AquaTax Consulting Services

From water to data point

AquaTax Consulting provides a range of services to meet the needs of public, private and academic sector clients conducting research in the aquatic sciences.

Pricing:

AquaTax Consulting offers a range of high standard services at competitive pricing either on a project basis, by the sample or an hourly rate.

Sample Processing:

AquaTax Consulting provides benthic macroinvertebrate sample processing (subsampling and sorting) to client specifications. Samples are processed by D. Parker, Ph.D., (25+ years experience) and/or by J. Halpin, B.Sc., (15+ years experience).

Taxonomic Identifications:

Good taxonomy is the essential corner stone for quality research data and should only be conducted by highly trained and experienced personnel/taxonomists. In the case of AquaTax Consulting ALL identifications are performed by D. Parker, Ph.D. If required a network of colleagues, who are specialists in particular groups, can be contacted to assist in difficult specimen identification. Macroinvertebrate identifications can be made to family, genus, or "lowest practical level" (Those identifications that do not require slide making or pinning of specimens) depending on the client's requirements. Slide mounting and generic identifications of Chironomidae and pinning of adult beetles for genus/species identifications are also regularly requested and provided to clients. A voucher series of each unique genus or species level identification is provided to the client for reference.

Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Sampling Design and Protocol:

AquaTax Consulting is regularly consulted regarding the development of sampling protocols (sampling methods, devices, sample processing techniques, taxonomic level and timing) to best collect the data required to answer the client's research questions and/or fulfill their contractual obligations.

Interpretation of Macroinvertebrate Data:

As a feature beyond routine statistical analysis, clients often request AquaTax Consulting to assist in the biological (ecology and life history) interpretation of the data analysis. This often greatly enhances and provides insights beyond what can be provided by statistical analysis and modelling of the data.

Specimen Images & Photo Credits:

As part of the sample processing and identification process microscopic images are routinely taken to add to AquaTax Consulting's library of macroinvertebrate images. Clients, as well as educators, extension workers and researchers from around the world regularly request permission to use these images to illustrate their presentations and reports.

AquaTax Consulting's images have also appeared in the following publications:

Cover: Euroasion Entomological Journal. 2009. Volume 8. Supplement 1.

Page 14: Southern Sporting Journal. August 2008.

Cover: Blue Jay. June 2005.

Pages 22 &23: South Dakota Conservation. March/April 2005.

Page 22: South Dakota Conservation. July/August 2003.