The use of voucher specimens often goes well beyond the initial intentions of the collector, such as the case of UAM 19003 (Anas cyanoptera, cinnamon teal).   In a recent post by Kevin Winkler of the University of Alaska Museum of the North, UAM 19003 was shown to have been a part of 7 different publications, including several documenting avian influenza in South America.  For another superb example of specimen longevity, see Dunnum and Cook 2012.

Today, the Entomological Society of America released a statement on the importance of scientific collecting in research.  The statement was highlighted in a story in Entomology Today.

NPR ran a story this morning on the recent debate on scientific collecting that merged after the publication of Minteer et al. in Science, which suggested that scientists were the cause of several extinctions.  Our response (Rocha et al.), with over 130 co-authors, was published in favor of scientific collecting.  The NPR story presented both arguments and includes interviews from both parties.

We have been waiting on this one to come out for a little while.  This paper was initiated by Susan D. Booth-Binczik of the Dallas Zoo.  We examined a couple of hundred bags of ocelot and bobcat scat, which contained an array of small mammals, among other things, in South Texas.  If you are interested in reading more, please follow this link.

This story came from our co-authors at the University of Kansas and eloquently explains the importance of scientific collecting…

Here is the press release from the lead author’s (Luiz Rocha) institution on the importance of scientific collecting.

Here is the University of Michigan press release on the importance of scientific collecting.

Please check out this new article in Science, regarding the importance of scientific collecting.  It is a response to the Minteer et al. paper that was published a little over a month ago.  It is co-authored by more than 100 scientists from nearly 60 institutions from all over the world, including 6 UMMZ researchers and several alumni.

Welcome to the Thompson Lab of Mammalogy webpage!!!  I appreciate you taking the time to learn about my lab’s research and activities in the UMMZ Mammal Division.  Please check back here for updates, as well as opportunities for prospective students.

Take care,

Cody