The 10th edition of the European School on Ostracoda (ESO10) took place in Bucharest, Romania, from May 12 to May 16, 2025, hosted by the National Institute for Research and Development on Marine Geology and Geoecology \u2013 GeoEcoMar. ESO10 was organized by Prof. Dr. Peter Frenzel (University of Jena, Germany) and PD Dr. Renate Matzke-Karasz (LMU M\u00fcnchen, Germany).<\/p>\n
ESO10 was designed to offer early-career researchers (MSc students, PhD candidates, postdocs) and professionals from industry a comprehensive introduction to ostracoda. The curriculum covered key areas including taxonomy, (palaeo)ecology, biodiversity, geological history, and applied biostratigraphy of ostracods. Special attention was given to the relevance of ostracoda in micropalaeontology, palaeoceanography, palaeoclimatology, biology, and environmental sciences.<\/p>\n
The course focused on both theoretical concepts and practical methodologies, addressing systematics, biostratigraphic applications, ecological interpretation, and life history traits of ostracods. It spans their evolutionary history from the Palaeozoic to the Holocene, also including modern faunas. Hands-on training was a central component, with case studies from both marine and continental environments, alongside laboratory sessions on identification, preparation, documentation, and analysis of ostracod specimens.<\/p>\n
The training sessions were delivered by the following group of experts: Dr. Andrei Briceag, GeoEcoMar, Romania; Prof. Dr. Marie-B\u00e9atrice Forel, Mus\u00e9um national d\u2019Histoire naturelle, Paris, France; Prof. Dr. Peter Frenzel, University of Jena, Germany; Dr. Bj\u00f6rn Holstein, IntegBiostrat, Wedemark, Germany; PD Dr. Renate Matzke-Karasz, LMU M\u00fcnchen, Germany; Dr. Ilaria Mazzini, CNR-IGAG, Monterotondo, Italy; Prof. Dr. Steffen Mischke, University of Iceland; Dr. Anna Pint, University of Jena, Germany; MSc Olga Schmitz, MPI-GEA, Jena, Germany; Prof. Dr. Marius Stoica, University of Bucharest, Romania; Dr. Anton Waltschew, Nuremberg, Germany; Dr. Bianca Pavel, GeoEcoMar, Romania.<\/p>\n
This intensive course brought together more than 20 young researchers across Europe, Asia, and the Americas to study Ostracoda\u2014tiny crustaceans. The course provided materials and knowledge in taxonomy, systematics, (palaeo)ecology, biodiversity, and the role of ostracods in geological history, along with a field excursion to the Danube Delta.<\/p>\n
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