Vikberg Wernström, J., Smith, J. & Altenburger, A. Morphology and phylogeny of Itaspiella helgolandica, an interstitial marine flatworm with circumpolar distribution. Mar. Biodivers. 55, 6 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-024-01486-w
Observer statement for UArctic at the CAFF board meeting spring 2025
Participation at AASCO 2025: Addressing the Future of Arctic Science Cooperation
AASCO 2025 – Arena for the Gap Analysis of Existing Arctic Science Co-Operations – taking place at the iconic Oceanographic Museum of Monaco on February 4th and 5th, 2025. This landmark event brings together leading researchers and experts from diverse disciplines engaged in Arctic studies and observations. The goal? To foster collaboration, strengthen connections, and drive coordinated, impactful efforts to tackle the pressing environmental challenges in the Arctic.
Participation at Arctic Frontiers, Jan 27 - 30, 2025
Arctic frontiers in Tromsø brings together scientists and politicians to discuss future developments in the Arctic.
Microtomography data acquisition
Collection of specimens: specimens of aquatic invertebrates for scanning were sourced from the collections of The Arctic University Museum of Norway, in addition to other institutions such as the Norwegian Veterinary Institute.
Sample preparation: new approaches to staining, e.g. using phosphotungstic acid instead of iodine-based approaches, and mounting, e.g. in agar, have been explored.
Microtomography and data analysis: specimens have been scanned using X-ray microtomography at Luleå University, Sweden, and the data have been processed at The Arctic University Musueum of Norway, in Tromsø. Scanned specimens include:
One noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) from Norway
One signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) from Norway
Copepod samples, both planktonic and benthic, from the Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean
Arctic brachiopod specimens from the museum collections
Research cruise with RV Helmer Hanssen
R/V Helmer Hanssen is a multipurpose research vessel owned by UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, and the cruise ‘HHUMTKT25’ was organized and executed by The Arctic University Museum of Norway (units ‘UM’ and ‘UMAK’ at UiT) in cooperation with UArctic partners from 3 different countries.
The participating projects in this cruise were (1) Scalidophora of Norway, (2) Microfauna and macrofauna in Northern Norway, (3) Reconstruction of past ecosystems using sedimentary ancient DNA, (4) ArKoBi studying the population connectivity of Arctica islandica in Northern Norway, (5) DragonNest studying population genetics and distribution patterns of Kinorhyncha in the Arctic region and (6) NUDIST studying biogeography and taxonomy of nudibranchs in northern Norway and the Arctic.
Projects (1) ‘Scalidophora of Norway’ and (5) DragonNest aimed at sampling scalidophoran fauna in Northern Norway, primarily the phylum Kinorhyncha, using a box corer. Projects (2), (4) and (6) relied on a triangular dredge to obtain specimens, and project (3) utilized a gravity corer to capture a 5-m long sediment core.
Cruise report HHUMTKT25
Publication of the Cruise report HHUMTKT25 Tromsø - Kirkenes - Tromsø, April 16-21, 2025. The cruise was supported by UArctic.
Publication of FAIR species occurrence dataset
Data of species recorded on the HHUMTKT25 cruise, which was supported by the TN on Arctic Marine Biodiversity have been published FAIR to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), contributing to open and accessible science in the Arctic.
