[Nhcoll-l] Why retain physical specimens

[Bentley, Andrew Charles]

I would add to this that we no idea what techniques and technologies will become available in the future from which we may be able to glean more about species, their behavior, interactions and biology.

Andy
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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
Dyche Hall
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Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561<x-apple-data-detectors://9>
USA<x-apple-data-detectors://9>

Tel: (785) 864-3863<tel:%28785%29%20864-3863>
Fax: (785) 864-5335<tel:%28785%29%20864-5335>
Email: abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>
http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu<http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/>
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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Doug Yanega
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2019 1:21 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Why retain physical specimens

On 9/26/19 10:59 AM, Sarah K. Huber wrote:
Recently I've been fielding a lot of questions about why our collection should retain a physical specimen once it has been digitized (e.g., CT-scanned, photographed, x-rayed, etc.). I'm curious how often other museum professionals are asked this question and what your general responses are for justifying the retention of a physical specimen. Why do you tell people it's important to retain a specimen?


(1) you can't extract DNA from a digital record

(2) you can't retrieve or dissect tissues or internal organs from a digital record

(3) you can't retrieve internal or external microbiota (bacteria, fungi, viruses) from a digital record

(4) you can't retrieve or dissect gut contents from a digital record

(5) you can't do toxicological or pesticide residue tests on a digital record

(6) you need a physical specimen to properly describe something as a new species

There's more, of course, but these are all significant, especially item #1 and #6.

--

Doug Yanega      Dept. of Entomology       Entomology Research Museum

Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0314     skype: dyanega

phone: (951) 827-4315 (disclaimer: opinions are mine, not UCR's)

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