The Value of Hidden Scientific Resources: Preserved Animal Specimens from Private Collections and Small Museums

Natural history collections have existed for considerable time, and their contribution to research has been discussed and praised in recent decades. In scientific literature, however, there is a general lack of records from private and other small collections. Here, we show that these collections re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioscience 2012-12, Vol.62 (12), p.1077-1082
Main Authors: Casas-Marce, Mireia, Revilla, Eloy, Fernandes, Margarida, Rodriguez, Alejandro, Delibes, Miguel, Godoy, José A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ancient DNA
biological collections
CITES
DEPARTMENTS
Endangered & extinct species
Endangered species
Environmental protection
Forum
Genetics
Incentives
Indexing in process
Inferences
Lynx
museum specimens
Museums
Natural history
private collections
Sampling
School museums
species history
Specimens
Studies
Tissue samples
Type collections
Wildlife conservation
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Summary:Natural history collections have existed for considerable time, and their contribution to research has been discussed and praised in recent decades. In scientific literature, however, there is a general lack of records from private and other small collections. Here, we show that these collections represent a highly valuable resource for research, because they may include an important number of specimens with a broad range of origins. We used the Iberian lynx to demonstrate that the wider and less-biased representation of specimens often found in these collections allows for additional and better inferences than those that are drawn exclusively from large institutions. Locating small zoological collections, however, is very time consuming, and, unfortunately, such collections often disappear quickly, putting their long-term persistence at risk. We propose that authorities, researchers, and curators work together to locate and legalize these specimens and facilitate their inclusion in public databases and, eventually, in larger natural history museums that will ensure their existence in perpetuity.
ISSN:0006-3568
1525-3244
DOI:10.1525/bio.2012.62.12.9