Description
The Museum of Paris (MNHN) is organizing a 2-week Training Course on the Taxonomy of black corals (Antipatharia) from October 6 to 17, 2025. The targeted audiences are students, researchers, collection managers, and all professionals involved in the study of these organisms.
The goal of the workshop is to bring together professional taxonomists and students (in the broad sense) around samples recently collected during the Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos Program and deposited at the MNHN collections to transmit taxonomic knowledge while facilitating sorting, identification and digitization of natural collections.
Over 10 days, we will sort specimens to the lowest taxonomic level possible and use best practices for taxa identification (macroscopic and microscopic observations, including SEM) and data collection management, preservation, and traceability. In addition, there will be courses on Antipatharia biology, phylogeny, evolutionary genetics, and deep-sea ecology. We will also propose that participants present their work objectives related to Antipatharia.
The workshop will take place at the MNHN, rue Buffon in Paris: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wonYQfwN2fPY3N2c6
Registration is free but mandatory. For registration, send an email with a CV and a motivation letter (explaining the added value of this workshop to your objectives) to: didier.aurelle@mnhn.fr / magalie.castelin@mnhn.fr
Deadline: July 13, 2025
Trainers
Jeremy Horowitz, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=RZHPkVAAAAAJ&hl=en
Lucas Terrana, Natural History Museum & Vivarium of Tournai (BE) — Université Libre de Bruxelles
https://scholar.google.be/citations?user=AyoSoecAAAAJ&hl=fr
Dates of Training period – Duration
October 6 – 17, 2025
Location
MNHN, rue Buffon, 75005, Paris, France
Course’s language
English
Target audience
Graduate, PhD students, all persons working on marine biodiversity
Fee
Free (the workshop is free. Travel, accommodations and meals are at the charge of the trainees)
Registration deadline
July 13, 2025
Mode of trainees’ assessment
n.a. (the presence at the courses should validates the ECTS but this still need to be confirmed)
Participant quota (min and max number of trainees)
5 – 8 trainees
Types of training/ Implementation method
- Theoretical seminars/lectures
- Lab work
Training Course learning outcomes
1. In-depth exploration of Antipatharia phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy, ecology, and genetics
2. Hands-on training in species identification techniques and taxonomic key usage
3. Examination of the latest research and advancements in antipatharia taxonomy and deep-sea benthic ecology
4. Interactive discussions and case studies led by experienced taxonomists and collection managers
5. Practical courses: From raw specimen collection to digitization of taxonomically identified specimen
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.
- Pencil, notebook.
- Students can bring their laptop if they wish to use it during the practical work.
Registration form
Registration is free but necessary to anticipate coffee breaks and discussions. Don’t forget to register by sending an email to: didier.aurelle@mnhn.fr
More details: Didier Aurelle – didier.aurelle@mnhn.fr