Stephen F. Cross

A protocol for inter-laboratory calibrations of biological species identifications (ring tests)

Abstract Inter-laboratory calibrations for biological species identifications are needed and are practical. Such calibrations can quality control problems of (1) precision, i.e. identifying all conspecific specimens to one species; (2) accuracy, i.e. identifying conspecific specimens to the correct species; and (3) synonymy, i.e. identifying by the correct synonym. The protocol reported here involves co-operating laboratories circulating specimens for identification, followed by collation and circulation of results, with distribution of appropriate taxonomic literature if needed. The protocol should be adaptable to the needs of a variety of laboratories and species.

The Canadian Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Network (CIMTAN)—A Network for a New Era of Ecosystem Responsible Aquaculture

ABSTRACT The Canadian Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Network (CIMTAN) is a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council strategic network that was initiated in 2010. It was triggered by the fact that aquaculture, though the world fastest growing food production sector, is associated with environmental, economic, and societal issues. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) offers an innovative solution for the environmental sustainability, economic stability, and societal acceptability of aquaculture by taking an ecosystem-based management approach. IMTA is the farming, in proximity, of aquaculture species from different trophic levels, and with complementary ecosystem functions, so that one species’ excess nutrients are recaptured by the other crops and synergistic interactions among species occur. CIMTAN is providing the interdisciplinary research and development and highly qualified personnel training in the following linked areas: (1) ecological design, ecosystem interactions, and biomit...