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During the last week of March 2007, a workshop
on deep-sea Isopoda (organized by Saskia Brix) was held at the German Centre of Marine Biodiversity
Research (DZMB) in Wilhelmshaven.
A group of 23 international taxonomists exchanged knowledge and ideas about
emerging techniques for species descriptions and systematics. The main topics
covered were standard methods, the use of computer software (DELTA, DEscriptive
Language for TAxonomy), molecular genetics and different microscopy methods
such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning
microscopy (CLSM). One question discussed was how these can contribute to the
accuracy of species descriptions, accessibility and amount of information.
Talks were given covering topics like standard methods of species
descriptions (Olga Golovan, Dr. Marina Malyutina), the use of DELTA in species description (Dr. Gary Poore) or
how genetics can contribute to species descriptions (Karen Osborn).
Working groups were organized to discuss in detail different techniques.
It was concluded that imaging tools like the CLSM 3 D software, improving
rapidly in quality and ease of use, can help to describe species in even more
detail. It is essential to Embracing future technological advances, such as
micro-chromatography, and combining them to provide a powerful tool for the use
in science is essential. Regarding the extremely high number of new species
sampled in deep-sea areas, it was agreed that a balance between the amount of
detail in species descriptions and the number of species descriptions must be
found. Embedding new methods into species descriptions is absolutely necessary,
e.g., the use of INTKEY and use of data bases like genbank for molecular data.
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