{"id":5926,"date":"2026-03-02T11:23:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T10:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cetaf.org\/dest\/?page_id=5926"},"modified":"2026-03-03T10:03:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T09:03:29","slug":"deepseatax-2026-holothurians-taxonomy-and-plastic-pollution-monitoring","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cetaf.org\/dest\/deepseatax-2026-holothurians-taxonomy-and-plastic-pollution-monitoring\/","title":{"rendered":"DeepSeaTax 2026: Holothurians taxonomy and plastic pollution monitoring"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Description<\/strong><\/p>\n

While new species are discovered and described each year, global biodiversity loss is increasing at an accelerated rate due to human-driven environmental change. Training the new generation of taxonomists and transmit knowledge on taxonomic expertise and collection management is essential to assess the impact of our activities on species inhabiting the planet.<\/p>\n

The Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos (TDSB) expeditions have resulted in an exceptional collection of approximately 1,600 specimens of bathyal Holothuroidea (Echinodermata). Preliminary sequencing work (COI barcoding) has been carried out on a selection of specimens, yielding approximately 650 usable sequences grouped into 135 MOTUs (Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units), with a large proportion representing new potential species. This collection represents a unique opportunity to describe the still largely unknown diversity of the Southwest Pacific region for this major group within the deep-sea.<\/p>\n

The goal of this cross-disciplinary workshop is to bring together professional taxonomists, researchers, collection managers, and students to speed up the digitization of natural collections of deep-sea holothurians from the SW Pacific region. During the workshop, students will study a wide variety of holothurians from the 7 recognized orders (Apodida, Dendrochirotida, Elasipodida, Holothuriida, Molpadida, Persiculida, and Synallactida).<\/p>\n

Over 10 days, they will sort specimens to the lowest taxonomic level possible under expert taxonomic guidance, learn to identify key morphological characters of Holothuroidea (including spicules), and learn best practices for data collection, management, preservation, and traceability. In addition, classes will be given in the mornings on Holothuroidea taxonomy, evolutionary & population genetics, and deep-sea ecology. Finally, students will gain insight into how natural history collections can be used for innovative research projects, including retrospective studies of plastic pollution throughout the past and of animal-associated digestive microbiomes in non-model organisms.<\/p>\n

Trainers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pierre METHOU<\/strong> (Course leader), UMR ISYEB, MNHN, Paris, France
\nORCID ID: 0000-0001-5454-1775
\nDeep-sea ecology, bacterial symbioses & microbiome, integrative taxonomy,<\/p>\n

Magalie CASTELIN<\/strong> (Trainer), UMR ISYEB, MNHN, Paris, France
\nORCID ID: 0000-0002-9984-2122
\nDeep-sea benthic systematic, ecology, and evolution<\/p>\n

Gustav PAULAY<\/strong>, Florida Museum of National History, US.
\nORCID ID: 0000-0003-4118-9797
\nBiogeography, Evolution, Systematics of Holothuroidea<\/p>\n

Akito OGAWA<\/strong>, Tokyo National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan.
\nORCID ID: 0000-0001-8843-8282
\nTaxonomy & Systematics of Holothuroidea, Population Genomics<\/p>\n

Fransisco Solis-Marin<\/strong> (Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnolog\u00eda UNAM. Mexico)
\nORCID ID: 0000-0001-5729-3316<\/p>\n

Sarah Samadi,<\/strong> UMR ISYEB, MNHN, France.
\nORCID ID: 0000-0003-0725-9368
\nDeep-sea benthic ecology and evolution<\/p>\n

Claire LAGUIONIE<\/strong>, CNAM-Intechmer, France
\nORCID ID: 0000-0003-2198-8364
\nDeep-sea benthic taxonomy and ecology, natural history collection valorisation<\/p>\n

Nicolas PUILLANDRE<\/strong>, UMR ISYEB, MNHN, France.
\nORCID ID: 0000-0002-9797-0892<\/p>\n

Claudia Ratti<\/strong>, UMR ISYEB, MNHN, France
\nORCID ID: 0009-0004-1741-4688
\nResearch engineer and collection manager<\/p>\n

Cyril CHAMBARD<\/strong> (MNHN, DGDC)
\nCollection manager, Marine invertebrates<\/p>\n

Priscillia BOURGUIGNON<\/strong> (MNHN, DGDC)
\nCollection manager, Marine invertebrates<\/p>\n

L\u00e9a DESCLOS<\/strong> (MNHN, DGDC)
\nCollection manager, Marine invertebrates<\/p>\n

Nathan HIEU<\/strong> (MNHN, DGDC)
\nCollection manager, Marine invertebrates<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dates of Training period<\/strong><\/p>\n

June 8th<\/sup>-19th, 2026<\/p>\n

Duration<\/strong><\/p>\n

10 days, 7 hours per day<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jardin des Plantes
\nMus\u00e9um National d\u2019Histoire Naturelle
\n43\/55 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris
\nFrance<\/p>\n

Course\u2019s language<\/strong><\/p>\n

English<\/p>\n

Target audience<\/strong><\/p>\n

Graduate, PhD students, all persons working on marine biodiversity (preferably on Echinodermata with prior knowledge of anatomy, zoology, or ROV image\/video analysis.<\/p>\n

Fee<\/strong><\/p>\n

Free (the workshop is free. Travel, accommodations and meals are at the charge of the trainees)<\/p>\n

Registration deadline<\/strong><\/p>\n

30 April 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mode of trainees\u2019 assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n

The presence at the courses validates the ECTS.<\/p>\n

Participant quota (min and max number of trainees)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Min: 3<\/p>\n

Max: 8<\/p>\n

External funding\/sponsoring<\/strong><\/p>\n

None<\/p>\n

Types of training\/ Implementation method<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Theoretical seminars\/lectures<\/li>\n
  2. Practical experience<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Training Course<\/strong>\u00a0learning outcomes<\/strong><\/p>\n

    1. Apply morphological and molecular approaches to holothuroid systematics and taxonomy.
    \n2. Handle, prepare, and curate collection specimens according to professional standards.
    \n3. Document and digitize specimens for biodiversity databases.
    \n4. Understand the ecological context of deep benthic habitats in the New Caledonian EEZ.
    \n5. Implement best practices in collection data management and traceability (FAIR principles, Minimum Information Standards).
    \n6. In-depth understanding of deep-sea Holothuroidea morphology, taxonomy, ecology, and phylogeny.
    \n7. Overview of the functioning of digestive microbiomes in Holothuroidea and the impact of microplastic pollution.
    \n8. Apply morphological and molecular approaches to holothuroid systematics and taxonomy.
    \n9. Handle, prepare, and curate collection specimens according to professional standards.
    \n10. Document and digitize specimens for biodiversity databases.<\/p>\n

    Certifications provided<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The course corresponds to 7.5 ECTS<\/p>\n

    What trainees need to bring<\/strong><\/p>\n