[NHCOLL-L:2630] Re: Field number for natural history collections

[Shirley S Albright]

Vusi,

Field numbers are assigned by a collector of objects or specimens while 
in the field.  Field scientists carry field notebooks with them in which 
they record all they do as the day passes.   It's rather like a diary, 
and it may contain weather observations, notes about localities or 
phenomena that are not represented by collected objects, drawings, data 
about objects, directions or coordinates to a site, notes about how the 
object was captured or collected, names of people accompanying the 
researcher and personal comments etc.     Also, sometimes an object is 
donated to a museum from a researcher who has kept the field notes in 
their possession.   In the best of all worlds it would be great if the 
insitution could at least photocopy the appropriate page from the field 
note onto acid free paper, but that is not always possible.

Field numbers should be listed in your database along with the name of 
the person who assigned the number.   There have been times when we have 
had to contact the original collector about some odd question or 
another, and the field number has enabled the scientist to refer back to 
his/her notes.   Field researchers employ a variety of numbering styles 
which is why it is important to include the field researcher's name.

Not all specimens that are given field numbers are eventually 
catalogued.   Sometimes a plaster cast doesn't survive transport to the 
lab or its contents are disappointing.   Sometimes an object is brought 
back to the lab because its organic origin is questionable.

As to whether specimens collected an hour apart should be given 
different field numbers.....I would, but not everybody does.   In my 
opinion, associative data about the field collection site could easily 
change in an hour or two.   It depends upon the kind of research being 
done....so you're sort of at the whim of the field researcher.    
However, I will say this....if different field numbers are provided, 
don't try to move them under one number.    No doubt the researcher has 
a reason for keeping them separate, and those scientific justifications 
are pertinent.

Shirley Albright



 

Vusi Mthombeni wrote:

> Dear all,
>
>  
>
> I am working for the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity 
> (formerly, the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology) and my job mainly 
> entails cataloguing fish specimens into the database. I receive many 
> specimens from the globe for our collection and I would like to have 
> an understanding of the use of the "field number" which is sometimes 
> given to specimens. That is what is a field number, why is it 
> important, who should designate a field number to a specimen? Should 
> animals collected at one hour interval be given same field number?
>
>  
>
> Thanking you in advance.
>
>  
>
> Vusi
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Vusi Mthombeni
>
> Collections Officer
>
> South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
>
> Private Bag 1015
>
> GRAHAMSTOWN
>
> 6140
>
> SOUTH AFRICA
>
>  
>
> Tel: +27 (0) 46 6035845
>
> Fax: +27 (0) 46 6222403
>
> URL: http://www.saiab.ru.ac.za
>
>  
>
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