No specimen left behind: industrial scale digitization of natural history collections

Traditional approaches for digitizing natural history collections, which include both imaging and metadata capture, are both labour- and time-intensive. Mass-digitization can only be completed if the resource-intensive steps, such as specimen selection and databasing of associated information, are minimized. Digitization of larger collections should employ an “industrial” approach, using the principles of automation and crowd sourcing, with minimal initial metadata collection including a mandatory persistent identifier. A new workflow for the mass-digitization of natural history museum collections based on these principles, and using SatScan® tray scanning system, is described.     

Whole-drawer imaging for digital management and curation of a large entomological collection

Whole-drawer imaging is shown to be an effective tool for rapid digitisation of large insect collections. On-line, Whole-drawer images facilitate more effective collection management, virtual curation, and public engagement. The Whole-drawer imaging experience at the Australian National Insect Collection is discussed, with an explanation of workflow and examples of benefits.     

The natural history of the ethical concept and its implications for the present natural equilibrium

The present article was originally published in the medical italian journal,Rassegna Medica, 1984. The author, on the basis of the recent development of the biotechnology, genetic engineering and environment exploitation by man, attempts to reconstruct the natural history of the ethical concept and its implications for the present natural equilibrium. On this basis he suggests a concept of bioethics which stresses Man-Environment interaction.     

Comparative genetic analyses of historical and contemporary collections highlight contrasting demographic histories for the bumble bees Bombus pensylvanicus and B. impatiens in Illinois

Direct comparison of genetic patterns between museum specimens and contemporary collections can be a powerful approach for detecting recent demographic changes. Using microsatellite markers, we examined historical and contemporary genetic variation from an apparently declining bumble bee species, Bombus pensylvanicus , and from a stable species, Bombus impatiens , in central Illinois. For each species, we genotyped specimens from the Illinois Natural History Survey collected from three populations between 1969–1972 and from a resurvey of the same areas conducted in 2008. Population structure in B . pensylvanicus increased markedly over the last four decades (from θ_ST = 0.001 to 0.027) while no structure was detected in B . impatiens for either time period (θ_ST = –0.006 to –0.003). Changes in genetic diversity were not significant for either species, although small reductions were observed for B . pensylvanicus in all three populations. Coalescent simulations incorporating both contemporary and historical samples suggest that this small change is not surprising for recent population declines, as large reductions in genetic diversity were only apparent under the most severe bottleneck scenarios. These results demonstrate how comparisons of genetic patterns between temporal periods and species can help elucidate potential threats to population health and suggest several strategies that might be useful in the conservation of B . pensylvanicus in the Midwestern USA.     

The genomic and physiological basis of life history variation in a butterfly metapopulation

Unravelling the mechanisms underlying variation in life history traits is of fundamental importance for our understanding of adaptation by natural selection. While progress has been made in mapping fitness-related phenotypes to genotypes, mainly in a handful of model organisms, functional genomic studies of life history adaptations are still in their infancy. In particular, despite a few notable exceptions, the genomic basis of life history variation in natural populations remains poorly understood. This is especially true for the genetic underpinnings of life history phenotypes subject to diversifying selection driven by ecological dynamics in patchy environments--as opposed to adaptations involving strong directional selection owing to major environmental changes, such as latitudinal gradients, extreme climatic events or transitions from salt to freshwater. In this issue of Molecular Ecology,Wheat et al. (2011) now make a significant leap forward by applying the tools of functional genomics to dispersal-related life history variation in a butterfly metapopulation. Using a combination of microarrays, quantitative PCR and physiological measurements, the authors uncover several metabolic and endocrine factors that likely contribute to the observed life history phenotypes. By identifying molecular candidate mechanisms of fitness variation maintained by dispersal dynamics in a heterogeneous environment,they also begin to address fascinating interactions between the levels of physiology, ecology and evolution.     

The development and demise of a Medieval forest-meadow system at Linnaeus' birthplace in southern Sweden: implications for conservation and forest history

The rapid industrialisation of agriculture and forestry during the last century has contributed to a transformation of the forested landscape in southern Sweden. Palaeoecological investigation revealed how the Medieval forest-meadow system was created about 900 years ago from a deciduous forest type that had been rather stable for the previous 3000 years. The study site was a forest hollow close to where Linnaeus was born and brought up. The species-rich forest-meadow system suffered from over-grazing during the human-population peak of the nineteenth century, and was abandoned about one hundred years ago. The recent forest succession in southern Sweden has led to reduced floristic biodiversity and created conservation problems related to disappearance of open landscape, even though the remnant vegetation is moving towards the near-natural forest type. Spatially detailed palaeoecology permits documentation of baseline conditions, and places conservation debates in a valuable temporal perspective.     

Intraperitoneal delivery of human natural killer cells for treatment of ovarian cancer in a mouse xenograft model

Background aimsThere is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies for relapsed ovarian cancer. Dramatic clinical anti-tumor effects have been observed with interleukin (IL)-2 activated natural killer (NK) cells; however, intravenous delivery of NK cells in patients with ovarian cancer has not been successful in ameliorating disease. We investigated in vivo engraftment of intraperitoneally (IP) delivered NK cells in an ovarian cancer xenograft model to determine if delivery mode can affect tumor cell killing and circumvent lack of NK cell expansion.MethodsAn ovarian cancer xenograft mouse model was established to evaluate efficacy of IP-delivered NK cells. Tumor burden was monitored by bioluminescent imaging of luciferase-expressing ovarian cancer cells. NK cell persistence, tumor burden and NK cell trafficking were evaluated. Transplanted NK cells were evaluated by flow cytometry and cytotoxicity assays.ResultsIP delivery of human NK cells plus cytokines led to high levels of circulating NK and was effective in clearing intraperitoneal ovarian cancer burden in xenografted mice. NK cells remained within the peritoneal cavity 54 days after injection and had markers of maturation. Additionally, surviving NK cells were able to kill ovarian cancer cells at a rate similar to pre-infusion levels, supporting that in vivo functionality of human NK cells can be maintained after IP infusion.ConclusionsIP delivery of NK cells leads to stable engraftment and antitumor response in an ovarian cancer xenograft model. These data support further pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of IP delivery of allogeneic NK cells in ovarian cancer.     

The indigenous honey bees of Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner): Their natural history and role in beekeeping

Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner (= yemenitica auctorum: videEngel 1999) has been used in apiculture throughout the Arabian Peninsula since at least 2000 BC. Existing literature demonstrates that these populations are well adapted for the harsh extremes of the region. Populations of Apis mellifera jemenitica native to Saudi Arabia are far more heat tolerant than the standard races often imported from Europe. Central Saudi Arabia has the highest summer temperatures for the Arabian Peninsula, and it is in this region where only Apis mellifera jemenitica survives, while other subspecies fail to persist. The indigenous race of Saudi Arabia differs from other subspecies in the region in some morphological, biological, and behavioral characteristics. Further taxonomic investigation, as well as molecular studies, is needed in order to confirm whether the Saudi indigenous bee populations represent a race distinct from Apis mellifera jemenitica, or merely an ecotype of this subspecies.     

The chequered history of the development and use of simultaneous equations for the accurate determination of chlorophylls a and b

Over the last half century, the most frequently used assay for chlorophylls in higher plants and green algae, the Arnon assay [Arnon DI (1949) Plant Physiol 24: 1–15], employed simultaneous equations for determining the concentrations of chlorophylls a and b in aqueous 80% acetone extracts of chlorophyllous plant and algal materials. These equations, however, were developed using extinction coefficients for chlorophylls a and b derived from early inaccurate spectrophotometric data. Thus, Arnon's equations give inaccurate chlorophyll a and b determinations and, therefore, inaccurate chlorophyll a/b ratios, which are always low. This paper describes how the ratios are increasingly and alarmingly low as the proportion of chlorophyll a increases. Accurate extinction coefficients for chlorophylls a and b, and the more reliable simultaneous equations derived from them, have been published subsequently by many research groups; these new post-Arnon equations, however, have been ignored by many researchers. This Minireview records the history of the development of accurate simultaneous equations and some difficulties and anomalies arising from the retention of Arnon's seriously flawed equations. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.