1. Methods of collection, observation and manipulation of live foraminifera – Joanathan Erez

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2. Foraminiferal symbiosis: separation technique of algal symbionts, photosynthesis, light enhanced calcification and the nutritional aspects of the symbiosis – John Lee

 

3. Planktonic foraminifera – collection, laboratory observations, feeding and growth – Howie Spero and Jelle Bijma

 

4. Larger benthic foraminifera: life mode and habitats, calcification experiments, proxy incorporation – Joanathan Erez and Ahuva Almogi-Labin

 

5. Monothalamous foraminifera. Collection and observation – Susan Goldstein and Ivan Voltski

 

Known for >160 years, monothalamous foraminifera encompass the organic-walled allogromiids and single-chambered agglutinated taxa.  Although they have a long fossil record, these foraminifera are seldom abundant in fossil deposits or utilized in biostratigraphy.  Most researchers ignore them or intentionally exclude them in taxonomic surveys on modern environments.  Research over the last ~20 years has shown that the seemingly simple gross morphology of these basal-clade foraminifera belies the complexity of their phylogenetic relationships, biodiversity, roles in modern ecosystems, and architecture of the test and cell body.  Environmental DNA surveys demonstrate that biodiversity of monothalamids may exceed that of the crown taxa in many marine settings.  Some taxa may dominate a landscape, whereas others reside as squatters in otherwise empty foraminiferal tests, bryozoan skeletons, or cryptically within the interstices of dense algal filaments or crevices associated with firm or hard substrates.  They have been documented from both marine and freshwater settings.

 

This workshop on monothalamids will examine representatives from the local habitats of Eilat and provide a forum for discussion of current findings on these diverse, important, but poorly understood groups of foraminifera.

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6. Molecular phylogeny: methods and applications – Jan Pawlowski and Maria Holzmann