Studies are conducted in this area to monitor the genetic reserves of the Mediterranean populations of the brown trout (Salmo trutta) and about the conservation of fish species in danger of extinction, such as the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and small mammals such as hedgehogs (Atelerix algirus), reptiles and amphibians. Populations of invading species are also studied, such as the Eastern mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki), the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea).

This line includes studies on the sustainable management of fishing marine species such as pink shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) and pelagic fish such as tuna (Thunnus thynnus), swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus). For example, the main aim behind the study relating to pink shrimp is to determine the connectivity between the various fishing grounds thanks to the migration of adult individuals and the dispersion of larvae. Work is also going on with theInternational Council Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) in projects evaluating small-tuna fishing grounds.

This line of research involves developing the necessary molecular markers for conducting all the other studies, such as the new microsatellite loci which enable pink shrimp, zebra mussel and Asian clam populations to be monitored. Genomic studies are also made on the invading populations of the Eastern mosquito fish, on adaptations to the Mediterranean climate of native trout and three-spined stickleback populations, and on the fine population structure in bonito (Sarda sarda). Another aim in this line is to take part in the development of molecular markers that can facilitate XRaq (Catalan Government’s R&D&I Reference Network in Aquaculture) research.