The scorpion collections (Arachnida, Scorpiones) held in the Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali of Turin (Italy)

Abstract

doi: 10.5431/aramit4307 Abstract: Data and considerations about the history and contents of the scorpion collection housed in the Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali of Turin (MRSN) are reported. Information on type material and important historical specimens are provided, as well as biographical notes about the major zoologists of the museum. In 1978 the public administration of the Regione Piemonte founded the 'Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali' (MRSN) in Turin. Since 1980, the zoologi- cal treasures kept by the Zoological Museum of the Turin University (MZUT) have been entrusted to the MRSN. The MZUT is one of the oldest and most important Italian university museums. It was founded in 1805, during the French occupation, merging the collections of the former Royal museum of natural history and of the 'Reale Accademia delle Scienze di Torino'. Since the middle of the 19th century the museum began to acquire important and rare material from all over the world. Long and difficult expeditions were organized by the museum as well as by private researchers. During the 20th century the collections were enriched by the activities of the museum's re- search staff, by exchanges and gifts from other spe- cialists and from travellers. In the first decades of the 20th century the museum's zoological research started to shift its focus towards histology and genetics, and the collections lost their primary role. In 1936 the MZUT was moved into the 'Ospedale Maggiore di San Giovanni Battista'. Here work began to rearrange the large amount of material; then in a poor state of conservation, due to the partial lack of conserving fluid and the fading (or loss) of several labels. Interesting material and documents were lost or irreparably damaged (Tortonese 1957). Between 1950 and 1967, notwithstanding their importance, the museum collections were neglected. Specimens in ethanol suffered and exchanges, loans and systematic studies on specimens were interrupted. In 1968, under Professor Umberto Parenti's guidance and thanks to the curators, the MZUT was reorganized. Since 1980 a large number of transfers have taken place involving all the collections. The scorpion collection held in the Turin museum is quite large and historically important. The collection dates back to the second half of the 19th century and reflects the global perspective of the institution and the contribution of many eminent zoologists. In this first attempt we review the scorpion collections and illustrate the present situation of this interesting material - neglected for far too long - which is still needed by specialists for describing new species from all over the world.