TVER FLOATING BIOLOGICAL STATION

Prime researcher – D.S. Pavlov, Academician of the RAS

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Laboratory for behaviour of lower vertebrates

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The floating experimental station in Tver' is a subdivision of A.N. Severtsov Institute which is considered as biostation.

This station consists of a stationary research base and a guard-ship used for the needs of a floating ichthyological laboratory. The scientific research is carried out in the basin of the Upper Volga River.

The floating ichthyological laboratory is equipped with experimental hydrodynamic fish installation with working volume of water of 9 m3 and two water pumps. There are also a water basin and an experimental room of 35 m2. Comfortable living conditions (eight cabins, a cabin-company, a cook-room and a shower-room) are at the disposal of a research team. A field material is collected by means of motor-boats.

The floating experimental station allows to conduct researches under field and laboratory conditions and investigate behavioral and ecological characteristics of fish. A wide range of experimental works have been carried out in this station. The obtained data are very helpful for the understanding of regularities and mechanisms of fish behavior in water currents. Theoretical aspects of these researches are related to fish migrations, distribution and the forming of ichthyofauna in water bodies. In practical application these investigations were considered as biological base for the improvement of structures which assist fish migrations and their protection.