PART I – CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Family name:
WAYA
First name(s):
REVANIA
Nationality:
Date of arrival and departure
in / from Belgium
TANZANIAN
5 Oct 2009
26 Oct 2009
Number of training days:
Type of visit
Mainly training in taxonomy and collection management
Location of training:
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
PART II - GENERAL INFORMATION
Describe concisely how you
have learned about the
Belgian GTI Project
friend
I came to know about the Belgian GTI Project through a
Describe concisely how you
have learned about this
specific call for proposals
After being told about the GTI Project I wrote a proposal to
the Belgian GTI National Focal Point. They replied to me and gave
me a proper format of writing a proposal.
If this was your first study
visit financed via the Belgian
GTI National Focal Point,
describe concisely why you
needed capacity building in
taxonomy and collection
management
If this was not your first
study visit financed via the
Belgian GTI National Focal
Point, describe concisely
why you needed further
support
I needed capacity building in taxonomy and collection
management because I am working on zooplankton ecology, I
wanted to be able to identify copepods up to family, genus
and species level; to know what structures to look at
and/or what the main features are;
to know the ecology or trophic role of common copepod
species in Tanzanian waters especially Lake Victoria
where I am currently working
Describe concisely what
support (e.g. training,
access to collections,…) you
have received and how this
training can be related to
taxonomy and /or collection
management
The training was perfectly related to taxonomy.
About the process of identification I have learned
a) The Main characteristic features used to differentiate between
groups of zooplankton and/or taxa.
b) The optimal use and the importance of microscopes, esp. the
compound
microscope.
c) How to use a key and the importance of using it.
d) Characteristics of species
e) Measuring of specimens
f) The use of a compound microscope is essential to be able to see
each
feature as clearly as possible. It is impossible to use any other.
g) Specimen identification using different magnifications.
h)The preparation of slides, and the mounting of animals on
slides, how to
select the best specimen and carefully place it in the slide well.
A few drops of glycerine are used to hold the copepod in its correct
position, before placing the cover slip on top. Care must be taken
to avoid trapping any air bubbles. This process enables the
specimen to be seated correctly for detailed observation.
i) The procedure to identify the zooplankton species using the keys
in the taxonomic books
j) New technical words used for identification
k) Terminology is important, to understand the various parts of the
copepod and to relate to the correct part.
l) The better use of the microscope, like the different light
intensities to see the animal better or parts of it. Close observation
to detail is essential with
zooplankton identification as the diagnostic features of each
species can vary by the shape of a spine or rami in certain areas.
m) The measurement of each species is most important, as the
(adult) sizes can vary so much. This is a big help in the initial
identification process. Accuracy observation of detail and
perseverance: time and patience are also essential when identifying a
species.
n) How to differentiate the copepod stages by counting the
segments
Describe concisely how your
I am grateful to participate in this course, because I had the
gained capacity will help you opportunity to Improve my knowledge concerning zooplankton
in your professional duties
taxonomy. I can identify most of the cyclopoids of Lake Victoria
and my work is now easier although I am still having difficult in
some few cyclopoids and naupliar stages
Describe concisely how your
In my institute I am the only person working on zooplankton,
gained capacity will be
the gain capacity will be useful in my institution because I can now
implemented in your
work in other Tanzanian waters and identify the cyclopoids with
institution
much less difficulties
Describe concisely what
other support you eventually
would need
Describe concisely what
infrastructural and human
resources you and your
institution eventually still
need to become fully
functional
I will need support to identify some cyclopoids which I didn’t
have time to look at and also the identification of calanoids.
I would also need some training on collection management.
A good-quality compound microscope with camera lucida,
as this will enable to produce detailed drawings of specimens.
A place to store and manage the collection of my taxon
Taxonomy experts who can identify zooplankton to species level,
who can differentiate copepodites and naupliar stages.
manage the collection of my taxon
An expert who has the knowledge of hw to manage the collection
of my taxon and
Identification keys of Tanzania copepods
Describe concisely how you
think the Belgian GTI
National Focal Point could
further construct capacity for
you and your institution
By providing opportunities for study visits to Belgium
PART III – TAXON SPECIFIC INFORMATION
What is your taxon of
interest
Cyclopoid
Describe concisely the
different methodologies for
collecting your taxon.
The method used is taking vertical hauls using plankton net
of 65-μm-mesh size, a mouth opening of 29 cm diameter and 1 m
length.
A graduated towing rope and weight attached to the
bottom is used to determine the sampling depth and keep the net
in vertical position. The net is lowered to about 0.5 to 1 m from the
bottom before being hauled slowly to allow the water to be filtered.
Three replicate vertical haul samples are combined to make a
composite sample. Global Positioning System (GPS) co-ordinates
are used to fix positions so as to
ensure consistency of sites
during each sampling occasion.
Describe concisely how to
best preserve collected
specimens of your taxon for
taxonomic purposes
The samples are immediately preserved in buffered 4 %
formaldehyde solution or ethanol
Describe concisely the best
practice in the management
of a collection of your taxon
During my study visit we didn’t have time for any training in
the management of a collection of my taxon
Describe concisely how you
intend to make your
taxonomic data available to
other colleagues
After collection of my taxonomic data I can distribute to my
colleagues through email. We have a group email address where
we pass information to each other
Have you been briefed on
the aims, scope and
contents of the journal
AbcTaxa?
Do you think you have
enough capacity to make a
contribution to Abc Taxa?
No
Yes, if I get adequate guidance and support from my tutors
If you feel capable to
contribute meaningfully to
Abc Taxa, are you willing to
do so
Yes, I will send a proposal along the lines stipulated on the
website of
Brussels, 30 January 2009