Author Archives: katrine

Tools of the trade – Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

IMG_7471On Wednesday, the group working on the Polychaeta (bristle worms) went to the city for a practical demonstation of one of the tools we are fortunate enough to have available here in Bergen; the ZEISS Supra 55VP scanning electron microscope at the Laboratory for Electron Microscopy.

The use of SEM gives us a unique possibility to examine details that are too small to be seen (or at least to be seen clearly) in a light microscope. It is possible to take high resolution photographs through the SEM, which can be used both for personal reference, and as illustrations in scientific publications.

The anterior region of a Hyalinoecia sp. (family Onuphidae)

The anterior region of a Hyalinoecia sp. (family Onuphidae)

The different kinds of bristles and their distribution along the animal's body are important characteristics in polychaete taxonomy.

The different kinds of bristles and their distribution along the animal’s body are important characteristics in polychaete taxonomy.

First day of the workshop

Here are some snapshots from the first day our two-week long workshop – despite long travels, people got right into lab-mode, and we’re alredy beginning to find interesting things!

We have 16 participants from no less than nine countries attending, working on the Echinodermata (Echinoidea and Ophiuroidea), Mollusca (mainly Gastropoda), the Polychaeta (various families), and on Crustaceans (mainly the Decapoda).

Busy, happy biologists

Busy, happy biologists