The third workshop in the LifeWatch-WoRMS workshops sponsored by LifeWatch brought together – for the first time since the launch of the database in 2013 – the majority of the Amphipoda editors. During their 2-day workshop, the focus was largely on hands-on training organized by the Data Management Team (DMT), providing the editors with the tools and experience to actively complete their World Register. Several available tools and functionalities were demonstrated, helping editors to more easily edit using the online interface. All editors entered new taxa and information and edited existing data, thereby improving the content and quality of the Amphipoda Database. In addition, the group took time to discuss editing guidelines and ongoing Amphipoda initiatives, including four ongoing LifeWatch Data projects, covering all environments.
 
During the workshop, a list of priorities was put forward and agreed upon, aligned with the priorities put forward by the WoRMS Steering Committee last year. Long- and short-term plans were discussed, and already running initiatives will be continued, including the Amphipoda Newsletter and the literature database managed by Oliver Coleman. An immediate result of the workshop is a new web page on the Amphipoda Portal, dedicated to identification keys.This page lists existing identification keys compiled with the DELTA package and includes instructions on how to use these keys.
 
This initiative is supported by LifeWatch Belgium, part of the E-Science European LifeWatch Infrastructure for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research. LifeWatch is a distributed virtual laboratory which is used for different aspects of biodiversity research. The Taxonomic Backbone of LifeWatch aims at bringing together taxonomic and species-related data and at filling the gaps in our knowledge. In addition, it gives support to taxonomic experts by providing them logistic and financial support for meetings and workshops related to expanding the content and enhancing the quality of taxonomic databases.