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At this point the specimens would be databased with the same collection information and as the same collection event. Using that, someone could reconstruct that they were all from the same collection event. Basically exactly what we would do now for, say, 50 individually pointed specimens collected at a blacklight. 

Concerning what specimens have been removed, the plan right now is to just make a comment under the photograph. In a more robust system someone might select specimens in a photograph and highlight that they have been removed, or again, make a comment or note somewhere. 

You're right, samples that are too dense wouldn't work for this system. However, a large sample spread out along a trough could be captured in multiple photographs and be just as useful. 

Cheers, 

Mike

On Wed, Oct 4, 2017 at 3:13 PM, Andrew Brower <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi all,

My question is, do you database specimens that are removed and prepared as individual specimens as being associated with a particular sample so that someone could reconstruct the contents of the sample again some day?  Do you have a means to indicate that, say, thrips, have been removed from a given residue so that future researchers do not search for them again?

I also note that this photographic system works well for malaise samples that don’t have too many insects in them, but if you tried to do it with a typical week-long sample, you would just see a kaleidoscopic mess.

Cheers,

AB

Professor Andrew V. Z. Brower
Evolution and Ecology Group
Dept. of Biology, Box 60
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN 37132




From: Entomological Collections Network Listserve <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Neil Stanley Cobb <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Neil Stanley Cobb <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 12:33 PM
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Collection Residues (By-catch)

Mike,

 

These are great, I would add that with a scale reference you could do basic morphometrics on a lot of the taxa.  I also think they would be a great resource for training/testing students and techs that process these kinds of samples.  The resolution is high enough that, for example,  orabitid mites are clearly distinguishable. The best ones are in petri dishes without non-invertebrate material but even the ones with plant litter are worth perusing.  This is something NEON should do with their by-catch if they are not already doing it.  The LSAM Project are too messy to be that helpful, although it was good that they posted them.

 

Cheers,

Neil

 

From: Entomological Collections Network Listserve [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mike Ferro
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2017 10:30 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Collection Residues (By-catch)

 

We've posted photographs of residue specimens (by-catch) that have recently been incorporated into the Clemson University Arthropod Collection (CUAC).

 

Brooks Samples (Malaise) - Residues

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EVknqBNJO28tfcHg2

Specimens were collected as part of:

Brooks, J. D., S. C. Loeb, and P. D. Gerard. 2017. Effect of forest opening characteristics, prey abundance, and environmental factors on bat activity in the Southern Appalachians. Forest Ecology and Management 400: 19–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2017.05.045

 

Leaf Litter (Berlese) - Residues

https://photos.app.goo.gl/KWJY6VHoFybAq8FL2

A hodgepodge of residues from leaf litter samples taken mostly in the eastern US. Most have been scoured for beetles, although a few samples are coleopteriferous.

 

Immediate use:

Like any specimens at CUAC, these are available to visitors for study. Loan requests for specimens to be shipped, either sorted from the residue sample or the entire sample for specimen extraction, will be considered on a case by case basis. Persons interested in volunteering to visit CUAC and sort specimens (or order, family, etc.) are welcomed! 

 

Long term vision:

These photographs represent the first steps in creating a process that will lead to the following scenario:

 

1. Photograph of residue sample uploaded to public site.

2. Relevant information entered, especially: locality, date, collection technique, institution.

3. Public users can tag specimens (either point or outline) within the image with identifications.

4. Photos can be searched based on locality, date, collection technique, and taxon.

 

The end result is that researchers can search for taxa of interest and (perhaps) orphaned taxa (thrips, Psocoptera, pseudoscorpions, etc.) will become more apparent and may acquire a champion. In other words, turning trash into treasure.

 

All four of the processes above exist independently, but are not integrated for this particular purpose. Such a system could be created through collaboration, grants, masters or Ph.D. students, etc., but it can't be done solely at CUAC. Those interested in developing something on their own or collaborating are welcomed.

 

Additional samples of collection residues (although not quite as user friendly) are available from LSAM at Project 1000 Elves: www.flickr.com/photos/12666884@N00/sets/72157638993527325/

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

 

--

Michael L. Ferro
Collection Manager, Clemson University Arthropod Collection (CUAC)
Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences
MAIL: 277 Poole Agricultural Center
OFFICE: 307 Long Hall
Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0310

Subject Editor: The Coleopterists Bulletin; Insecta Mundi



--
Michael L. Ferro
Collection Manager, Clemson University Arthropod Collection (CUAC)
Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences
MAIL: 277 Poole Agricultural Center
OFFICE: 307 Long Hall
Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0310
Subject Editor: The Coleopterists Bulletin; Insecta Mundi