The Darwin Nematode Identification Workshop took place at Plymouth Marine Laboratory from July 3-7^th 2000. There were 16 participants from 9 countries (see participant list) and the workshop was facilitated by lecturers and demonstrators (see lecturers and demonstrators list) from both Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and the Natural History Museum (NHM).

The workshop combined lectures with practical sessions such that by the end of the workshop all participants were able to identify most nematodes to at least genus level using pictorial keys. Lectures included information on the basic requirements for formal identification of nematode species, and introductions to the electronic key to nematode genera being developed at PML and to the concepts of virtual collections being developed jointly by the NHM and PML. Sample processing and preparation techniques used at the PML and the NHM were demonstrated to the participants.

After group discussion with the workshop participants it was agreed that the participants should form the basis of a Darwin Nematode Network to encourage dialogue and collaboration amongst nematologists who might otherwise feel isolated within their own countries. A bulletin board will be established on this Darwin Nematode web site to facilitate this. The staff at the PML and the NHM thoroughly enjoyed working with the invited workshop participants and appreciated their enthusiasm, perception and rapid understanding of the processes involved in nematode identification.

See also Darwin Workshop photos

Participants of the first Darwin nematode workshop will return to Plymouth, probably in October 2001, for a second Darwin workshop. This will provide training in the analysis of ecological data collected during pollution monitoring surveys and/or ecological research. In the period between the two workshops participants will be expected to use the identification skills that they developed at the first workshop to analyse meiofauna samples. Participants will have access to nematode keys via the Internet or CD-ROM and will be encouraged to use these. Participants will then be expected to bring their own data sets to the second workshop for data analysis. As well as providing additional data for training purposes these data sets will give the workshop organisers an indication of how successful the first workshop and the Internet taxonomy site have been.

For marine nematode taxonomists we intend to create a virtual museum for nematodes on the Internet site. This will enable scientists to give names to new, undescribed species which can be used by their colleagues whilst the species await formal description in the scientific literature. The Internet site will be used interactively to add descriptions of putative new species which will be checked by trained taxonomists at the Natural History Museum who will then update the site. A virtual museum containing full descriptions and drawings of all new species will gradually be created - established by the users and verified by trained taxonomists. Participants at the first workshop will form the core of a Darwin nematode network and will be encouraged to submit descriptions and to use the virtual museum.

Darwin Primer Workshop

Statistical Analysis and Interpretation of Community Data from Ecology/Environmental Science using Primer for Windows (version 5)

This Darwin Workshop was arranged and staffed by Plymouth Marine Laboratory and PRIMER-E Ltd and held at the Marine Biological Association, Citadel Hill, Plymouth between October 1st and October 5th 2001.

Please click on this link to see photos of the event