Support for the Collections of the Mammal Division

密歇根大学动物博物馆哺乳动物部将改善其大型骨骼和鞣制兽皮收藏的储存设施。拥有大约14万个标本和130个主要类型，哺乳动物收藏是北美第三大大学收藏，也是美国第六大大学收藏。它的特殊优势领域包括流体和骨骼收藏，以及来自大湖地区、美国西南部、墨西哥、中美洲和南美洲、中东和菲律宾的收藏。该项目解决的主要具体需求是：(1)更换存放大型哺乳动物头骨和除啮齿动物外所有哺乳动物颅后骨骼的柜子；(2)将晒黑的皮肤从旧的衣架系统转移到现代的箱子里。目前使用的大多数箱子基本上都是向空气开放的，因为它们的背部和侧面是分开的。没有一个可以有效密封以进行熏蒸，而且大多数都有无法控制的害虫种群。这个项目将用现代化的单元取代这些箱子。这批鞣制兽皮共有1176件，被隔离在一个单独的房间或“毛皮库”里。兽皮用绳子穿过它们的眼睛或其他洞挂在脚手架上。这种悬挂方式导致拉伸，最终导致撕裂。现在，皮肤从衣架上挣脱出来，被发现躺在房间的地板上，这已经很常见了。此外，由于房间的大小和皮肤是露天悬挂的事实，这些收藏品几乎不可能熏蒸。这个项目将拆除脚手架，并在这个房间里放置大箱子。兽皮将被折叠或卷起来，存放在可以熏蒸的箱子里。

The Mammal Division of the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, will improve storage facilities for its collections of large skeletons and tanned hides. With approximately 140,000 specimens and 130 primary types, the mammal collection is the third largest university collection in North America and the sixth largest in the country. Its special areas of strength include the fluid and skeleton collections, and collections from the Great Lakes Region, the southwestern U.S., Mexico, Central and South America, the Middle East, and the Philippines.The primary specific needs addressed this by project are to (1) replace cabinets in which the skulls of large mammals, plus the postcranial skeletons of all mammals except rodents, are housed; and (2) move the collection of tanned skins from an old system of hangers into modern cases. The majority of cases currently in use are essentially open to the air due to the separation of their backs and sides. None can be sealed effectively for fumigation, and most have populations of insect pests that can no longer be controlled. This project will replace these cases with modern units. The collection of tanned hides, which numbers 1176 specimens, is isolated in a separate room or "fur vault." Hides are hung from a scaffolding by ropes through their eyes or other holes. This manner of hanging results in stretching, and eventually, tearing. It is now not unusual for skins to pull free from their hangers and be discovered lying on the floor of the room. Further, fumigation of this collection is nearly impossible due to the size of the room and the fact that the skins are hung in the open. This project will remove the scaffolding and place large cases in this room. Skins will be folded or rolled and stored in cases in which they can be fumigated.