Pre conference workshop:

Preconference Workshop
two days 4th Dec – 5th Dec
Dr Mark Norman and Dr Mandy Reid
cephalopod identification and biology

Cephalopod Taxonomy Workshop

Day 1
Session 1.Identifying cephalopods: where to start

• Survey of participants needs
• Types of material to be identified: live animals in the field, dead (fisheries) material, stomach contents
• Key morphological characters: how they work
• Terminology
• Where to start with dissections

(morning tea)

Session 2.The major groups

• Recognising major cephalopod groups
• Key characters for rough sorting into groups

(lunch)

Session 3.Octopuses

• Distinguishing the major groups: benthic versus pelagic octopuses
• Benthic octopuses
• Key characters
• Keys to genera
• Species level characters
• Examples
• Practical use of keys with unidentified material

Day 2
Session 1.Cuttlefishes

• Distinguishing genera
• Key characters
• Keys to genera
• Species level characters
• Examples
• Practical use of keys with unidentified material

(lunch)

Session 2.Squid

• Distinguishing the major groups: myopsid, oegopsid, sepioid
• Key characters
• Keys to genera/subgenera
• Species level characters
• Examples
• Practical use of keys with unidentified material