**3.2 Museums today**

Many researchers around the world study biodiversity. Nowadays, the basic documentation of biodiversity is found in scientific collections at museums, institutions and universities (Silveira & Oliveira, 2008) split all over the world. The main goal of the natural history

Zoological Collections and the Effects of Scientific Territorialism 181

Each species has a specific methodology for gathering and preserving. The animal world is vast, with more than 1.5 million known species. This represents a huge restraint for zoologists since it is impossible to collect, preserve and study all zoological groups. That's

As collections grow according to the differently available human specialists, one may find a very complete representation of one group in museum x, and another very different group in university y. Because of this, exchange of materials and researchers are promoted, as loans of material are needed for the development of particular scientific activities. It is clear that a vast and close relationship between institutions and researchers is desirable and

A standard procedure is that zoological collections keep (when possible) more than one copy of each species. The model organism, used to describe and fix the name of a species, is called the holotype. This specimen usually remains in the collection and may leave only in very special conditions and exceptional occasions. Other copies are often borrowed, exchanged or donated. Besides such exchange of material, it is usual that a scientist plans visits to particular collection of his interest for research. Sometimes specialists are requested

The professional responsible for the collections is the curator. One of his tasks is to manage all the data that is produced within the collection. Some collections or institutions have their own policies for using their records. However, various categories of data may exist: those that are only interesting for institutional issues; those that are of restricted use, needing a permission for access (unpublished data); and those of free access to the public (published). Either way the uses of those data may be restricted to scientific, educational and public management. Notwithstanding, recommendations are usually made for future handling of any of the data used. For example, the specification of the collection to which the zoological

All these normative designations, policies of access, and eventually any misunderstandings within the collection are elucidated by the curator in smaller collections or by committees and advisory boards at the large ones. Therefore, the curator must also act as a public

As we saw, great collections benefit from great funds. But biodiversity is not concentrated only in the vast scientific collections. A lot of important material is preserved in minor institutions. These peripheral collections are frequently forgotten. Resources, interests, time, support or special guidelines to make good collections are often missing. Most of the time, the management is made by the professionals themselves and the money necessary is provided by the researchers. The scientists, who use the zoological material from the collection, usually work together with the curator. This association guarantees some basic conditions and guarantees the continuing survival of the collection. As peripheral collections are usually smaller, each research becomes responsible for the group he works with. Collecting, identification, fixation, cataloguing and administration in practice become the responsibility of the scientists. This excessive dedication by the researchers makes them feel much attached to the animals-objects studied. This may sometimes retard the optimal collaboration between

one reason why zoologists must limit themselves to study only specific groups.

to assist on some particular difficulties or even to teach courses.

material belongs is usually demanded, etc.

relations manager.

**4. Researcher's conduct** 

mandatory (Martins, 1994).

museums is to store, maintain and organize collections of specimens that represent the biological diversity of organisms (fossils and modern) that once colonized the Earth (Zaher & Young, 2003).

Several kinds of collections with different aims exist. The most common are for teaching purposes, for scientific research and with economic interest (Martins, 1994). In this chapter we will only discuss the scientific ones. Scientific collections exist for all kinds of materials. Some of them shelter millions of samples that may contain a diversity of animals, parts of animals, or even of objects or signs that belong to the species. As examples, one may find nests, shelters, footprints, excrements, hairs, etc. It is possible to appreciate different kinds of collections with different purposes. An anatomical collection will contain a lot of bones, parts of bodies, organs, etc. In a biogeographical collection it will be possible to see specimens from different parts of the globe that correspond to their distribution.

Scientific collections represent a crucial source of information for those who work with living things. They are of great importance because they help in education and scientific activities, providing reliable information about all animals (Silveira & Oliveira, 2008), including samples of the extinct fauna. Under the molecular revolution, they begin to provide genetic banks where tissues are stored for further studies. They also cover strategic areas of governmental issues like environment management, agronomics, medical and pharmaceutical research, having serious implications at all levels of society. These collections also represent a cultural legacy. Finally, they play an important role in the professional formation in several careers, providing increasing qualification to face the challenge of a sustainable development. In this sense, collections constitute an essential source of data for studies of environmental impact (Zaher & Young, 2003).

A great zoological collection keeps biological material on all kinds of groups from all over the world. Normally the groups of animals that most researchers work with are the major ones. They are in public institutions, usually in museums and universities. It is thus possible to deal with two realities or perspectives: large collections and small collections.

Large collections (usually in museums and institutions) commonly count with large funds and investments for huge gathering expeditions with adequate staff to maintain the collections. In counterpart, small collections (usually inside universities) are not necessarily strategically located, being usually regional, peripheral, and cannot afford neither small nor larger expeditions. In these marginal collections, expedition expenses (transportation, equipment, alimentation, accommodation, etc.) and collection management are under the responsibility of the researcher.

Clarifying, material in a collection requires massive dedication to keep the biological material in good shape for future users and to extend its lifetime. The following activities are examples: material that is preserved in alcohol must be refilled to avoid dilution of preserved liquid; bottles must be verified for adequate levels of preservation liquid to avoid desiccation; large animals need taxidermy; bug collections need attention against ants, fungi, etc. All of these cares need effort and time. Inappropriately stored material reduces the utility of the collection. For this reason, important collections that were gathered for decades of hard work have been lost. Since these scientific collections represent national and international heritage, the maintainer institutions must be in tune with the needs that a scientific collection requires to be in good conditions for future users (Martins, 1994).

museums is to store, maintain and organize collections of specimens that represent the biological diversity of organisms (fossils and modern) that once colonized the Earth (Zaher

Several kinds of collections with different aims exist. The most common are for teaching purposes, for scientific research and with economic interest (Martins, 1994). In this chapter we will only discuss the scientific ones. Scientific collections exist for all kinds of materials. Some of them shelter millions of samples that may contain a diversity of animals, parts of animals, or even of objects or signs that belong to the species. As examples, one may find nests, shelters, footprints, excrements, hairs, etc. It is possible to appreciate different kinds of collections with different purposes. An anatomical collection will contain a lot of bones, parts of bodies, organs, etc. In a biogeographical collection it will be possible to see

Scientific collections represent a crucial source of information for those who work with living things. They are of great importance because they help in education and scientific activities, providing reliable information about all animals (Silveira & Oliveira, 2008), including samples of the extinct fauna. Under the molecular revolution, they begin to provide genetic banks where tissues are stored for further studies. They also cover strategic areas of governmental issues like environment management, agronomics, medical and pharmaceutical research, having serious implications at all levels of society. These collections also represent a cultural legacy. Finally, they play an important role in the professional formation in several careers, providing increasing qualification to face the challenge of a sustainable development. In this sense, collections constitute an essential

A great zoological collection keeps biological material on all kinds of groups from all over the world. Normally the groups of animals that most researchers work with are the major ones. They are in public institutions, usually in museums and universities. It is thus possible

Large collections (usually in museums and institutions) commonly count with large funds and investments for huge gathering expeditions with adequate staff to maintain the collections. In counterpart, small collections (usually inside universities) are not necessarily strategically located, being usually regional, peripheral, and cannot afford neither small nor larger expeditions. In these marginal collections, expedition expenses (transportation, equipment, alimentation, accommodation, etc.) and collection management are under the

Clarifying, material in a collection requires massive dedication to keep the biological material in good shape for future users and to extend its lifetime. The following activities are examples: material that is preserved in alcohol must be refilled to avoid dilution of preserved liquid; bottles must be verified for adequate levels of preservation liquid to avoid desiccation; large animals need taxidermy; bug collections need attention against ants, fungi, etc. All of these cares need effort and time. Inappropriately stored material reduces the utility of the collection. For this reason, important collections that were gathered for decades of hard work have been lost. Since these scientific collections represent national and international heritage, the maintainer institutions must be in tune with the needs that a

scientific collection requires to be in good conditions for future users (Martins, 1994).

specimens from different parts of the globe that correspond to their distribution.

source of data for studies of environmental impact (Zaher & Young, 2003).

to deal with two realities or perspectives: large collections and small collections.

& Young, 2003).

responsibility of the researcher.

Each species has a specific methodology for gathering and preserving. The animal world is vast, with more than 1.5 million known species. This represents a huge restraint for zoologists since it is impossible to collect, preserve and study all zoological groups. That's one reason why zoologists must limit themselves to study only specific groups.

As collections grow according to the differently available human specialists, one may find a very complete representation of one group in museum x, and another very different group in university y. Because of this, exchange of materials and researchers are promoted, as loans of material are needed for the development of particular scientific activities. It is clear that a vast and close relationship between institutions and researchers is desirable and mandatory (Martins, 1994).

A standard procedure is that zoological collections keep (when possible) more than one copy of each species. The model organism, used to describe and fix the name of a species, is called the holotype. This specimen usually remains in the collection and may leave only in very special conditions and exceptional occasions. Other copies are often borrowed, exchanged or donated. Besides such exchange of material, it is usual that a scientist plans visits to particular collection of his interest for research. Sometimes specialists are requested to assist on some particular difficulties or even to teach courses.

The professional responsible for the collections is the curator. One of his tasks is to manage all the data that is produced within the collection. Some collections or institutions have their own policies for using their records. However, various categories of data may exist: those that are only interesting for institutional issues; those that are of restricted use, needing a permission for access (unpublished data); and those of free access to the public (published). Either way the uses of those data may be restricted to scientific, educational and public management. Notwithstanding, recommendations are usually made for future handling of any of the data used. For example, the specification of the collection to which the zoological material belongs is usually demanded, etc.

All these normative designations, policies of access, and eventually any misunderstandings within the collection are elucidated by the curator in smaller collections or by committees and advisory boards at the large ones. Therefore, the curator must also act as a public relations manager.
