salmon and American eels and the migratory behaviour of American eels during their migration through the St. Lawrence River on their way to the Sargasso Sea.

Our studies generally involve collaboration with the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune (MRNF, Quebec Government), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, (DFO, Canada) and are contributions to the scientific programs of CIRSA (Centre interuniversitaire de recherche sur le saumon atlantique) and Québec-Océan.