A sound taxonomic training is crucial to understand how diversity operates. Sipunculan worms, when worked on a worldwide basis, allow to observe the progressive adaptation of a 'bauplan' to several contrasting marine biotopes. On the other hand, our respect for the ancient taxonomic work of the pioneering naturalists has led to a careful re-description of many old sipunculan types, housed in the collections of different European Museums of Natural History. Another matter of concern in our research originates from the fact that diversity is currently jeopardized by anthropogenic influences, such as pollution. We try to use the loss of diversity and other community structural descriptors as measures which enable us to quantify adverse biological responses in those biotopes affected by pollution all around our geographical area. The selection of bioindicators and biomonitors, as well as the development of toxicity tests and bioassays, focused on indigeneous species, are points of special interest in our ongoing research. Finally it also deserves our attention the study of different community structural descriptors under the extreme polar conditions of Antarctica. The political situation of our country, Spain, is offering golden opportunities to scientists interested in developing studies of biodiversity in this remote area. This is also a major topic of our research. - Senior Lecturer of Zoology. University of the Basque Country (Bilbao, Spain) (1988 +). - Post-doctoral scholar in "Zoologisches Museum und Institut" (Hamburg, Germany) and "Senckenberg Institut" (Frankfurt/Main, Germany) (1985) - Post-graduate scholar in "Laboratoire des Vers" located at
the "Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle" (Paris, France) (1981-82).
- PhD in Biology, University of the Basque Country (Bilbao, Spain) (1983). - Master Thesis, University of the Basque Country (Bilbao, Spain) (1980). - BSc, Biology, University of the Basque Country (Bilbao, Spain) (1980). - Iberian Fauna I. CSIC-DGICYT: PB87-0397. (1987-89). - Use of bioindicators in the assessment of pollution in the Bilbao Estuary. Funded by the Basque Government (Spain) + Univ. Basque Country. References: GV-154.310-A040/92 + UPV 154.310-EA171/92. (1993-94). - Benthic fauna and flora from the southern area of Livingston Island (Antarctica). Funded by the Spanish CICYT. References: ANT 93-0996, ANT-1161/94-E, ANT95-1011. (1994-97). - Biological Surveillance of the Port of Bilbao. Funded by the Bilbao Port Authority. (1994-97). Saiz Salinas, J.I. 1983. Los tipos de sipunculidos de De Quatrefages del Museo de París. Servicio Editorial de la Univ. País Vasco, Bilbao, 258 pp. Saiz Salinas, J.I. 1993. Sipuncula. En: Fauna Ibérica, vol. 4. Ramos, M.A. et al (Eds.) Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC. Madrid. 200 pp. Saiz Salinas, J.I. 1995. Sipuncula of the southeastern Weddell Sea (Antarctica). Polar Biology, 15: 307-317. Gibbs, P.E. & J.I. Saiz Salinas, 1996. The occurence of the estuarine polychaete Lycastopsis littoralis (Namanereidinae: Nereididae) in the Ria de Bilbao, northern Spain. J.mar. Biol. Ass. UK, 76: 617-623. Saiz Salinas, J.I. & I. Isasi Urdangarin, 1994. Response of sublittoral invertebrates to estuarine sedimentation in the harbour of Bilbao (N. Spain). P.S.Z.N.I: Mar. Ecol., 15 : 105-131. Saiz Salinas, J.I. & G. Frances Zubillaga, 1997. Tidal zonation on mud flats in a polluted estuary caused by oxygen-depleted water. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. | ||||||||
