Taxonomy & Imaging Platform: MACROPHYTES - Microscopy
Manager : Aurélie Blanfuné
Taxonomy & Imaging
The platform Taxonomy & Imaging has two components: MACROPHYTES (accredited as a Technology Platform by the University of Aix-Marseille) and Microscopy.
Against a backdrop of global change and the erosion of biodiversity, this platform is an important investigative tool, helping to identify and understand how marine ecosystems function, from the scale of the individual to that of the functional group.
The platform will enable us to showcase and increase the impact of our taxonomy skills (macrophytes, fish, marine organisms, zooplankton and phytoplankton, self- and heterotrophic prokaryotes), skills that are rare and in short supply and for which we are recognised nationally and internationally. It provides MIO teams and other public and private research units/institutes with its know-how, knowledge and skills in taxonomy of marine macrophytes and the functioning of marine ecosystems, as well as its imaging skills. Scientists, students, managers, private companies and associations can also be welcomed. Expert appraisals can also be carried out, either in collaboration or on a subcontracting basis for a fee.
For further information, don't hesitate to contact us !
MACROPHYTES
In the functioning of marine ecosystems, the plant compartment plays a central role in all coastal ecosystem services. The management and conservation of these ecosystems and their associated services in a context of global change are key issues for the coming decades.
This algal compartment is the counterpart of terrestrial forest ecosystems. MACROPHYTES is recognised locally, nationally and internationally in both the academic and socio-economic worlds for its collections and the knowledge and expertise of the staff involved, such as the taxonomy of macro-algae, heritage conservation, the conservation and ecosystem functioning of plant-dominated coastal benthic ecosystems (macro-algae and Magnoliophytes) in relation to anthropogenic impacts, and retrospective ecology work.
MACROPHYTES is an approved structure (Index Herbariorum, code HCOM) for the compulsory deposit of referenced samples of scientific work (taxonomy, biogeography, molecular biology, biochemistry), labelled as a Technology Platform by the University of Aix-Marseille since January 2024. It is supported by the scientific heritage department of the University of Aix-Marseille and is a member of the GDR e-Recolnat.
La MACROPHYTES is made up of :
- a library containing hundreds of thousands of books and documents on macrophytes since the 18th century, and on marine biology and ecology. There are over 300,000 entries.
- a major collection of marine macrophytes. This collection is the third largest in France (~40,000 specimens), and includes collections from the 19th to the 21st centuries. Each herbarium plate has been indexed in the worldwide Index Herbariorum database since June 2009 (code HCOM). The historical collections contain many specimens identified by the authors of the species themselves. These specimens constitute first-rate reference samples.
- a geo-referenced chorological database (EMMA database) containing more than 4,000 historical and recent locations of macrophytes.
- a microscope and a remote binocular magnifier, both equipped with a camera for taxonomic determination
- And above all, the knowledge and expertise of the staff involved in the platform: phycology, marine magnoliophytes, taxonomy (morphology, anatomy and molecular tools), georeferenced data analysis, benthic ecosystem functioning.
Microscopy
Le Microscopy Imaging Section offers resources for various microscopy techniques, such as the marking and quantification of individual activities using epifluorescence, as well as the elemental analysis (using electron microscopy) of plankton needed to understand biogeochemical cycles and the functioning of marine ecosystems. The strengths include taxonomic expertise and technical skills in microscopy and image analysis, with a range of instruments dedicated to automated imaging.
It is equipped with :
- a fleet of binocular magnifiers
- upright and inverted, confocal and scanning electron microscopes, including a Phenom Pro X equipped with a chemical analysis system and a metalliser
- FlowCAM and ZooScan automated systems
This section Microscopy :
- makes available all the instruments listed and provides advice and support.
- encourages contact between users and helps to develop collaborative projects.
- trains users to use the equipment independently.
- enables the acquisition of scientific results in biological oceanography, as well as the training of students and staff. Reasonable scientific and technical use of the instruments is guaranteed in accordance with its operating and user charter, which must be signed by all users.
