Knowledge linked to museum specimen vouchers: measuring scientific production from a major biological collection in Colombia

The Genus Thionia Stål, 1859 (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Issidae) in Colombia: Highlighting the Value of Entomological Collections

Entomological collections represent a key source of information about the biological heritage of a country. However, the taxonomy and knowledge of many arthropods from megadiverse countries are underrepresented in these natural history collections as is the case with several planthoppers of the suborder Auchenorrhyncha. Issidae are fulgoromorphs distributed worldwide, except the poles and Greenland. Despite this ubiquity, Colombian planthoppers remain very poorly known and studied. Our objective was to provide the first consolidated records and distributional data for Colombian Issidae. We used reports of the representative genus Thionia deposited in biological collections in Colombia. In addition, we linked voucher specimen information and Olson's life zones showing an inter-Andean valley and Eastern Andean Cordillera distribution within Colombia. Our survey of Colombian biological collections revealed 55 individuals of the genus Thionia Stål, 1859 (53 adults, 2 immatures [nymphs]), which were collected by different methods; however, many of those records may be opportunistic. This genus (and its species) needs further study, with systematic and ecological revision, as is the case with other terrestrial Colombian hemipterans. Our consolidated records represent an advance to the knowledge of Issidae (and Thionia specifically) for the Neotropics and Colombia in particular, and a baseline for further study of distributional and biogeographic patterns of the suborder Auchenorrhyncha.

Morphological and molecular evidence support the taxonomic separation of the medically important Neotropical spiders Phoneutria depilata (Strand, 1909) and P. boliviensis (F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897) (Araneae, Ctenidae)

The species of the genus Phoneutria (Ctenidae), also called banana spiders, are considered amongst the most venomous spiders in the world. In this study we revalidate P. depilata (Strand, 1909), which had been synonymized with P. boliviensisis (F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897), using morphological and nucleotide sequence data (COI and ITS-2) together with species delimitation methods. We synonymized Ctenus peregrinoides, Strand, 1910 and Phoneutria colombiana Schmidt, 1956 with P. depilata. Furthermore, we designated Ctenus signativenter Strand, 1910 as a nomen dubium because the exact identity of this species cannot be ascertained with immature specimens, but we note that the type locality suggests that the C. signativenter syntypes belong to P. depilata. We also provide species distribution models for both species of Phoneutria and test hypotheses of niche conservatism under an allopatric speciation model. Our phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of the genus Phoneutria and recover P. boliviensis and P. depilata as sister species, although with low nodal support. In addition, the tree-based species delimitation methods also supported the separate identities of these two species. Phoneutria boliviensis and P. depilata present allopatric distributions separated by the Andean mountain system. Species distribution models indicate lowland tropical rain forest ecosystems as the most suitable habitat for these two Phoneutria species. In addition, we demonstrate the value of citizen science platforms like iNaturalist in improving species distribution knowledge based on occurrence records. Phoneutria depilata and P. boliviensis present niche conservatism following the expected neutral model of allopatric speciation. The compiled occurrence records and distribution maps for these two species, together with the morphological diagnosis of both species, will help to identify risk areas of accidental bites and assist health professionals to determine the identity of the species involved in bites, especially for P. depilata.

Hares and rabbits (Leporidae) in collection of the Šariš Museum, Bardejov (Slovakia)

The Natural History Department of the Šariš Museum, Bardejov, Slovakia, was established in 1956 by PhMr. Tibor Weisz. The mammal collection consists of more than 5 000 specimens of 67 mammal species of the Slovakian fauna. The museum mostly represents the fauna of north-eastern Slovakia, i.e. the transition area between the Eastern and Western Carpathians and adjacent to the northernmost part of the Pannonian Basin. In the paper, data are presented on hare and rabbit specimens deposited in the collection of the Šariš Museum in Bardejov (SMB), Slovakia. In total, data were evaluated on 27 specimens of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) from twelve sites of Slovakia (n = 19), one site of Czech Silesia (n = 1), and from unknow localities (n = 7). Individuals were acquired in 1958–1971, but mainly in 1965–1966 (n = 19, 70.4 %). Among them, one specimen had signs of „albinism“ and was collected from Zlaté village. The collection also includes a skull of a brown hare with anomalous dentition. Similarly, two skulls of the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) obtained from the Danish preparator N. H. Gustaffson were evaluated. Three rabit specimens were also found in the collection, including two skulls of the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and a skin-mount and skull of a domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus forma domestica). The collection contains 20 adult specimens (15 males and 5 females) with body size values recorded in the protocol cards. Mammalogical collections in the Šariš Museum in Bardejov represent an outstanding scientific time capsule. All stored specimens in this particular and other similar collections, including those in local museums, will largely be needed and used as datasets by ecologists and conservationists in the future. It is necesary to preserve the collections, to computerise and digitise their inventories and the wealth of information they represent. At present, most of these data are not accessible electronically or online. Therefore, such collections, including that in Bardejov, must be sustained for a long term, which will require increased funding for their physical and scientific preservation.

Colección de Mamíferos del Instituto Humboldt (IAvH-M)

La colección de mamíferos del Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt es la tercera colección de mayor número de especímenes en el país con 9.471 determinados en 400 especies, 212 géneros, 51 familias y 14 órdenes, procedentes de ocho países, siendo Colombia el de mayor representatividad (66,5% de la diversidad registrada para el país en este grupo). Los órdenes mejor representados son Chiroptera, Rodentia y Primates. Alberga un neotipo y dos paratipos de Cebus albifrons albifrons, un paratipo de Aotus hershkovitzi y un paratipo de Vampyressa sinchi. La colección ha sido un referente para el estudio de mamíferos colombianos y se continúan realizando esfuerzos para mejorar el estado curatorial y la información asociada a los especímenes.

Colecta como captura recíproca múltiple: etnógrafos, científicos y especímenes en clave cosmopolítica

Inspirado en la propuesta cosmopolítica de Isabelle Stengers, este artículo explora la manera en la que nuestro trabajo puede devenir materia de interés para los científicos con quienes trabajamos, a partir de una conceptualización de la captura de especímenes biológicos y sus implicaciones tanto etnográficas como biológicas. Así, es posible imaginar cómo el biólogo puede ser simbionte con los animales y las plantas en cuanto al exceso de su especie, lo que involucra el sacrificio en presencia de la entidad que deviene en espécimen. Y, a partir de allí, imaginar cómo nuestro ejercicio etnográfico puede ser simbionte de la práctica del biólogo, así como de los animales y plantas capturadas, lo que involucra un tipo de crítica en presencia del científico y de esas otras entidades involucradas.

On birds of Santander-Bio Expeditions, quantifying the cost of collecting voucher specimens in Colombia

Several scientific reasons support continuing bird collection in Colombia, a megadiverse country with modest science financing. Despite the recognized value of biological collections for the rigorous study of biodiversity, there is scarce information on the monetary costs of specimens. We present results for three expeditions conducted in Santander (municipalities of Cimitarra, El Carmen de Chucurí, and Santa Barbara), Colombia, during 2018 to collect bird voucher specimens, quantifying the costs of obtaining such material. After a sampling effort of 1290 mist net hours and occasional collection using an airgun, we collected 300 bird voucher specimens, representing 117 species from 30 families. Such collection represents one of the largest series obtained during the historical ornithological exploration of Santander. We report differences among expeditions regarding the capture rate in mist nets, as well as differences in the sizes of taxa collected by mist nets and airgun. We discuss results in the context of previous ornithological expeditions in Colombia, commenting issues on the biology of some species, particularly those considered as noteworthy records (e.g., Red-legged Tinamou [Crypturellus erythropus], Cinnamon Screech Owl [Megascops petersoni], Saffron-headed Parrot [Pyrilia pyrilia], Black Inca [Coeligena prunellei], and Chestnut-crowned Gnateater [Conopophaga castaneiceps]). We calculated that the costs of obtaining and curating a specimen in Colombia, including tissues for molecular analysis, was ~US$60.4 (~$196 176 COP), which is among published costs of obtaining voucher specimens in other taxa and countries. These costs must be considered an investment in scientific capital because voucher specimens will provide biological information for hundreds of years.