RAMPA - NEWS

9. The 9th European School of Ostracoda (ESO), Patras, Greece (March 18–22, 2024)

From March 18th to the 22nd, 2024, PhD student Katja Mužek participated in the European School of Ostracoda (ESO), held at the University of Patras, Greece. Attendance at the school was made possible by a grant from the Micropalaeontological Society and funding from the internal research project Development of Miocene Paleoenvironments in Croatia and Their Connection to Global Events (RAMPA). The school’s program was designed as a comprehensive overview of ostracod fauna, with a focus on taxonomy, morphology, paleoecology, and stable isotope analysis, complemented by practical micropaleontological exercises and fieldwork.

Particularly valuable were the lectures that aligned with the student's doctoral research. For instance, the course „Ostracod Morphology“ provided deeper insights into the structure of the carapace and soft body parts of these organisms. Furthermore, the lecture on stable isotopes offered a better understanding of the application of oxygen and carbon stable isotopes in paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Additionally, the subject on ostracod distribution and ecology contributed to expanding knowledge of their paleobiogeography and the environmental conditions that influenced their past and present distribution.

Beyond theoretical content, a significant part of the curriculum consisted of practical exercises. Microscopic analysis of ostracods from different geological periods allowed for a detailed paleontological examination, while the dissection of recent specimens provided valuable experience in identifying morphological characteristics of soft tissues, which was a new experience for the doctoral candidate. The school’s program also included fieldwork, enabling participants to collect ostracod samples in natural settings.

Practical exercises in dissection of ostracods

Participation in the European School of Ostracoda not only enabled the acquisition of new knowledge and skills in micropaleontology but also provided the opportunity to connect with other students and researchers from around the world. The experience and professional contacts gained through this program represent a significant contribution to the student's ongoing research and academic development.

Participants and professors of the 9th European Ostracod School