Improvement of the Fish, Amphibian, and Reptile Collections at the Bell Museum of Natural History

贝尔自然历史博物馆的鱼类、两栖动物和爬行动物收藏的改进

• 批准号: 0234432
• 负责人: Andrew Simons
• 金额: $ 20万
• 依托单位: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-04-01 至 2007-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0234432&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Improvement; Fish; Amphibian; Reptile; Collections

AbstractA grant has been awarded to Bell Museum of Natural History at the University of Minnesota under the direction of Dr. Andrew Simons to recurate the holdings of the Fish, Amphibian, and Reptile collections. These collections contain valuable specimens documenting the historical diversity of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles of the upper Midwest. The collections date from the 1890's and thus represent an irreplaceable historical archive. The collection is actively used and a valuable resource to researchers as well as state and federal agencies. The improvements will safeguard the collection from deterioration and loss of specimens, and enhance access of researchers to data and collection records. Currently the specimens are preserved in 40% isopropyl alcohol, considered inappropriate for long term preservation. Several containers are inadequate and some are deteriorating. Old specimen labels are deteriorating and need immediate replacement. The electronic database is incomplete and contains several errors that will be corrected. The proposed improvements to the collection include transfer from 40% isopropyl alcohol to 70% ethanol; transfer of specimens from old deteriorating containers to new jars and stainless steel tanks; relabeling of the entire collection using archival quality materials; and standardization and update of the database. The updated database will be available and searchable on the Web. The activities described in the proposal will train graduate and undergraduate students in collection management procedures. The fish, amphibian, and reptile collections, although primarily research collections, are used regularly in public programs at the Bell Museum. These uses include tours of the collection, loan of specimens for exhibits, and inclusion of high school teachers and students into activities in the collections. The funded activities will also make valuable information regarding specimens in the Bell collections available to the public, researchers, and state and federal agencies.

明尼苏达大学贝尔自然历史博物馆在安德鲁·西蒙斯博士的指导下，获得了一笔赠款，用于重现鱼类、两栖动物和爬行动物的收藏。 这些收藏品包含有价值的标本，记录了中西部上游鱼类、两栖动物和爬行动物的历史多样性。 这些藏品可追溯到1890年代，因此是不可替代的历史档案。 该集合被积极使用，是研究人员以及州和联邦机构的宝贵资源。 这些改善措施将可保障藏品免受损坏和遗失，并方便研究人员查阅数据和藏品记录。 目前，标本保存在40%的异丙醇中，被认为不适合长期保存。 有几个集装箱不够用，有些正在恶化。 旧的样本标签正在退化，需要立即更换。 电子数据库是不完整的，包含几个错误，将被纠正。建议的改进包括从40%的异丙醇转移到70%的乙醇;将标本从旧的变质容器转移到新的罐子和不锈钢罐;使用档案质量材料重新标记整个收藏品;以及数据库的标准化和更新。 更新后的数据库将在网上提供和搜索。提案中描述的活动将对研究生和本科生进行藏品管理程序方面的培训。 鱼类，两栖动物和爬行动物的收藏，虽然主要是研究收藏，但经常用于贝尔博物馆的公共项目。 这些用途包括收藏品的图尔斯之旅，展品标本的贷款，并列入高中教师和学生的活动，在收藏品。 受资助的活动还将向公众、研究人员以及州和联邦机构提供有关贝尔收藏品中标本的宝贵信息。