History Museum In London Research Articles

Mobilising Historical Botanical Data as Research

Abstract The ‘Vegetable Substances’ collection consists of 8,811 surviving botanical objects and a manuscript catalogue that contains over 12,700 handwritten descriptions of the contents of these boxes, according to the collector, Hans Sloane (1660–1752). This pre-Linnean collection forms part of the founding botanical collection of the Natural History Museum in London, and currently sits at the top of the Darwin Centre. The process of transforming this physical historical collection into something digital began over a decade ago and this focus piece reflects on this digital practice to date. It describes the different stages of creating a public-facing digital resource, and how this practice of mobilising data functions as research.

First evidence of vampyromorph cephalopod jaw structures from the Sinemurian, Lower Jurassic of Dorset

A new specimen of the Coleoidea from the Charmouth Mudstone Formation of the Dorset Coast has been identified as Loligosepia bucklandi (Voltz, 1840). The specimen includes the gladius and jaw fragments, which represent one of few records of its kind, but the head area, arms, hooks and suckers are not discernible. It can be favourably compared to other L. bucklandi fossils in the Natural History Museum in London and the J.F. Jackson Collection in the National Museum Wales in Cardiff. The range of L. bucklandi is determined to be from the Turneri Zone, Brooki Subzone to the Obtusum Zone, Stellare Subzone of the lower Sinemurian, with the new specimen stratigraphically a little older than the precisely located specimens in the J.F. Jackson Collection.

Discrimination of ivory from extant and extinct elephant species using Raman spectroscopy: A potential non-destructive technique for combating illegal wildlife trade.

The use of elephant ivory as a commodity is a factor in declining elephant populations. Despite recent worldwide elephant ivory trade bans, mammoth ivory trade remains unregulated. This complicates law enforcement efforts, as distinguishing between ivory from extant and extinct species requires costly, destructive and time consuming methods. Elephant and mammoth ivory mainly consists of dentine, a mineralized connective tissue that contains an organic collagenous component and an inorganic component of calcium phosphate minerals, similar in structure to hydroxyapatite crystals. Raman spectroscopy is a non-invasive laser-based technique that has previously been used for the study of bone and mineral chemistry. Ivory and bone have similar biochemical properties, making Raman spectroscopy a promising method for species identification based on ivory. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that it is possible to identify differences in the chemistry of mammoth and elephant ivory using Raman spectroscopy. Mammoth and elephant tusks were obtained from the Natural History Museum in London, UK. Included in this study were eight samples of ivory from Mammuthus primigenius, two samples of carved ivory bangles from Africa (Loxodonta species), and one cross section of a tusk from Elephas maximus. The ivory was scanned using an inVia Raman micro spectrometer equipped with a x50 objective lens and a 785nm laser. Spectra were acquired using line maps and individual spectral points were acquired randomly or at points of interest on all samples. The data was then analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) with use of an in-house MATLAB script. Univariate analysis of peak intensity ratios of phosphate to amide I and III peaks, and carbonate to phosphate peaks showed statistical differences (p<0.0001) in the average peak intensity ratios between Mammuthus primigenius, Loxodonta spp. and Elephas maximus. Full width at half maximum hight (FWHM)analysis of the phosphate peak demonstrated higher crystal maturity of Mammuthus primigenius compared to living elephant species. The results of the study have established that spectra acquired by Raman spectroscopy can be separated into distinct classes through PCA. In conclusion, this study has shown that well-preserved mammoth and elephant ivory has the potential to be characterized using Raman spectroscopy, providing a promising method for species identification. The results of this study will be valuable in developing quick and non-destructive methods for the identification of ivory, which will have direct applications in archaeology and the regulation of international trade.

Catalogue of the family Psychidae in China (Lepidoptera: Tineoidea)

This catalogue of Psychidae in China is piled based on a literature research in multiple languages and on the study of Psychidae specimens in National Zoological Museum of China and Natural History Museum in London. Prior our research, less than 20 Psychidae species are listed in China, however we expand the list to 59 species, 35 genera and 7 subfamilies, among them, two species are newly recorded in China.

The Palaearctic types of Chrysididae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) deposited in the Linsenmaier collection. Part 4. Elampini: genus Omalus Panzer, 1801.

An illustrated catalogue of the Palaearctic types of species and subspecies described by Walter Linsenmaier in Omalus Panzer, 1801 is given. Linsenmaier described 16 species and subspecies of Omalus; most of the primary types are deposited in the collection at the Natur-Museum in Luzern, Switzerland, with the exception of four holotypes which are deposited at the Natural History Museum in London, UK; Nationalparkzentrum in Zernez, Switzerland; Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule in Zurich, Switzerland; and Museo de Naturaleza y Arqueologia in St. Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. A list of the species described and pictures of 13 primary and secondary types are presented. A synthesis of his classification is given, with comments and comparison to modern classification.

Notes on the morphology of two species of Limnocoris Stål (Heteroptera: Naucoridae) from South America

In the present study, new distribution records and notes on the wing polymorphism of Limnocoris pallescens (Stål, 1861), a species distributed in Colombia and Venezuela, are presented. Also, after the discovery of two female paralectotypes of L. pectoralis Montandon, 1897 deposited at the Natural History Museum in London, ongoing uncertainty about the shape of the diagnostic mediosternite VII (subgenital plate) of this species has been resolved.

Perilampus neglectus and other neglected species: new records of Palaearctic Perilampidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), with a key to European species of Perilampus

New faunistic records of Palaearctic Perilampidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) are given, based on newly collected material in South-East Europe, South Korea and specimens from the Natural History Museum in London. Euperilampus Walker, 1871 is recorded for the first time in South Korea, with females of E. sinensis Bouček, 1978 being discovered and described for the first time. The genera Perilampus Latreille, 1809 and Steffanolampus Peck, 1974 are recorded for the first time in Greece. Perilampus noemi Nikol’skaya, 1952, collected on Crete and Salamina islands (Greece), is recorded for the first time in Europe. The following species are new to Greece: P. aeneus (Rossius, 1790), P. laevifrons Dalman, 1822, P. micans Dalman, 1820, P. minutalis Steffan, 1952, P. neglectus Bouček, 1956, P. ruficornis (Fabricius, 1793), P. tristis Mayr, 1905, and S. salicetum (Steffan, 1952). The following species are new to Romania: P. aeneus, P. auratus (Panzer, 1798), P. aureoviridis Walker, 1833, P. chrysonotus Förster, 1859, and P. laevifrons. The following species are new to Turkey: P. auratus, P. cephalotes Bouček, 1956, P. ruficornis, and P. tristis. Additionally, P. cephalotes and P. polypori Bouček, 1971 are new to Austria; P. masculinus Bouček, 1956 is new to Sweden; P. ruficornis is new to South Korea; and P. tristis is new also to Cyprus and Spain. The first host record for P. cephalotes and a new host record for P. laevifrons are also given. A key to 20 European species of Perilampus is included. Each species is diagnosed using macrophotography to facilitate its future recognition. The males of P. intermedius Bouček, 1956 and P. neglectus are described for the first time.

How and why we should move beyond natural selection in museums to tackle teleology

BackgroundMuseum displays commonly use a “VIST” approach (Variation, Inheritance, Selection, and Time) to explain evolution to visitors. I contend that this framework, by focusing narrowly on natural selection, unintentionally reinforces intuitive teleological thinking and a “survival of the fittest” mentality. Exhibits that incorporate all the forces (or mechanisms) of evolution will instead challenge visitors’ preconceptions and enable them to develop a deeper understanding of evolution. In particular, visitors will appreciate that evolution is not progressive, with modern humans as the “most evolved” species.ResultsExplicit and implicit description of the forces of evolution is surveyed in 12 museums: 4 in Texas, 7 elsewhere in the U.S., and the Natural History Museum in London. Museum exhibits focus primarily on natural selection (explicit in 10 of 12) and often mention mutation (explicit in 7). Only the American Museum of Natural History in New York, in my sample, provides an explicit explanation of genetic drift.ConclusionsHeavy emphasis on natural selection and limited explanation of stochastic forces contributes to an impoverished view of evolution. Exhibits should more effectively convey the complexity of microevolution. Computer simulations showing the interactions of evolutionary forces can accomplish this goal.

Critical revision of Trichiales (Myxomycetes) at the Natural History Museum London (BM)

Light and scanning electron microscopy were applied to re-assess diagnostic characters of type specimens and critical specimens of twelve species in the order Trichiales (Myxomycetes) from the collections of the Natural History Museum in London (BM). The results were used to discuss published data and the type status for specimens of Arcyria imperialis, Hemitrichia chrysospora, H. intorta, H. karstenii, H. leiotricha, Perichaena cornuvioides, Prototrichia metallica, Trichia affinis, T. intermedia, T. munda and T. scabra. We conclude that Hemitrichia karstenii and Trichia contorta are autonomous species, and we confirm the synonymy of Trichia intermedia with Trichia contorta. The transfer of Perichaena cornuvioides to the genera Trichia or Hemitrichia is rejected.

Voyage of Ben Cao, Part II: Development of Chinese Medicinal Specimens in the British Museum

Voyage of Ben Cao, Part II: Development of Chinese Medicinal Specimens in the British Museum

Hidden jewels of Malaysia: two new genera and species of remarkable clearwing moths (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini)

A stunning scarlet-coloured clearwing moth was found mud-puddling on a rainforest river bank in Malaysia and is described herein as a new genus and species, Scarlata nirvana gen. et sp. Nov.. This sesiid seems to be a rare case of a mimic of an assassin bug (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in a family otherwise known for hymenopteran mimicry. A high-quality video of the moth’s behaviour in its habitat is provided. Studies of the collections of the Natural History Museum in London revealed another member of the new genus, S. guichardii sp. nov. A third species, S. ignisquamulata Kallies, 2018 comb. nov. is transferred to Scarlata gen. nov. from the genus Aschistophleps Hampson, 1892. The second new lineage from Malaysia described here, Malayomelittia gen. nov., includes two species, Malayomelittia pahangensis Skowron, 2015 comb. nov. and M. ruficrista Rothschild, 1912 comb. nov. Additionally, Heterosphecia bantanakai Arita & Gorbunov, 2000 is placed as a junior synonym of H. hyaloptera Hampson, 1919 syn. nov. Morphological descriptions, remarks on behaviour, conditions of occurrence and a discussion about potential mimicry models are included. All new taxa are figured, including images of male genitalia. https://urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:32AF6419-F859-4931-BCA7-848B636CC2EE New genus Scarlata: https://urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B8DC2871-DF12-49A9-A7A7-D67E60776E91 New genus Malayomelittia: https://urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:07B2830B-7E00-4B9D-9D5A-82A7538427F9

Digitising the historical archives of the Conservation Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

The Conservation Centre at the Natural History Museum in London (NHM) holds a collection of approximately 18,000 archival records and documents. These historical records, which include photographs, slides, X-rays, building plans, letters, press cuttings and field maps, provide a history of fieldwork, specimen treatments and the evolution of conservation and preparation methods at the museum. This paper details a six-month project that was carried out to digitise much of these collections, making them more accessible and easier to associate with specimen records on the museum collection management system and adding to a museum-wide drive to improve accessibility through digitisation.

Types of the New World Stigmoderini (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) deposited in Natural History Museum, London Buprestidae: Buprestinae: Stigmoderini.

The type specimens of the New World Stigmoderini deposited in the Natural History Museum in London are catalogued and illustrated. Twenty-eight lectotypes are designated, one of which is a new lectotype, since the previous one is considered invalid under the article 74.2. (ICZN 1999). Holotype and in some cases, paratypes, are recognized for the following taxa: Conognatha nanula Hoscheck, 1934, Conognatha blairi Hoscheck, 1934, Hiperantha decorata var. insignata Hoscheck, 1928 and Hiperantha saundersi Théry, 1928. In addition, Lasionota oberthuri (Kerremans, 1897) rev. stat. is reinstated as a valid species, having been considered to be a junior synonym of Lasionota tetrazonus (Chevrolat, 1838) since 1997. The comparison of the reinstated species, with the recently described species Lasionota inca Moore Diéguez, 2019 showed that both are conspecific and hence L. inca syn. nov. is proposed as a junior synonym of L. oberthuri.

Fungal-induced atmospheric iron corrosion in an indoor environment

A multi-disciplinary investigation was undertaken to determine the cause of corrosion of iron nails from a skeletal structure in a museum setting. Corroded iron nails were removed from a large whale skeleton, that had been assembled in the 1930s and exhibited for over 80 years at the Natural History Museum in London, United Kingdom. Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing, SEM-EDS imaging and chemical mapping were used to document the fungal and bacterial communities associated with the corrosion of the iron nails. A mechanism for indoor fungal-mediated corrosion (biodeterioration) and biomineralisation of iron is proposed. The mechanism includes the establishment of a biofilm dominated by fungi, a corrosive electrolyte produced by fungal activities, transport of ions and biomineralisation of iron-rich minerals.

Egg Parasitoids of Cabbage Caterpillars in Sri Lanka: A Search for Biocontrol Agents

Purpose : Management of cabbage caterpillar complex through augmentative release of egg parasitoids has been suggested considering the current issues in insecticide application, mainly the effect on human health, non-target effects and environmental pollution. Use of local egg parasitoid species is preferred considering the environmental risk associated with the use of exotic species; therefore, this study was conducted to examine the egg parasitoid guild of cabbage caterpillars in Sri Lanka. Research Method : Field survey was conducted during January 2012 to May 2013 in major cabbage growing areas in the mid-country. Eggs of cabbage caterpillars were collected and reared them until the emergence of host larvae or adult parasitoids. Emerged parasitoids were preserved in 70% ethanol, and prepared the microscopic slides upon the dissection of male genitalia. Parasitoids were identified by using taxonomic keys and Trichogramma literature as per the protocol suggested by Natural History museum, London and the identities were confirmed by the taxonomist in Natural history museum in London. Findings : Trichoplusia ni, Spodoptera litura, Crocidolomia pavonana and Plutella xylostella were found as the members of cabbage caterpillar complex. Two egg parasitoid species: Trichogramma chilonis Ishi and Trichogramma achaeae Nagaraja and Nagarkatti were found attacking eggs of cabbage caterpillars. Trichogramma chilonis has been reported previously in Sri Lanka but Trichogramma achaeae is the first country report. T. chilonis was widely distributed and caused for higher level of parasitism than T. achaeae. The highest level of parasitism (67%) by both species was found in Trichoplusia ni eggs which was significantly different from other species. Level of parasitism of caterpillar eggs was significantly varied between pesticide free fields (16.8%) and conventional fields (13.1%). Research Limitation : The study of behavioral characters of these parasitoids is required to assess the suitability as biocontrol agents; as an initial step for augmentative biocontrol, the locally available egg parasitoids were reported in this study. Originality/ Value : These findings would be contributing Sri Lankan agriculture sector to develop the augmentative biocontrol approach to manage the cabbage caterpillar complex and to produce pesticide residues free crop produce.

Treatments for Lipid Oxidation in Taxidermy and Impact on DNA Recovery

ABSTRACT Lipid oxidation, commonly known as fat burn, is a serious problem in taxidermy collections across the world. The zoological collections at the Natural History Museum in London, UK, are no exception. This article outlines the causes and possible solutions for this form of deterioration. Treatments are evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, pH, shrinkage temperature, and their effect on DNA degradation. The most effective treatment may be ammonia vapour, but this requires careful consideration before use.

Review of the genus Senotainia Macquart, 1846 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of the Middle East

ABSTRACT This paper is based on a revision of recent collections (about 100 specimens) housed at Tel Aviv University, the Natural History Museum (London) and Zoological Institute (Saint Petersburg). Short characteristics of the genus Senotainia Macquart, 1846, descriptions of 4 new species, designations of 3 lectotypes, and one new synonym, key and comments of all Middle Eastern species are given. S. flava Verves and Khrokalo, sp. n., S. laetans Verves and Khrokalo, sp. n. and S. similis Verves and Khrokalo, sp. n. are described from Israel, and one (S. paradeserta Verves and Khrokalo, sp. n.) – from Israel and Egypt. One new synonym is given: S. deserta = S. deserta aegyptiaca, syn. n. The lectotypes are designated for S. caspica, S. gobica, and S. turkmenica. Paralectotype is designated for S. gobica. Fourteen species of Senotainia are known from the Middle East, in particular from Cyprus (1 species), Egypt (6, including 1 firstly recorded), Iran (5), Israel (10, including 9 firstly recorded), Jordan (2), Saudi Arabia (2, including 1 firstly recorded), Syria (1), Turkey (4), and United Arab Emirates (1). http://www.zoobank.org//urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:99C97961-87BF-4D8F-8CB1-FDC81591821A

Review of subtribe Pterellina Rohdendorf, 1967 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of Middle East with descriptions of twelve new species

Summary Based on a revision of large recent collections housed at the Natural History Museum (London), Tel Aviv University and in the private collection of Yu. Verves and L. Khrokalo (Kyiv, Ukraine), new distributional data and an updated list with comments of 28 species of Middle Eastern Sarcophagidae of the subtribe Pterellina are presented. Seventeen of them are recorded for Israel, 11 for Egypt, four for Iran, two each for the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and one each for Jordan and the UAE. No data are known for the territories of Bahrain, Cyprus, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria and Yemen. Twelve species new to science are described, including nine from Israel (Chaetapodacra montana n. sp., Eremasiomyia bicolor n. sp., E. deserta n. sp., E. fuscata n. sp., Protomiltogramma bidentata n. sp., P. serrata n. sp., Pterella hermonica n. sp., P. indigens n. sp., P. zefatica n. sp.), two from Egypt (Chaetapodacra griseola n. sp., Eremasiomyia alba n. sp.) and one from Saudi Arabia (Protomiltogramma arabica n. sp.). The male of Eremasiomyia nigra Rohdendorf, 1935 is described for the first time. One new combination of specific name is proposed ‒ Protomiltogramma immunita (Villeneuve, 1923), n. comb. Original keys for the identification of genera and species are proposed. An annotated list of all world genera and species and compiled data on larval habits of Pterellina are included.

The bees of the genus Centris Fabricius, 1804 described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

In this paper the primary types of Centris bees described by the British entomologist Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell deposited in the Natural History Museum (London) and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (Oxford) in the United Kingdom, as well as in the United States National Museum (Washington), American Museum of Natural History (New York), the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (Philadelphia), and in the California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco) in the United States were studied. To stabilize the application of the name C. lepeletieri (= C. haemorrhoidalis (Fabricius)), a lectotype is designated. The study of the primary types allow proposing the revalidation of C. cisnerosi nom. rev. from the synonymy of C. agilis Smith, C. nitida geminata nom. rev. from C. facialis Mocsáry, C. rufulina nom. rev. from C. varia (Erichson), C. semilabrosa nom. rev. from C. terminata Smith and C. triangulifera nom. rev. from C. labrosa Friese. Centris bakeri syn. nov., C. bimaculata carrikeri syn. nov., C. fusciventris matoensis syn. nov., C. heterodonta syn. nov. and C. elegans grenadensis syn. nov. are proposed as a new junior synonyms of C. varia, C. claripennis Friese nom. rev., C. caurensis, C. dentata Smith and C. elegans Smith, respectively. Centris ruae is withdrawn from the synonymy of C. transversa Pérez and proposed as a new junior synonym of C. nitida Smith. In addition, a lectotype for C. buchholzi Herbst (= C. wilmattae) is designated. Information on the repository of the lectotype of C. lepeletieri and images of most primary types studied here are also provided.

Annotated catalogue of chameleon types in the collection of the Natural HistoryMuseum, UK (NHMUK) (Reptilia: Squamata: Chamaeleonidae).

We provide a list of type specimens of chameleons present in the collection of the Natural History Museum in London for the first time, including their associated collection numbers. Currently the collection contains 54 primary types (29 holotypes, two lectotypes and 23 syntype series plus two syntypes where the type status is in doubt) as well as numerous secondary types for 12 species (nine paratype and three paralectotype series). Type material present in the collection represents 39 valid chamaeleon taxa.