Year of Endorsement: 1980

        

Number of Endorsement’s Act/Government’s Gazette Number (FEK): Α’ 17/23-01-1980

 

Address / Communication:

School of Agriculture (New Building), 1^st Floor, A.U.Th. Farm, Thermi, GR57001

Pilot aquaculture system (Ex Anatomy Building), A.U.Th. Farm, Thermi, GR57001

and

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Campus), School of Agriculture, Department of Animal Production, 2^nd Floor, GR54124

 

Email: apaposto@agro.auth.gr

Tel.: +302310 998683

 

Members – Teaching Staff

Apostolos Apostolidis, Professor

Tel.: +30 2310 998683

e-mail: apaposto@agro.auth.gr

 

 Ioannis Giantsis, Assistant Professor 

Tel.: +30 2310 998864, +30 2310 991721

e-mail: igiants@agro.auth.gr

 

Dr. Anastasia Tsirika, Laboratory Teaching Staff

Tel.: +30 2310 998684, 2310991720

e-mail: atsirika@agro.auth.gr

 

Collaborating Scientists

Maria Alvanou, Postdoctoral Researcher

Dimitrios Papadopoulos, Postdoctoral Researcher

Anna Maria Anastasiou, PhD Student

Stella Tzatzani, PhD Student

 

Research Field

The Laboratory covers the following fields of study:

• Ichthyology
• Aquaculture (fish farming, shellfish culture, crustacean farming, and algae cultivation)
• Genetics of fish and other aquatic organisms
• Molecular physiology of aquatic organisms
• Fisheries
• Fish nutrition
• Biotic and abiotic factors in aquatic ecosystems
• Description and analysis of Benthic Communities
• Climate change and aquatic populations

The lab provides essential knowledge for graduates in Animal Production Sector.

 

History

Over the last few decades, the rapid expansion of the aquaculture sector in Greece has highlighted the critical need for educating and training new scientists dedicated to the economic and sustainable management of aquatic resources.

The Laboratory of Ichthyology and Fisheries was established in 1980 (Government Gazette A’ 17/23-01-1980) and is part of the Department of Animal Production, in School of Agriculture, within the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment. The Laboratory’s research and teaching activities are conducted at its facilities located in the new building of the School of Agriculture, situated at the University Farm in Thermi (Figures 1 & 2).

Figures 1 & 2. Laboratory of Icthyology and Fisheries (A.U.Th. Farm).

 

Laboratory members participate in various research projects funded by National public and private entities and collaborate with other institutions and organizations for the implementation of European and International projects.

The laboratory also features a fully equipped experimental Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), specifically designed for bivalves (Figure 3). It operates with seawater sourced from nearby coastal areas, supported by a continuous filtration system. The tanks can be adjusted to different temperatures ranging from 10 to 35°C, while dissolved oxygen, pH, and other abiotic parameters can also be regulated. An automated photoperiod system is also available.

In addition to the experimental infrastructure, the laboratory includes all the necessary equipment for genetic and molecular analysis, such as PCR cyclers (real-time and conventional), spectrophotometers and Nanodrop, -80°C and -20°C freezers. In addition, the basic laboratory equipment (including pipettes, electrophoresis systems, and centrifuges) is complete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 3. Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) in the Laboratory of Ichthyology and Fisheries.

 

Teaching Activities

The members of the Laboratory of Icthyology and Fisheries are responsible for teaching four (4) undergraduate courses within the School of Agriculture (Icthyology and Fisheries Ν077Ε, Genetic Improvement of Farm Animals Ν404Υ, Aquacultures Ν440Υ, Fish Nutrition Ν426Ε). Additionally, they teach postgraduate courses as part of the MSc program “Genetics, Breeding and production of propagation materials” at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and “Livestock and Wildlife Management” at the University of Western Macedonia. Furthermore, the lab members supervise undergraduate, postgraduate (Master’s), and doctoral (PhD) theses.

 

Research Activities

The main research activities of the laboratory include:

• Genetics of aquatic organisms (Figure 4)
• Environmental Biology of fish and shellfish in marine and inland waters
• Discrimination and Identification of related fish species
• Study and Protection of potentially threatened fish stocks
• Ecology of Benthic Communities (Figure 5)
• Taxonomy of micro- and macroalgae
• Monitoring, Mapping, and Management of coastal and marine habitat types, including priority habitats (Figure 6)
• Promotion of Aquatic Resources and alternative forms of fisheries and tourism
• Use of Bioindicators to characterize the ecological status of water bodies (Figure 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 4. DNA extraction from aquatic organisms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 5. Benthic communities on hard substrate.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 6. The priority habitat type 1120* (Posidonia beds).

Figure 7. In situ measurements for the estimation of ecological status in water bodies.

 

Facilities and Equipment

The Laboratory’s equipment includes:

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) (Figure 8)
• Horizontal and vertical gel electrophoresis systems (Figure 9)
• Device generating light at UV wavelengths for the detection of nucleic acids after electrophoresis (including a camera system)
• Centrifuges
• Water distillation system
• Waterbath,
• Vertical laminar flow,
• pH meter,
• Adjustable volume micropipettes,
• Stereoscope,
• Microscope,
• Laboratory precision balance of 0.1mg,
• Refrigerators and freezers, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 8. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 9. Electrophoresis system.

 

 

Recent Research Projects

• SturNet https://www.sturnet.eu/ SturNet aims to contribute to the long-term conservation of sturgeon species in the Black Sea region by establishing a transnational cooperation network and a real-time digital mapping tool. These ancient fish face growing threats due to habitat degradation, pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Since sturgeons migrate across borders, coordinated action among countries is crucial.

 

Recent Theses

PhD Theses:

• Anastasiou Anna Maria (2025–present): Strengthening the fishery of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus through alternative by-product utilization methods
• Tzatzani Stella (2026–present): Evaluation of the effects of carp Cyprinus carpio introductions in the artificial lake Polyfytou using molecular markers

 

Diploma Theses:

• KOUKOURAKI VAGIA (2026): The meadows of marine angiosperm Posidonia oceanica in Natura 2000 sites in the North Aegean Sea.
• MARGARITI MARIA (2025): Molecular identification of the red mullet (Mullus barbatus) focusing on commercial fraud detection.
• TEPETIDOU OLGA (2023): Algae as feed ingredients.
• SAKKA AIKATERINI (2023): The dietary habits of herbivores fish in the Greek sea.
• LAMPROU AGGELOS (2023): Allocthonous species in Greek seas.
• SAKALI AGGELIKI (2023): Sustainable practices in Marine Aquacultures, emphasizing in Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture.
• TZATZANI STELLA (2022): Genetic identification among species of Mullidae family based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.
• MYLONELI VAIA (2021): Assessment of coastal water quality using biomarkers.
• STEFANIDIS GEORGIOS (2021): Effects of anthropogenic pressures on the underwater meadow of the protected Mediterranean angiosperm Posidonia oceanica in the North Aegean.
• GEORGAKA CHATZOUDI THEODORA THEMIDA (2021): The population of Seahorses in the sea area of Stratoni (North Aegean).
• MARIA LUIZA PETRE (2020): Impacts of aquaculture on the marine environment.