Study on the preservation of type specimens in paleontology

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In accordance with the research plan determined in 1986, the enormous collections of described paleontologic specimens in various institutions of Japan were examined by cooprative members and their cooperators as follows:1. The subject of research was limited to fossil and recent (treated by paleontologists) type and illustrated specimens of invertebrates (except Protozoa). Their preservation status was clarified in 43 institutions (mostly universities and museums).2. Information about the relevant specimens treated in about 1,600 descriptive papers was compiled at the office of the team leader, and the author, title, periodical, major taxon, geologic age, preservation state and depository of specimens appeared in each paper were inputted using a computer retrieval system. As the result, the completed data base make it very easy to get information about type and illustrated specimens for various paleontologic purposes.3. Although catalogueing and data base for respective specimens are still now in progress in many institutions, the curatorial works have been greatly advenced during the period of this study. This cooperative study was also very effective in bringing home to so many prople the importance of the preservation of type specimens and also the practical methods of curation for the further development of paleontology and related sciences.