2023 Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) Meiofauna Diversity and Taxonomy Workshop
Dates: May 10-19, 2023
Location: Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL
Cost: Free!
Application deadline: February 10, 2023
Organizers:
Will Ballentine – Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Kelly Dorgan – Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Ken Halanych – University of North Carolina Wilmington
Kevin Kocot – University of Alabama
Nick Roberts – University of Alabama
Mentors:
Thiago Araujo – University of Massachusetts Lowell – Gastrotricha & Rotifera
Will Ballentine – Dauphin Island Sea Lab – Annelida & burrowing of meiofauna
Jimmy Bernot – Smithsonian Institution – Copepoda & other crustaceans
Kelly Dorgan – Dauphin Island Sea Lab – Annelida, functional morphology, and benthic ecology
Erin Easton – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – Benthic ecology and evolution
Ken Halanych – University of North Carolina Wilmington – Annelida, deep metazoan phylogeny, & metabarcoding
Kevin Kocot - University of Alabama Tuscaloosa – Mollusca, Hemichordata, & genomics
Stephen Landers – Troy University – Kinorhyncha
Nick Roberts – University of Alabama – Entoprocta & genomics
Julian Smith – Winthrop University – Platyhelminthes & Acoelomorpha
Ashleigh Smythe – Virginia Military Institute – Nematoda
Katrine Worsaae – University of Copenhagen – Annelida
Meghan Yap-Chiongco – University of Alabama – Meiofaunal molluscs, genomics, & biomineralization
Colleagues in training:
Katherine Garcia (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley)
Arno Hagenbeek (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology)
Kellan Hoffman (University of Alabama)
Kimi Kim (Ewha Womans University)
Joseph Kirangwa (University of Cologne)
Emily Kornblum (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley)
Jack Kwan (University of Southern Denmark)
Adele Maciute (University of Gothenburg)
Regine Manglicmot (University of British Columbia)
Kelly Markello (California Academy of Sciences)
Samantha Tong (National University of Singapore)
Sarai Vega (University of Guam)
Joel Wernström (Arctic University Museum of Norway)
Background:
The term "meiofauna" refers to tiny animals capable of passing through a ~0.5-mm mesh. Many meiofaunal animals are interstitial, meaning they burrow in marine sediments. Several entire phyla (such as kinorhynchs, gastrotrichs, and gnathostomulids), major clades of other invertebrate phyla (especially arthropods, nematodes, annelids and flatworms), and miniaturized representatives of most other animal phyla are meiofaunal. Meiofaunal animals have been estimated to account for half of the biodiversity in complex biotopes such as coral reefs, with most of it associated with sediments. While the great phylum- and class- level diversity of meiofauna is well-known, the species-level diversity remains largely unexplored and undocumented. By some estimates, the number of species of meiofaunal nematodes alone that waiting to be formally named dwarfs the number of already described meiofaunal species by two orders of magnitude. Morphological studies of meiofauna have led to groundbreaking insights about their evolution, adaptation, and functional biology (e.g., adhesive and sensory structures), as well as fundamental insights into the evolution of the major animal groups in the tree of life. More recently, advances in molecular biology ranging from DNA barcoding to metabarcoding to whole-genome sequencing have accelerated the pace of the study of all aspects of the biology of meiofauna.
Course description:
The overarching goals of this course are to help train the next generation of marine invertebrate taxonomists and to improve the availability of DNA barcode data for expert-identified marine meiofauna in public databases. The course will familiarize students with the vast biodiversity of marine meiofauna through field and laboratory work and produce a collection of expert-identified specimens that will be used for whole-genome amplification for DNA barcoding and other potential future uses such as genomics. We will take a taxon-survey approach to emphasize practical skills essential for collection, identification, characterization, preservation, and molecular analysis of meiofauna. Sampling of diverse habitats on Dauphin Island will provide a wealth of specimens of diverse taxa for our investigations.
World experts will give lectures on their taxa of interest and other areas of expertise. Morphological laboratory work will emphasize the preparation of specimens for microscopic examination and identification to the level possible with light microscopy. We will not conduct molecular work during the course, but students will learn about sampling and preservation of specimens for molecular techniques and cutting-edge molecular approaches being applied to marine meiofauna. In parallel to the course, we will be conducing sampling for DNA metabarcoding of meiofauna communities around Dauphin Island. Participants will be expected devote significant effort to collection, identification, and preservation of specimens for molecular work as well as help with compilation of species lists, images, and metadata that will be released public databases to broadly benefit the community. Participants will have the opportunity to collect specimens for their own research.
Due to space constraints, the course is limited to just 10 students. We use the term "student" broadly and will consider applicants at diverse career stages interested in studying meiofauna. The course is free, but students will be responsible for travel expenses. Housing in the DISL dorms and meals at the DISL cafeteria will be provided for students.
How to apply:
The deadline to submit applications closed on February 10th, 2023. Students admitted to the course will receive a letter of invitation in early March at the latest. International students will be responsible for securing a visa (if required).
Please contact Kevin Kocot ([email protected]) with any questions about the course.
Dates: May 10-19, 2023
Location: Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL
Cost: Free!
Application deadline: February 10, 2023
Organizers:
Will Ballentine – Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Kelly Dorgan – Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Ken Halanych – University of North Carolina Wilmington
Kevin Kocot – University of Alabama
Nick Roberts – University of Alabama
Mentors:
Thiago Araujo – University of Massachusetts Lowell – Gastrotricha & Rotifera
Will Ballentine – Dauphin Island Sea Lab – Annelida & burrowing of meiofauna
Jimmy Bernot – Smithsonian Institution – Copepoda & other crustaceans
Kelly Dorgan – Dauphin Island Sea Lab – Annelida, functional morphology, and benthic ecology
Erin Easton – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – Benthic ecology and evolution
Ken Halanych – University of North Carolina Wilmington – Annelida, deep metazoan phylogeny, & metabarcoding
Kevin Kocot - University of Alabama Tuscaloosa – Mollusca, Hemichordata, & genomics
Stephen Landers – Troy University – Kinorhyncha
Nick Roberts – University of Alabama – Entoprocta & genomics
Julian Smith – Winthrop University – Platyhelminthes & Acoelomorpha
Ashleigh Smythe – Virginia Military Institute – Nematoda
Katrine Worsaae – University of Copenhagen – Annelida
Meghan Yap-Chiongco – University of Alabama – Meiofaunal molluscs, genomics, & biomineralization
Colleagues in training:
Katherine Garcia (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley)
Arno Hagenbeek (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology)
Kellan Hoffman (University of Alabama)
Kimi Kim (Ewha Womans University)
Joseph Kirangwa (University of Cologne)
Emily Kornblum (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley)
Jack Kwan (University of Southern Denmark)
Adele Maciute (University of Gothenburg)
Regine Manglicmot (University of British Columbia)
Kelly Markello (California Academy of Sciences)
Samantha Tong (National University of Singapore)
Sarai Vega (University of Guam)
Joel Wernström (Arctic University Museum of Norway)
Background:
The term "meiofauna" refers to tiny animals capable of passing through a ~0.5-mm mesh. Many meiofaunal animals are interstitial, meaning they burrow in marine sediments. Several entire phyla (such as kinorhynchs, gastrotrichs, and gnathostomulids), major clades of other invertebrate phyla (especially arthropods, nematodes, annelids and flatworms), and miniaturized representatives of most other animal phyla are meiofaunal. Meiofaunal animals have been estimated to account for half of the biodiversity in complex biotopes such as coral reefs, with most of it associated with sediments. While the great phylum- and class- level diversity of meiofauna is well-known, the species-level diversity remains largely unexplored and undocumented. By some estimates, the number of species of meiofaunal nematodes alone that waiting to be formally named dwarfs the number of already described meiofaunal species by two orders of magnitude. Morphological studies of meiofauna have led to groundbreaking insights about their evolution, adaptation, and functional biology (e.g., adhesive and sensory structures), as well as fundamental insights into the evolution of the major animal groups in the tree of life. More recently, advances in molecular biology ranging from DNA barcoding to metabarcoding to whole-genome sequencing have accelerated the pace of the study of all aspects of the biology of meiofauna.
Course description:
The overarching goals of this course are to help train the next generation of marine invertebrate taxonomists and to improve the availability of DNA barcode data for expert-identified marine meiofauna in public databases. The course will familiarize students with the vast biodiversity of marine meiofauna through field and laboratory work and produce a collection of expert-identified specimens that will be used for whole-genome amplification for DNA barcoding and other potential future uses such as genomics. We will take a taxon-survey approach to emphasize practical skills essential for collection, identification, characterization, preservation, and molecular analysis of meiofauna. Sampling of diverse habitats on Dauphin Island will provide a wealth of specimens of diverse taxa for our investigations.
World experts will give lectures on their taxa of interest and other areas of expertise. Morphological laboratory work will emphasize the preparation of specimens for microscopic examination and identification to the level possible with light microscopy. We will not conduct molecular work during the course, but students will learn about sampling and preservation of specimens for molecular techniques and cutting-edge molecular approaches being applied to marine meiofauna. In parallel to the course, we will be conducing sampling for DNA metabarcoding of meiofauna communities around Dauphin Island. Participants will be expected devote significant effort to collection, identification, and preservation of specimens for molecular work as well as help with compilation of species lists, images, and metadata that will be released public databases to broadly benefit the community. Participants will have the opportunity to collect specimens for their own research.
Due to space constraints, the course is limited to just 10 students. We use the term "student" broadly and will consider applicants at diverse career stages interested in studying meiofauna. The course is free, but students will be responsible for travel expenses. Housing in the DISL dorms and meals at the DISL cafeteria will be provided for students.
How to apply:
The deadline to submit applications closed on February 10th, 2023. Students admitted to the course will receive a letter of invitation in early March at the latest. International students will be responsible for securing a visa (if required).
Please contact Kevin Kocot ([email protected]) with any questions about the course.
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This course is supported by Alabama Center of Excellence (ALCoE) grant #28775 to Drs. Kelly Dorgan, Kevin Kocot, and Ken Halanych "Meiofaunal diversity as a tool for understanding and monitoring northern Gulf of Mexico environments" and National Science Foundation grant #DEB 0918499 to Kevin M. Kocot entitled "CAREER: Revolutionizing Biodiversity and Systematics Research on Aplacophora (Mollusca) and Training the Next Generation of Invertebrate Systematists." Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ALCoE or the National Science Foundation.
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