EOM10

EOM 10 was organized by Francesco Sciuto and his team on September 16-20, 2024 in Catania.

Report on the 10th European Ostracodologists’ Meeting (EOM10)

Thirty-five years after the inaugural European Ostracodologists’ Meeting (EOM) in Frankfurt am Main in 1989, the 10th EOM took place in Catania, Italy, from September 16^th to 20^th, 2024. Hosted by the Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Catania – Sicily’s oldest university – the event brought together ostracodologists from around the globe, thanks to the efforts of a group of Italian scientists.

The Icebreaker party on September 16^th was hosted in the enchanting Botanical Garden of Catania. A private guided tour allowed participants to explore the beauty of multiple plant collections: from palms to exotic and succulent plants, ending the tour in the Orto Siculo (Sicilian Garden), that hosts numerous spontaneous plants of the Sicilian flora.

On September 17^th the official scientific sessions started.  The meeting was divided into eight scientific sessions, each introduced by invited lectures, and a total of 36 scientific works were presented – 14 of which were presented by junior participants – along with 2 keynote lectures and 30 poster presentations. The meeting encouraged the exchange of ideas and discussions among colleagues from diverse backgrounds, especially during lunch breaks in the University of Catania’s Paleontology Museum and coffee breaks.

The mild climate of early September gave the opportunity to fully enjoy the mid-symposium field trip on September 18^th. The excursion began with a sampling session at the San Biagio quarry, focusing on Lower-Middle Pleistocene bathyal clays known as Argille grigio-azzurre. Next, the group visited the Alcantara Gorges to observe the scenic hexagonal and pentagonal basaltic columns and enjoyed a refreshing swim in the river and beautiful waterfalls. The trip ended in the historic town of Taormina, where participants visited the historical center, admired the view of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, and enjoyed a local gelato or a granita.

During the last day of the meeting, awards for the best oral presentation and the best poster were announced: Elena Bellavere (University of Parma) received the award for the best oral presentation, while the award for the best poster went to Michalina Kijowska (University of Gdansk). It was also announced that Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe, will host the next EOM (EOM11) in 2028.

A social dinner held in the heart of Catania’s historical center ended the meeting. From the terraces of the location participants enjoyed breathtaking views of Piazza del Duomo and the distinctive Elephant fountain, the symbol of the city. Here participants had a lovely evening, enjoying the delicious food while sharing conversations to connect with old friends and make new ones, and to say goodbye to those who did not attend the post-symposium field trips. These additional excursions included a visit to Mount Etna, with its stunning views over the Aeolian Islands and the Sicilian and Calabrian coasts. Participants had also the opportunity to visit Syracuse, with its beautiful city center in Ortigia, and to enjoy a beautiful visit of the Valley of the Temples, a landmark of ancient classical culture in Sicily. Moreover, participants resampled the argille grigio-azzurre in Megara Iblea and admired the open-marine sediments that were employed in 1998 for defining the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Gelasian Stage (Upper Pliocene) in the Monte San Nicola section.

EOM10 provided a truly enriching experience, where scientists from around the world not only shared their research findings but also had the opportunity to connect with colleagues from multiple backgrounds, each bringing fresh perspectives and insightful suggestions that inspired new research directions. The event promoted an atmosphere of collaboration and growth, where conversations were filled with valuable advice and constructive feedbacks, making this meeting an impactful experience for all participants.

The abstract volume was published by the “Naturalista Siciliano”.

Report written by Amanda Vecchi