15th International Polychaete Conference: the role of RIs in Polychaete Biodiversity Science
From 27 to 31 July 2026, the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum of Frankfurt (Germany) is hosting the 15th International Polychaete Conference (IPC15), bringing together researchers and students working on all aspects of polychaete biology.
From systematics and morphology, to ecology, physiology, development and evolution, each day of the conference is centred around a specific aspect of polychaete research, and is introduced by a keynote talk:
- Thomas Bartolomaeus, from Bonn University in Germany, introduces “Morphology and Physiology”;
- Joana Zanol, from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, introduces “Taxonomy, Systematics and Phylogenomics”;
- Monika Bright, from Vienna University in Austria, introduces “Ecology, Biodiversity & Conservation”;
- Elaine Seaver, from Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience – USA, introduces “Model Annelids & Evo-Devo”.
The programme includes 15-minute contributed sessions and a poster exhibition. Christos Arvanitidis, LifeWatch ERIC’s CEO, is attending the Conference and presenting the abstract “From Ecology to Omics: Dataset Publication and the Role of Research Infrastructures in Polychaete Biodiversity Science“, a work involving also Daniel Martin and Rafael Sardá from the Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB, CSIC), Spain.
The talk analyses current shifts in the way marine biodiversity knowledge is produced, disseminated, and reused, taking Polychaete research as an ideal model for the investigation of these dynamics. According to this comparative analyses, genetic/genomic datasets are associated with substantially higher publication growth rates than conventional ecological datasets, particularly since the 2000s. These patterns may suggest a stronger amplification potential of properly published, standardised, interoperable, and reusable datasets, where FAIR-compliant publication practices, and the facilitating role of Research Infrastructures, have the potential to enable long-term scientific reuse of knowledge. The full abstract is available in the IPC15 Book of Abstracts.
For more information about the conference, visit: https://polychaete-association.com/ipc15-frankfurt