A memory trainer for rapid field identification of reef fish species on Indonesian reefs

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Nicolaas K. Michiels
• Subject Area: Systematics and Morphology (Zoology) ; Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions ; Oceanography
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 537532927

The 6th mass extinction is happening, but who is watching? In addition to scientists, it is enthusiasts who contribute to Citizen Science databases. Many nowadays will use smartphone apps that identify organisms, record their sound, take photos or videos, and upload this material with GPS location and time. The identifications are subsequently confirmed or re-identified by AI systems and specialists. Unfortunately, this only works in terrestrial environments. In reef ecosystems the typical diver or snorkeler cannot use a book, smartphone, GPS or internet. The inevitable conclusion is that observers “must” know and recognise species by heart. The applicant developed a learning tool that allows to memorise fish species names before visiting a reef. It uses a publicly available platform (ANKI) designed to generate user-friendly, digital flashcard decks with own high-quality natural-light pictures. Our first product is the “Reef Fish Trainer Red Sea” which covers 425 species and is now online. This deck has been tested and optimised with biology students over the last 5 years. It strongly motivated them to become identification specialists while still in Tübingen, and subsequently gave them great satisfaction when they recognised most fishes on their first trip to the Red Sea. This fact motivated the applicant to develop a Reef Fish Trainer for Indonesia during his upcoming sabbatical 2023-24. Picture sets from previous trips to Indonesia indicate that a final deck with 800-1000 species is realistic. However, since some common species are still missing, and picture quality is poor for many species, a substantial boost to increase coverage and quality is required. The applicant is confident that he is able to collect enough material during a 2-months stay at Coral Eye on Bangka Island in North-Sulawesi to produce a comprehensive, high-quality “full deck” for Indonesia. The goal is to reach an in-depth coverage of the common species and their stage and colour variations, and to add as many rare species as possible. The new Reef Fish Trainer Indonesia is predicted to be online in March 2024, and will replace the preliminary version currently online (247 species). By making this big first step, we want to establish cooperations with international and local universities, reef protection organisations and underwater photographers. Given that the basics of the fish trainer can be used for any organismal group that can be identified in the field, we will happily share our expertise to anyone interested.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants