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This course, intended for PhD/MSc. students will cover the morphology, taxonomy, classification and phylogeny of the most important marine phytoplankton species. The main topics delivered by 13 scientific experts will include methods and criteria for species identification, molecular and morphological phylogeny, toxic and harmful species, and aspects of phytoplankton biodiversity and biogeography.
This course aims at training an international cohort of scientists who will contribute to developing new taxonomic knowledge, contributing to a better assessment of biodiversity in the oceans. Students expertise in the taxonomy and specific identification of diatoms, dinoflagellates, coccolithophores and other phytoflagelltes will be updated, with emphasis on light microscopy, integrating molecular data and new approaches to the study of microalgae. A white paper will be written by the international faculty discussing phytoplankton taxonomy and its developments, applications, gaps, research and technological needs. A website with annotated images of phytoplankton taken at the course will be made available as well as disseminated through social media. The resulting collaboration and networking aims to foster long-lasting and collaborative relationships.