FAO.org

I've already written about the type of work taxonimists do. Now let’s take a closer look at the taxonimists' work on this survey, or the process required to reach a correct identification.

First of all, the entire catch is placed in one or more baskets by the fishers. Then, the team of scientists begins by sorting specimens, that is separating them in groups they believe belong to the same species. This is a preliminary identification and often means having the specimens grouped into higher taxonomic levels, e.g. orders, families, genera. 

The work then moves to the laboratory. Each researcher requires his/her own equipment. Those dealing with the small or colonial invertebrates, such as most corals, need a microscope or a stereoscope to have a better look at important morphological features. The ones dealing with larger species, such as bony fishes and sharks usually need just some basic lab equipment, such as forceps, scissors, and a measuring tool. If the researcher is not familiar with the species, he/she starts consulting the scientific literature available for the region or global reviews of higher taxonomical groups.

As an example, FAO has produced a number of species catalogues and guides to help with the identification of important fishery resources. Other publications are published on a variety of specialized journals. All these publications include descriptions, illustrations, and identification keys to help the users separate species based on morphological characteristics.

Here on board we might not be able to identify all specimens to the species level or we might have discovered a species unknown to science. For this and other reasons, at the end of the survey all collected specimens will be sent to the Iziko South African Museums for further investigation. However, for a long-term maintenance of all their characteristics for future access they will first have to be properly preserved. This means placing them in a plastic jar immersed in a liquid preservative such as ethanol (the invertebrates) or formalin (the vertebrates). 

Finally, it is very important to label the specimens to keep a record of all important information, e.g. date, location and depth of capture.

My friend Paul, the shark expert on board, has a lot of work ahead of him during the next month in South Africa where he will take a closer look at these shark species and other deep-sea cartilaginous fish stored at national museums.