Training future taxonomists while making natural science data available are key elements to enhance scientific research on biodiversity. The goal of this innovative cross-disciplinary workshop is to bring together professional taxonomists, researchers, collection managers, and students to speed up the digitization of natural collections while transmitting knowledge on taxonomic expertise and collection management.
During the workshop we will study a wide variety of deep-sea sponges from the classes Hexactinellida and Demospongiae. These specimens were collected in New Caledonia through the French Tropical Deep-sea Benthos Program and are housed in the collections of the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) in Paris.
During 10 days, we will sort specimens to the lowest taxonomic level possible. We will learn how to prepare slides for spicule analyses and use best practices to data collection management, preservation, and traceability. In addition, there will be courses on Porifera taxonomy, evolutionary genetics, and deep-sea ecology.
The objectives are to inspire students’ enthusiasm for taxonomic expertise, facilitate the transmission of knowledge in taxonomy, and enhance the global visibility of the collections by digitizing them into the public databases of the MNHN.
The workshop will take place at the Natural History Museum of Paris for 2 weeks and will be organized as follows: in the morning, classes will be given by taxonomists, researchers and collections managers. In the afternoon, students will help taxonomists to sort and identify specimens. Techniques for preparing specimens for their scientific study (e.g. preparing slides, taking photos, and collating the metadata necessary for digitization) will also be discussed throughout the week. The course is in English.
Trainers
- Magalie Castelin, UMR ISYEB, MNHN, France
- ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9984-2122
- Deep-sea benthic ecology and evolution
- Paco Cardenas, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4045-6718
- Porifera systematic, ecology, and evolution
- Lim Swee-Cheng, National University of Singapore.
- ORCID ID: 0009-0008-4979-1348
- Porifera systematic, ecology, and evolution
- Christine Morrow, Queen’s University Belfast, Great Britain.
- ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5686-8747
- Porifera systematic, ecology, and evolution
- Celso Domingos, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
- ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8101-1734
- Porifera systematic, ecology, and evolution
- Claudia Ratti, UMR ISYEB, MNHN, France
- ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8335-567X
- Research engineer and collection manager
- Sarah Samadi, UMR ISYEB, MNHN, France
- ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0725-9368
- Deep-sea benthic ecology and evolution
- Cyril Chambard, DGDC, MNHN
- Collection manager
Types of training/ Implementation method
- Theoretical seminars/lectures
- Practical experience-lab work
Prerequisites
What trainees need to bring
- A dissection kit containing metal inox tools: 1 scalpel, 3 tweezers of different sizes (large, medium, precision), 1 pairs of scissors. See for example: https://www.deltamicroscopies.com/en/products/dissection-kit-12-pro-stainless-steel-instruments-academics-students/
- Pencil, notebook.
- Students can bring their laptop if they wish to use it during the practical work.
Application procedure
Registration is free but necessary to anticipate coffee breaks and discussions. Don’t forget to register by sending an email to: magalie.castelin(at)mnhn.fr
Registration deadline: November 15th, 2024
Participant quota (min and max number of trainees)
Min: n.a. ; Max: 15
Grant opportunities
External funding/sponsoring
None
Learning outcomes
Training Course learning outcomes
- In-depth exploration of porifera morphology, taxonomy, ecology, and genetics
- Hands-on training in species identification techniques and taxonomic key usage
- Examination of the latest research and advancements in porifera taxonomy and deep-sea benthic ecology
- Interactive discussions and case studies led by experienced taxonomists and collection managers
- Practical courses: From raw specimen collection to digitization of taxonomically identified specimen
- A brief introduction to species delimitation and molecular taxonomy
Certifications provided
The course corresponds to 7.5 ECTS
Mode of trainees’ assessment
Τhe presence at the courses should validates ECTS (7.5) but this still need to be confirmed.
Files/Documents
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