Basic Reptile Taxonomy Training
RCCC UI hereby presents the training on reptile taxonomy with an expert on herpetology Thasun Amarasinghe. He is also an editor-in-chief of Taprobanica, the journal of Asian biodiversity. There are two levels of training: (1) Basic and (2) Advanced.
(1) Basics of Reptile Taxonomy (September 2014)
This two-day training will be held at RCCC UI (PAU building fl. 8,5) on Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 to 17.00. This training is open (no pre-requirements) for any Indonesian (including undergraduates, , naturalists, researchers, NGOs, etc.) who is interested in taxonomy and its applications. It will be covering the topics of:
- Introduction to taxonomy
- Importance of type specimens
- Scale morphology of reptiles
- Morphometric and meristic characters
- Keys and identification
- Reading taxonomic descriptions
- Introduction to The Code (ICZN)
- Taxonomic problems
- Practical (use of stereo microscope and vernier caliper)
- Practical test
The training is mainly conducted in a classroom, followed up by an optional night time fieldwork (Saturday). Participants are tought about reptile taxonomy, importance of type specimens, and scale morphology. After that, participants are trained to observe the morphometric and meristic characters using stereo microscopes and magnifying glasses. Finally they also taught about how to make identification keys, specimen descriptions, and discussing about reptile taxonomy references. The optional nigh time fieldwork is conducted after all class lessons. The fieldwork takes place around UI campus in order to get some fresh reptile specimens, then head back to the class for practicing specimen preservation, tissue collection, and specimen tagging. Both sessions (Saturday and Sunday) are hosted by Thasun Amarasinghe, RCCC UI Research Associate. Up to now large numbers of participants were participated from various institutions and organizations: University of Indonesia (UI), University of Padjadjaran (Unpad), Semarang State University (Unnes), University of Jenderal Soedirman (Unsoed), University of Gadjah Mada (UGM), Jakarta State University (UNJ), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Bogor Agricultural Universiity (IPB), Aspera Community, etc.
Seeing the participants' great enthusiasm from this term, we are planning to open the fourth batch in September 2014.
Training fee: Rp300.000
Included: lunch for two days, study materials, and equipment.
Not included: Saturday dinner, accomodation, and transport.
The following stuffs have to bring by the participants
- 2B or HB pencil
- Field gears: boots/shoes, rain coat, torch/head lamp
Maximum 10 participants will be selected for each training course. For registration or more information, please contact:
Thasun Amarasinghe (thasun.taprobanica@gmail.com)
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