The Porifera taxonomy workshop at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) was organized by Magalie Castelin, Sarah Samadi & Claudia Ratti with expert instruction from Paco Cárdenas, Celso Domingos, Swee Cheng Lim and Christine Morrow. The event funded by MNHN was attended by 14 students and aimed to enhance the skills of students in sponge identification while advancing the project’s research objectives.
During the workshop, researchers provided hands-on training to participants, equipping them with essential techniques and knowledge to identify various species of sponges. The event also served as an opportunity for the SponBIODIV team to identify sponge specimens from New Caledonia, contributing valuable data to the ongoing study of sponge biodiversity in this ecologically significant region. The workshop highlighted the importance of collaboration in advancing marine biodiversity research and fostering a new generation of taxonomists dedicated to understanding and preserving these vital organisms.
