Bird Collections and Biodiversity - The Scientific Contribution of Natural History Museums

6 Pages·2003·0.68 MB·

by  Van Den Elzen, Renate

© Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zoologicalbulletin.de; www.biologiezentrum.at
HomierzoologischeBeiträge Band51(2002) ilell2/3 Seiten91-96 Bonn,September2003
Bird Collections and Biodiversity-
The Scientific Contribution ofNatural History Museums
Renatevan den Elzen
AlexanderKoenigResearch InstituteandMuseumofZoology,Bonn
Abstract.Biodiversityresearciiexplores,describesandnamesallorganiclife.Collectionspecimens,especiallyname-bear-
ingtypes,arevouchersthatdocumentbiodiversityasdiversityofspecies.Collection seriesarchivevariabilityofand
betweenspeciesasinformationondiversityoflifeanditschangeintimeandgeographicspace.Itisreflectedinanycol-
lection-basedresearchonphylogenetic,morphological,evolutionary,biogeographicalorhistoricaltopics.Naturalhistory
museumsarenetworkingtocommunicateandgiveaccesstotheirholdingsandtheinformationcontainedtherein.
Keywords.Scientificandpoliticalvalueofcollections,diversityofspecies,diversityoflife.ConventiononBiological
Diversity(CBD).
Informationcontainedwithinbiologicalcollectionsis Nomenclature (ICZN 1999). The last edition adds a
akeyresourceforcountriesfulfillingtheirobligations new article 72.10 entitled „Value of name-bearing
undertheConventiononBiological Diversity(CBD) types" giving a clear and precise statement that
and othersignificantenvironmentconventions. With „ Holotypes, syntypes, lectot}'pesandneotypesare
theDARWIN DECLARATION(EnvironmentAus- bearersofthescientificnamesofallnominalspecies-
tralia 1998) scientists worldwide agreed upon the group taxa (andindirectlyofallanimal taxa). They
value, importanceand significanceofbiological col- are internationalstandards ofreference thatprovide
lections as... „records ofgenetic andmorphological objectivity in zoological nomenclature andmust be
variation, past andrecentgeographical distribution caredforassuch(seeRecommendations72Dto72F).
andotherbiologicalinformation. Often theyare the They are to be heldin trustforscience bypersons
onlyremainingmaterialofextinctspeciesortheonly responsiblefortheirsafekeeping."Captions 16C,72
recordofspeciesseenonlyonceinthewild.''Alsothe D-Fofthe ICZN recommendthedepositionoftypes
tasks, aims and obligations of institutions such as as international vouchers in museum collections or
museums and universities housing biological collec- institutions and advise on naming and labelling of
tionsareclearlydefinedtherein: Collections (andall specimens to provide both accurate diagnosis and
associated data) have to be documented, properly access to associated data. The ICZN emphasizes as
storedandfreelyaccessible. well that informationonname-bearingtypes iscom-
municatedtoanypartyofthescientificcommunity.
1.TAXONOMICBIODIVERSITY
COLLECTIONSANDNATURE
Approachingbiodiversity includestwo concepts: the 2C.ONSERVATION
first concentrates on the taxic diversity ofspecies,
alsoreflectingtheirphylogeneticrelationships,while Aboutonehalfofallextantbirdspecieshadalready
thesecondconceptfocusesonthebiologicaldiversi- been described as early as 1843 (Peters 2000).
ty of species including their ecological adaptations Nowadays, the discovery ofbird species new to sci-
and,respectively,theevolutionaryhistoryofapheno- enceisratherexceptional(about 1-5perannuin),sev-
typeoranyhighertaxon. Regardingthefirstconcept eral ofthemjustbeingpreviouslyoverlookedsibling
theprimaltaskforanybiodiversityresearchwouldbe species which anyway had already been present in
the„classicalmuseumapproach",whichistoexplore, museum'scollectionspriortheirnewdescription(e.g.
describe,nameandanalyzeallorganiclifeinhabiting Glaucidiumsp., Heidrich etal. 1995). Nevertheless,
ourplanet. Thusthenecessityoftypecataloguesand some ofthe newly discovered species are restricted
-databaseswasonemajortopicwithinthesymposium range species, and thus often endangered or even
followedby a discussion on how to realize avirtual threatenedbyextinction.
Europeantypecatalogueinthenearfuture. Thelatterwasthecaseregardingthe(Somalian)Bulo
The awareness ofthe importance oftype specimens Burti BoubouLaniarius liberatus Smith et al. 1991.
and theirprofessional storing is also reflected in the That species was described after a single specimen,
new edition ofthe International Code ofZoological capturedalive, cagedandstudiedforsometime and
.
© Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zoologicalbulletin.de; www.biologiezentrum.at
92 Renate van den Elzen
released back into the wild. The species diagnosis is 3. BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
based (for the tlrst time) only on some moulted feath- Museum specimens can be applied for the under-
ers, DNA, voice recordings and photographs with no
standing of the diversity of life - the variation and
preserved voucher specimen. Some important addi-
variability of and between species or populations
tions to the description of the species were added by
observed and described and the underlying mecha-
Prinzinger et al. (1997).
nism of evolution causing these changes. Further-
This new way oftaxon description without a voucher more, collection series also archive variability ofand
specimen has lead to some debate on standards in between species i.e. information on the diversity of
species descriptions, deposition (or not) of voucher life and its changes over time and geographic space.
specimens (LeCroy & Vuilleumier 1992), scientific For example, most phylogenetical, ecological and
collecting and conservation (Hustler 1996; Collar behavioural interpretations are observed on the
1999, 2000; Stiles 1995). grounds of phenotypic or morphological variation,
leading to an interpretation of the origin of species.
While the nature conversation movement acknow-
The understanding of current distribution pattern and
ledged this new approach as a step in the right direc-
avi-biogeography is another important topic ofcollec-
tion (ISEE 1992), systematists and museum curators
tion based research.
observed this trend shift away from keeping the type
specimen more critically. Discussion on speciation and subsequently on differ-
ent species concepts had already commenced on the
Their concern is that only specimens allow an objec- basis ofbird collections in the 18* century, culminat-
tive examination ofthe taxon, that names have to be ing in the Biological Species Concept, which has been
aligned to „real objects", that can easily be checked to advocated by Ernst Mayr (1942,1992) since then.
provide detailed and accurate diagnosis, as well as a Also the alternative concept, Joel Cracraft's
voucher (LeCroy & Vuilleumier 1992). Phylogenetic Species Concept (1983), is based on
Molecular data are a welcome addition to the study of observations in bird phylogenies.
(co-)evolution ofthe phenotype and genotype. The importance of specimens in collections as vouch-
Moreover, systematic collections worldwide are aging ers for the documention ofbiodiversity is still increas-
rapidly (Winker 1996) and some regional avifaunas ing; in ornithology particularly outweighing their im-
are, if at all, inadequately represented in collections portance for recording solely the pure taxic diversity.
(Peterson 1998). What can we leam from bird collections especially for
the understanding of biodiversity? One can use data
Stiles (1995) reconciles both parties by emphasiz- associated with specimens such as collecting localities
ing... that conservationists and birdwatchers have a and dates, but also information given by the specimen
major stake in the maintenance ofmuseum bird col- itself Morphological studies allow hypothesis on spe-
lections, andare among theprime users ofthe results cial adaptations to the environment (Björklund &
ofmuseum-basedresearch on taxonomy anddistribu- Merilä 1993; Björklund 1994; Gamauf et al. 1998;
tion ofbirds. While new sources ofdata (molecular Leisler & Winkler 1985, 2002; Leisler et al. 1989,
genetics, behavior, etc.) can often indicate where tax- 1997; Potapova & Panov 1977), each study being
onomic changes might be desirable, the changes objectively provable, and repeatable at any time.
themselves must be made with respect to museum
specimens, to provide both accurate diagnosis and Furthermore, the role offunction as an important key
type specimens for new and redefined taxa. The factor in avian morphology was recognized relatively
species, however defined, remains thefocal unit for early (Bock 1959, 1963, 1965; Bock & Gans 1965;
most conservation programmes. Changes in species- Bock & von Wahlert 1965).
level taxonomy can affect our interpretations ofpat- The on-going process of co-evolution of form and
terns of biodiversity and endemism, and so directly function adapts functional complexes within each
influence conservationpriorities andthe allocation of body plan (Wagner & Altenberg 1996) correlating
funding. Collar (1999) discusses the necessity of a morphological structures to accomplish common bio-
stronger collaboration of amateurs and scientists logical roles (Nemeschkal & van den Elzen 1990;
towards bird collecting: ...Ornithology!still desperate- Nemeschkal et al. 1992; Nemeschkal & van den
ly needs the museum tradition, in all its manifesta- Elzen 1994). Some ofthese morphological structures
tions, alive andwell in allcontinents. To this end, 1am can even be traced back to their genetic origin, the
convinced, that the most modern ofbirdwatchers and genes for developmental control (Nemeschkal 1999).
the most ancient ofmuseums canfind important com- These genes, in turn, constitute the main modules in
mon ground for taking forward taxonomic studies the architecture of bird design (B,iörklund 1991,
relatedto species limits anddistribution studies. 1993, 1994; Wagner & Altenberg 1996)
© Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zoologicalbulletin.de; www.biologiezentrum.at
Bird Collections and Biodiversity 93
Morphological characters which have been evaluated cal habitats and documents possible habitat destruc-
by phylogenetic methods allow statements not only tion. Historic changes in the British avifauna have
on phylogenetic relationships between species but been documented using i.a. this approach (Holloway
&
also their phylogeography and evolutionary history. Gibbons 1996).
Quoting all references published on this topic would
PERSPECTIVES
exceed the scope ofthis article. In an ideal case, that 4.
may be implemented as a standard ofany future bird
Data from a single ornithological collection may not
collecting, blood or tissue samples as well as study
always be sufficient enough for achieving these new
skins from extant species are taken into consideration &
research goals (Peterson Navarro-Sigüenza, this
forthe study ofthe evolutionary and phylogenetic his-
A issue). However, it may be realized by co-operational
tory ofany organism. one to one alignment allows
networks between collections sharing collection data.
a simultaneous comparison ofthe variation ofmolec-
Older collections might be valuated higher for reaching
ular and morphological characters of certain species,
further back in time, giving a better general picture on
populations and even single individuals. One can also
pattern changes ofbird distribution (Frahnert 2001).
assess the distribution of characters within gradients
ofpopulations and geographical areas. The future and survival of(not only) bird collections
will be up to those institutions that participate in doc-
Bird collections also can offer access to even extinct
DNA umentation ofchange in biodiversity (like BIOLOG),
species. Samples of ancient can be taken from
biodiversity documentation in third world countries
collection specimens. Non-destructive methods are
now available (Mundy et al. 1997) and are in use for (atlitkheetRheoyhailstoMruicsaelubmirdfoartlCaesntorfaCloAnfgriocat,haTterisvuprreenp)a,reodr
rare or extinct species (e.g. Payne, this issue).
Haddrath & Baker (2000), for instance, combined in GInltoebranlatiNoenatlw,orEkTIs, lliAkeBItNh,e TSDpeWcGie,s CAEnaTlAysFt,orGMBIAFB-
aDnNAanaolfytsiwso etxhteincctommpolaestefrgomenNoemw oZfealmaintodcwhiotnhdrfiiavle ofUNESCO and GEF.
extant ratites as well as two tinamous to solve the con- The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF),
tradictory dispute on the phylogenetic relations and for instance, aims at making the world's biodiversity
biogeographical distribution pattern ofratites. Only by data freely and universally available. GBIF works
including these extinct species, have the authors cooperatively together with several other international
achieved proofthat most ofthe major ratite lineages fit organizations dealing with biodiversity. These include
the hypothesis ofvicariance biogeography. the Clearing House Mechanism and the Global
Taxonomic Initiative ofthe Convention on Biological
Avian museum's skins from remote areas and rare taxa
Diversity. The tenn Clearing House Mechanism refers
documenting collecting localities and dates have often
been (Hall & Moreau 1970; Snow 1978) and still are to any organisation that brings together seekers and
providers of goods, sei'vices or information, thus
(Herremans et al. 2002; Peterson et al. 1998, 2002) matching demand with supply. For this reason, the
the only available source for reconstruction of bird
Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) has established a
distribution patterns, and thus are very valuable tools
„clearing-house mechanism" to ensure that all govern-
for nature conservation issues. Hotspots ofbiodiversi-
ments have access to the infoiTnation and technologies
ty and endemic bird areas are often identified using they need for their work on biodiversity. A German
museum-stored data (e.g. Herremans et al. 2002; node of GBIF International e.g. was established to
Peterson et al. 1998, 2002). Once only seen as a side document type specimens of plants and animals. A
track of systematic or taxonomical studies, this data
catalogue ofbird types held in German museums and
can be used for historical maps ofbird distribution.
research institutions is in progress. Several European
Stiles (1995) gave the following statement: ... A Museums are participating on other GBIF topics.
specimen also provides evidence oj the occurrence of
The veiy first step towards a network of collection
a particular species at a particular place. Without
databases at a European level is simply the acquire-
this, one cannotprove the subsequent disappearance ment ofthe knowledge on museum holdings and col-
oJ the species, which is critical in many conservation
lection inventories. Therefore, scientists of several
andbiodiversity assessments. Museum collections are
institutions have been invited to present information
like books in a library: they can be used again and
on the bird collections in their care drawn upon his-
againfor differentstudies, or re-examinedin the light A
torical studies on certain collections (this issue).
ofnew data or differentstudies, or re-examinedin the
valuable and most welcome general contribution to
light ofnew data or different criteria.
our knowledge on bird collections is the recently pub-
Plotting any historical collecting localities on maps lished inventory of major European bird collections
allows easy identification and verification of histori- (Roselaar 2003).
© Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zoologicalbulletin.de; www.biologiezentrum.at
94 Renate van den Elzen
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ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at
Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database
Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature
Zeitschrift/Journal: Bonn zoological Bulletin - früher Bonner Zoologische Beiträge.
Jahr/Year: 2003
Band/Volume: 51
Autor(en)/Author(s): Elzen Renate van den
Artikel/Article: Bird Collections and Biodiversity - The Scientific Contribution of Natural
History Museums 91-95