Phytoplankton and Their Friends

Join Dr. Margaret “Maggi” Brisbin and Pinellas County Sea Grant Agent Katie Mastenbrook for an opportunity to deep dive into the world of plankton. The presentation will cover plankton communities in the Tampa Bay region, highlighting research on the plant plankton communities know as phytoplankton.

Dr. Brisbin will cover Pyrodinium bahamense (the toxin and light producing species that blooms in Upper Tampa Bay), Karenia brevis (Red Tide), and other lesser-known species important to the region. Dr. Brisbin will share how they monitor and study phytoplankton communities at USF and explain exciting recent research developments. Pinellas County Sea Grant Agent will further showcase other common types of animal plankton known as zooplankton, highlighting the importance of all are plankton species.

Participants will have a chance to view and get a hands-on experience with live plankton samples using traditional microscopes and cutting-edge, automated microscopes.

Host or Publisher WIP Cultural and Natural History Center