Computerization of the Insect Collections of the Museum of Comparative Zoology

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The Insect Collection of Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology is one of the truly outstanding resources in entomology in the Western Hemisphere. The collection comprises millions of specimens and more than 33,000 type specimens. Dr. James Carpenter, Associate Curator of the collection, is implementing a program leading to computerization of the entire type collection, and publication of a type catalog produced from the database. The proposed computerization will greatly increase accessibility to these important specimens, and will accelerate the already heavy use of the collection. Systematic collections in natural history museums and herbaria are the primary resources in the study of biological diversity. Their continued growth and proper curation will have beneficial impacts on research in ecology, systematics, biogeography, evolutionary biology, and a variety of other fields.