In the 1980’s, before internet, the Marine Biology Research Group (MarBIOL) of Ghent University compiled a species library, called the “Nematotheek”. In 1999, NeMys was originally built as a generic system for storage of relevant information on species of Nematoda, Mysida, Amphibia and Pepperonia. In 2004, the files of the Nematotheek were scanned and became available online through NeMys. From 2005 onwards, the focus of the database became more and more on free-living marine nematodes, ultimately resulting in a name change from NeMys to Nemys. In 2014, the Nemys database of MarBIOL was transferred to the Aphia platform, the database behind the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). WoRMS is a global initiative that aims to register all the species of marine organisms. As Nemys is part of WoRMS, all changes made in Nemys are automatically visible within WoRMS. Simultaneously with the database transfer, the Nemys editor network was built. 

Through an online interface, editors have access to the Aphia platform to add new species and related (taxonomic) information, and to make changes to already existing records. However, the Aphia platform is continuously being improved. This means that the editors constantly have to learn how to use the new functionalities and tools, which is not always obvious.

With this course, the Nemys editors will become more at ease with the online Nemys editing interface and will learn how to use the available functionalities and tools to standardize their actions and to improve the Nemys and WoRMS databases.

Through the structured learning environment of the OceanTeacher e-Learning Platform, the Nemys editors can follow tutorial videos and learn tips and tricks on how to do certain online actions (adding, editing, checking and deleting information). The editors can go through the online training material at their own pace.

In the week of February 21st, a series of online syynchronous sessions with the WoRMS Data Management Team (DMT) are scheduled. During these sessions, the Nemys editors can engage in Q&A with the DMT about the online training material and start open discussions on the way forward for Nemys.

Aims

The aims link directly with the above information:

• Teach the Nemys editors how to work with the online editing interface, based on the training material available through the OceanTeacher e-Learning Platform
• Plan the future of Nemys.

Participation is by invitation only.

Contact: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS): info@marinespecies.org