Work in progress
We recently had two taxonomists working of the sponges (Porifera) that MAREANO has collected. They picked out specimens that are of particular interest for their own research, and did a (partial) revision on the rest of the material.
Many samples
Sorted and labeled
A brittle star, Ophiura ophiura (scale bar is 0.5cm)
In addition to the crabs (Brachyura) discussed in the previous post, we are also focusing on animal groups such as the brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) and bristle worms (Polychaeta).
Currently we are preparing samples for genetic barcoding though the BOLD system.
Here are a couple of photographs of the animals that have been through the mill of identification – photo documentation – tissue sampling this week.
A bristle worm from the family Maldanidae, partially encased in the tube that the animal dwells in (scale bar is 0.5 cm)
Another and rather different looking bristle worm, this time from the family Onuphidae. Scale bar is 0.5 cm
We recently rounded 90.000 specimens in our scientific collections, and since # 90 000 is such a good representative of what we are currently working on, we’re presenting it here.
Diastyloides biplicatus
This is a Cumacea, or hooded shrimp. It was collected by the MAREANO project. It was then identified by a taxonomist on a workshop arranged by the Department of Biology (UoB), the University Museum and MAREANO. It was then implemented in the Museum’s scientific collection, and chosen to be used as a DNA voucher for the NorBOLproject (Norwegian Barcode of Life). Here it will be part of a comprehensive library of standardized DNA sequences (barcodes) which will serve as a reference resource for the research and management of biodiversity in Norway.
