Isis
Wed, 13th Dec 2006, 12:51 PM
Hey all, just wanted to let you know that we will be having a Coral ID workshop at the end of February, given by Eric Borneman.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask here on the MARSH site (http://www.marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=19033).
Here is the summary of the workshop, and depending on how things go, we are looking at a few hours of info. We are going to start it after lunch to give you all time to come down, and hopefully we will provide some snacks and drinks for you all as well.
Outline of class:
1. Powerpoint presentation showing: 1) requirements and limitations of ID in living corals; 2) basic coral tissue anatomy; 3) basic coral skeletal features ; 4) basic references and tools needed; 5) examples of variation within and between species; 6) practice photos
2. Practical application using many coral skeletons in my collections for stony coral identification
3. The use of the Coral ID CD and systematics keys; and the limited utility but basic information of well known reference books (i.e. Veron Corals of the World vs. Veron Corals of Eastern Australia)
4. Practical applications with living corals - i/we can bring live corals or we can do a store field trip
5. The identification of soft corals including removal and study of sclerites for genus level identification and a study of gross (observable field) charcteristics to narrow down genus level identifications by sight, feel, and observation. I will bring the best current books on the subject. Familiarity with species level requirements through review of taxonomic revision papers (just to humble everyone, including myself!).
6. Microscopic evaluation of stony coral features for advanced interested parties to determine species level id's where possible.
7. The basic morphological (gross) characteristics of other corals (zoanthids, corallimorphs) and the limitations of these groups to correctly identify. I will bring some of the pertinent references. Also, photos of those that can be identified to a basic level with obvious physical characteristics.
8. Pronunciation issues and questions and answers about range, habitat, husbandry.
9. Suggestions for further study. I will bring a small library of books, papers, and other references for your perusal.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask here on the MARSH site (http://www.marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=19033).
Here is the summary of the workshop, and depending on how things go, we are looking at a few hours of info. We are going to start it after lunch to give you all time to come down, and hopefully we will provide some snacks and drinks for you all as well.
Outline of class:
1. Powerpoint presentation showing: 1) requirements and limitations of ID in living corals; 2) basic coral tissue anatomy; 3) basic coral skeletal features ; 4) basic references and tools needed; 5) examples of variation within and between species; 6) practice photos
2. Practical application using many coral skeletons in my collections for stony coral identification
3. The use of the Coral ID CD and systematics keys; and the limited utility but basic information of well known reference books (i.e. Veron Corals of the World vs. Veron Corals of Eastern Australia)
4. Practical applications with living corals - i/we can bring live corals or we can do a store field trip
5. The identification of soft corals including removal and study of sclerites for genus level identification and a study of gross (observable field) charcteristics to narrow down genus level identifications by sight, feel, and observation. I will bring the best current books on the subject. Familiarity with species level requirements through review of taxonomic revision papers (just to humble everyone, including myself!).
6. Microscopic evaluation of stony coral features for advanced interested parties to determine species level id's where possible.
7. The basic morphological (gross) characteristics of other corals (zoanthids, corallimorphs) and the limitations of these groups to correctly identify. I will bring some of the pertinent references. Also, photos of those that can be identified to a basic level with obvious physical characteristics.
8. Pronunciation issues and questions and answers about range, habitat, husbandry.
9. Suggestions for further study. I will bring a small library of books, papers, and other references for your perusal.