中国新纪录纵纹谷蛾属(鳞翅目,谷蛾科)记述

首次报道了纵纹谷蛾属Amorophaga Zagulajev,1968及日本纵纹谷蛾A.japonica Robinson,1986在中国的分布.首次描述了日本纵纹谷蛾雌性个体,简要讨论了该种抱器瓣及爪形突的变异,并提供了成虫及外生殖器图.日本纵纹谷蛾Amorophaga japonica Robinson,1986中国新纪录(图1～7)本种与A.cryptophori外形上相似,但可根据雌雄外生殖器特征进行区分:本种雄性外生殖器爪形突基部不特化,小叶末端具2或3枚小刺突,抱器瓣背缘具1粗指状小叶,不达抱器瓣末端,雌性外生殖器第8背板后缘不特化;而A.cryptophori雄性外生殖器爪形突基部特化形成l对形似颚形突的突起,小叶末端不具刺突,抱器瓣背缘具1宽叶,超过抱器瓣末端,雌性外生殖器第8背板后缘特化,形成三叶状结构.研究标本:1 ♂,江西上饶三清山(28°93′N,118°09′E;海拔389 rn),2012-05-15,李锦伟采,玻片号YLL12129;1 ♂,浙江清凉峰龙塘山(30°07′N,118°51′E;海拔500 m),2012-05-22,杨琳琳、张振国采,玻片号YLL12113m,YLL12113w;1 ♂,福建武夷山三港(27°45′N,117°41′E;海拔740 m),2004-05-19,于海丽采,玻片号MYH11006;1 ♂,1♀,广东连州大东山(24°46′N,112°41′E;海拔650m),2004-06-21,张丹丹采,玻片号XYL08043m,YLL11046f.分布:中国(浙江、福建、江西、广东);日本.     

中国斑织蛾属四新种记述(鳞翅目,织蛾科)

记述中国斑织蛾属Ripeacma Moriuti,Saito et Lewvanich 4新种.梯斑织蛾Ripeacma trapezialis sp.nov.采自贵州梵净山,与疣斑织蛾Ripeacma verruculosa Wang et Li 外表相似,可通过外生殖器特征区别:新种雄性颚形突的侧臂短于腹板,抱器腹背缘无突起,囊形突略呈三角形;雌性交配孔两侧呈齿轮状突出,囊突具小齿.杯斑织蛾Ripeacma cotyliformis sp.nov.采自湖北五峰,与秦岭斑织蛾Ripeacma qinlingensis Wang et Zheng外部特征近似,可通过雄性外生殖器特征加以区别:新种爪形突小三角形,颚形突前缘生出一杯状突起,抱器腹明显具端突,阳茎基环略呈矩形.毛斑织蛾Ripeacma setosa sp.nov.采自贵州梵净山,与Ripeacma yaiensis Moriuti,Saito et Lewvanich相似,但其雄性爪形突短三角形,颚形突不呈带状,抱器腹端突具稠密的刚毛,可与后者区别.茎裂斑织蛾Ripeacma bilobata sp.nov.采自贵州梵净山和湖南桑植,可通过以下特征与该属所有已知种区别:前翅前缘基部及中部偏外各有一个大三角形黑斑延伸至翅中部,雄性颚形突呈"X"状;雌性生殖板强烈骨化.该文同时首次报道了角斑织蛾Ripeacma trigonia Wang et Li的雌性个体.文中提供了新种的成虫及外生殖器特征图.模式标本保存在南开大学生物系.     

世界黄阔祝蛾属分类概述及一新种记述(鳞翅目:祝蛾科)

列出了黄阔祝蛾属Lecitholaxa Gozmany世界已知7种的名录,包括1新种和2新组合种。新组合种Lecitholaxa pogonikuma(Wu et Park)和L.Mesosura(W u et Park)系由祝蛾属Lecithocera中移入。新种南林黄阔祝蛾Lecitholaxa adonia sp.nov.采自中国湖南,新种与L.kumatai Gozmany近缘,但本种雄性外生殖器的抱器瓣较短,阳茎内有片状的阳茎针;雌性外生殖器第8腹板的尾缘几乎直,囊突大而呈椭圆形。L.kumatai Gozmany则抱器瓣较长,阳茎内无片状阳茎针;雌性第8腹板的尾缘深凹,估小而呈横条状。模式标本保存在中国科学院动物研究所。     

中国谷蛾一新属新种(鳞翅目:谷蛾科)

本文记述地谷蛾亚科Meessiinae的1新属:合腺地谷蛾属Unilepidotricha gen.nov.,及新种细弯合腺地谷蛾Unilepidotricha gracilicurva sp.nov.(图1~6)。新属与Xeringinia属近似且新种与X.altilis(Meyrick)很相似,但雄性腹部背面第3与第4节之间有特殊的狭长鳞片斑,颚形突和阳茎基环发达;雌性交配囊有2个囊突等可以区别。模式标本采自云南大理州巍山县巍宝山自然保护区,保存在南开大学生命科学院昆虫标本室。     

红展足蛾属Oedematopoda Zeller二新种记述(鳞翅目:织蛾科:展足蛾亚科)

记述红展足蛾属2新种,其中济源红展足蛾Oedematopoda jiyuanica Wang,sp.nov.采自河南济源,与红展足蛾O.ignipicta(Butler)相似,但新种前翅翅面上有2条几乎平行的黑色纵条纹,雄性抱器瓣中部不扩大,末端平截,而后者前翅无黑色纵条纹,雄性抱器瓣中部膨大,末端圆。双突红展足蛾Oedematopoda furcata Wang,sp.nov.采自福建武夷山,可通过其爪形突后缘分叉形成2个大尖突与其它已知种区别。新种模式标本保存在南开大学生命科学学院昆虫标本室。     

中国伪带织蛾属二新种记述 (鳞翅目：织蛾科)

 记述了织蛾科Oecophoridae伪带织蛾属Irepacma二新种。茎刺伪带织蛾Iaedeagife ra Wang,Liu et Li,sp.nov.采自四川青城山,与Ipakiensis Moriuti,Saito et Lewvanich相似,但该种爪形突退化,抱器腹呈带状,阳茎端基环侧叶具稠密的刚毛。海 南伪带织蛾Ihainanensis Wang,Liu et Li,sp.nov.采自海南省天池,与Ipi ngensis Moriuti,Saito et Lewvanich近似,但该种雄性抱器背基叶不对称,抱器腹 端部有二突起,雌性囊突的形状不同于后者。文中提供了外生殖器特征图。模式标本分别保 存在南开大学生物系和中国科学院动物研究所。     

潜织蛾属Locheutis Meyrick 在中国首次报道及一新 种记述(鳞翅目：织蛾科)

 首次报道了潜织蛾属Locheutis Meyrick 在中国的分布,并 记述了一新种：天目潜织蛾Ltianmushana sp.nov.,采自浙江省天目山。该新种与 L empolaea Meyrick相似,但可通过雄性外生殖器特征区别：该种抱器瓣端部不膨大, 具稀疏刚毛;阳茎端基环端部有一堆短刺;阳茎约为抱器瓣的1.5倍长,端部具微刺和疣突 。模式标本保存在南开大学生物系。     

原小卷蛾属分类研究(鳞翅目,卷蛾科,新小卷蛾亚科)

原小卷蛾属Sillybiphora Kuznetsov目前全世界仅知1种,中国已有记载.记述2种,包括1新种:微凸原小卷蛾S.pauliprotuberans sp.nov..文中给出了原小卷蛾属的分种检索表,提供了成虫图及外生殖器特征图.研究标本均保存在南开大学生命科学学院昆虫标本室.新种与庐原小卷蛾S.devia(Kuznetsov)在雄性外生殖器上相似,两者的主要区别是:新种基斑不明显,散布黑褐色条纹和斑点;端斑椭圆形且大,长与前翅宽约等宽;抱器腹近端部有一小的凸起,约为抱器瓣基部洞穴宽的1/10;抱器端端部膨大呈球状.庐原小卷蛾S.devia(Kuznetsov)基斑明显,黑褐色圆斑;端斑圆形且小,长约为前翅宽的2/3;抱器腹近端部有一大的凸起,与抱器瓣基部洞穴约等宽;抱器端端部无明显膨大,从基部到端部约等宽.     

中国伪带织蛾属二新种记述(鳞翅目：织蛾科)

记述了织蛾科Oecophoridae伪带织蛾属Irepacma二新种。茎刺伪带织蛾I. aedeagifera Wang, Liu et Li, sp. nov. 采自四川青城山,与I. pakiensis Moriuti,Saito et Lewvanich相似,但该种爪形突退化,抱器腹呈带状,阳茎端基环侧叶具稠密的刚毛。海南伪带织蛾I. hainanensis Wang,Liu et Li, sp. nov.采自海南省天池,与I. pingensis Moriuti,Saito et Lewvanich近似,但该种雄性抱器背基叶不对称,抱器腹端部有二突起,雌性囊突的形状不同于后者。文中提供了外生殖器特征图。模式标本分别保存在南开大学生物系和中国科学院动物研究所。     

潜织蛾属Locheutis Meyrick 在中国首次报道及一新种记述(鳞翅目：织蛾科)

首次报道了潜织蛾属Locheutis Meyrick 在中国的分布,并记述了一新种：天目潜织蛾L. tianmushana sp. nov.,采自浙江省天目山。该新种与 L. empolaea Meyrick相似,但可通过雄性外生殖器特征区别：该种抱器瓣端部不膨大,具稀疏刚毛;阳茎端基环端部有一堆短刺;阳茎约为抱器瓣的1.5倍长,端部具微刺和疣突。模式标本保存在南开大学生物系。     

略论棕榈科与新分出的省藤科的系统分类、演化、区系地理及主要的经济用途

棕榈科原省藤亚科因其子房壁及外果皮被倒生、螺旋状排列的鳞片所覆盖,而区别于其他亚科,因而独立分出成一新科--省藤科。作者讨论了棕榈科的祖先种可能在石炭纪时,自原始裸子植物开以顿目在分化、衍生出苏铁目祖先种的进化干上,于白垩纪时分化出的一个分支。在棕榈科的祖先种出现不久后,在其进化的分支上,于白垩纪后期又分化出一旁支,成为棕榈科的姊妹科--省藤科的祖先种。从两祖先种分别再分化、衍生出现今分布地球上该二科的属与种。两科、尤其前者是被子植物、尤其是单子叶植物中最原始的类群之一。作者还提出棕榈科象牙椰亚科与贝叶棕亚科是该科最原始或较原始的两类群;槟榔亚科和腊材榈亚科是较进化的两类群;而水椰亚科祖先种可能源于象牙椰亚科的祖先种,但又演化为该科最进化与特化的类群。省藤科省藤亚科略比鳞果榈亚科原始。作者讨论了两科为泛热带分布的科,指出两科的"现代分布区"在南北两半球热带地区,少数种还延伸分布到两半球暖亚热带、甚至达中亚热带地区,分布区边缘最北达日本中部、中国长江流域及黄河下游的南部,美国加利佛尼亚州与佛罗里达州和地中海北部;最南达智利中部和新西兰南部;而"现代分布中心"在热带与暖亚热带的亚洲,中、南美洲,大洋洲及非洲的东、南、西部;但分布区的"密集中心"则在热带亚洲、热带中及南美洲、南太平洋群岛及非洲东南部。作者还介绍了近50年我国南方引种驯化成功的两科植物近400种(见^*图谱),其中少数为耐寒的种类,有的种已引种到长江流域或更北的地区。引种的大部分种都有其重要的经济用途,包括:1. 食用,如淀粉和树液可制"西米"或制糖,酿酒、醋或作饮料;果或种子榨油,供食用或工业用;某些种的嫩芽作蔬菜,甚至种子代咖啡饮用;2. 药用,有消炎、止血、活血、驱虫、抗癌等用;3. 建筑、工艺与日用品,包括不少种的树干供建普通房子、桥梁、小船;少数种可提制工业用蜡;许多种的纤维制高级缆绳和编织品;还制工艺品与日用品等;4. 代表热带景观的园林工程、绿化及美化环境的观赏树和人行道树及建造园林景观生态类型的树种等。     

Floral elaiophore structure in four representatives of the Ornithocephalus clade (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae)

Background and Aims A significant number of species assigned to the Neotropical orchid sub-tribe Oncidiinae reward insect pollinators with oil produced in floral glands termed elaiophores. The latter may be glabrous (epithelial elaiophores) or hirsute (trichomal elaiophores). Although the detailed anatomy and ultrastructure of epithelial elaiophores have been studied for a number of genera, such as Oncidium Sw., Gomesa R. Br. and Trichocentrum Poepp. & Endl., hitherto, trichomal elaiophores have been investigated only for a single species of Oncidiinae, Ornithocephalus ciliatus Lindl. Furthermore, this is the only representative of the Ornithocephalus clade to be investigated to date. Here, an examination is made of the elaiophore anatomy and ultrastructure of a further four species currently assigned to this clade (Ornithocephalus gladiatus Hook., Phymatidium falcifolium Lindl., Zygostates grandiflora (Lindl.) Mansf. and Zygostates lunata Lindl.) and the results compared with those obtained for other Oncidiinae. Methods Elaiophore structure was examined for all species at three stages of flower development: closed bud, first day of anthesis and final stage of anthesis, using light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and histochemistry. Key Results Elaiophores of O. gladiatus occur upon the lateral lobes of the labellum and display characters intermediate between those of typical epithelial and trichomal elaiophores, in that they are largely glabrous, consisting mainly of cuboidal epidermal cells, but bear short, unicellular hairs proximally. By contrast, the elaiophores of all the other species investigated occur on the callus and are of the trichomal type. In P. falcifolium, these unicellular hairs are capitate. In all species, oil secretion commenced at the closed floral bud stage. Ultrastructurally, the mainly trichomal elaiophores of the four representatives of the Ornithocephalus clade closely resembled the epithelial elaiophores of other Oncidiinae, in that their cells displayed an organelle complement typical of lipid-secreting cells. However, in some taxa, a number of noteworthy characters were present. For example, the elaiophore cuticle of O. gladiatus and P. falcifolium was bi-layered, the outer layer being lamellate, the inner reticulate. The cuticle of Z. grandiflora and Z. lunata was also lamellate, but here, a reticulate layer was absent. Accumulation of secreted oil resulted in the localized distension of the cuticle. Cuticular cracks and pores, however, were absent from all species. The walls of the secretory cells of Z. grandiflora were also atypical in that they had short protuberances or ingrowths, and contained cavities which are thought to be involved in the secretory process. Conclusions Of the species investigated, most displayed similar anatomical organization, their trichomal elaiophores occurring on the labellar callus. They, thus, differ from many other members of the Oncidiinae, where epithelial elaiophores are found either on the callus, or on the lateral lobes of the labellum. However, ultrastructurally, all elaiophores, whether those of representatives of the Ornithocephalus clade, or those of other oil-secreting Oncidiinae, possessed a similar complement of organelles, regardless of whether the elaiophores were trichomal or epithelial. In view of the latter, and the similar chemical composition of oils derived from all Oncidiinae investigated to date, it is probable that position and type of elaiophore, and possibly the structure of the overlying cuticle, play an important role in pollinator selection in these oil-secreting orchids.     

山东山旺Palaeomeryx化石的初步研究

Palaeomeryx 在含义、性质和分类位置上,一直是一个争论较多的属.最近在山旺发现的 Palaeomeryx 完整骨架,为解决上述问题提供了有价值的资料和证据. Palaeomeryx 雄性具有一对眶上"皮骨角"和单一的"枕顶角".根据共近裔性状的分析,本文作者认为 Palaeomeryx 应该归入长颈鹿,作为这一支中最早分出的一个旁支.长颈鹿和鹿科有较近的亲缘关系,而和牛科的关系较远. Palaeomeryx 大概位于 Blastomeryx 和 Leptomeryx 之间,从反刍类主干中分出.山旺的材料,代表本属中一个较原始的新种: Palaeomeryx tricornis. 它的时代,可能相当于欧洲的 MN4 或 MN5.     

Concentration of 17 trace elements in serum and whole blood of plains viscachas (Lagostomus maximus) by ICP-MS, their reference ranges, and their relation to cataract

The reference ranges of the trace elements Al, As, Be, B, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Li, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in sera of a group of free-ranging plains viscachas of the pampa grasslands of Argentina. The values were compared with those of a small group of captive plains viscachas of the Zurich Zoo with diabetes and bilateral cataracts. In addition, a method for digestion of whole-blood samples is described for the trace element determination. Significant differences in the concentration of trace elements in the two groups of animals are discussed. No correlation was found between the levels of selenium and of other trace elements compared to the formation of cataracts.     

Comparative morphology and evolutionary pathways of the mouthparts in spore-feeding Staphylinoidea (Coleoptera)

This study surveys the external morphology of the mouthparts in the guild of spore‐feeders among the coleopterous superfamily Staphylinoidea, evaluating the influence of different phylogenetic and ecological starting points on the formation of their mouthparts. Our emphasis is on a scanning electron microscope analysis (SEM) of the involved trophic structures in spore‐feeding larvae and adults of the Ptiliidae, Leiodidae and Staphylinidae, describing the fine structure of their main functional elements. Functionally, mouthpart structures resemble brushes, brooms, combs, rakes, rasps, excavators, knives, thorns, cram‐brushes, bristle troughs, blocks and differently structured grinding surfaces. Their different involvement in the various aspects of the feeding process (i.e. food gathering, transporting, channelling and grinding) is deduced from our SEM analyses plus direct video observations. We infer five different patterns of food transport and processing, discriminating adults of ptiliids, leiodids plus staphylinids (excluding some aleocharines), several aleocharine staphylinids, and the larvae of leiodids and staphylinids. The structural diversity of the mouthparts increases in the order from (1) Ptiliidae, (2) Leiodidae towards (3) Staphylinidae, reflecting the increasing systematic and ecological diversity of these groups. Comparisons with non‐spore‐feeders show that among major lineages of staphylinoids, shifts from general microphagy to sporophagy are not necessarily constrained by, nor strongly reflected in, mouthpart morphology. Nevertheless, in several of these lineages the organs of food intake and grinding have experienced particular fine‐structural modifications, which have undergone convergent evolution, probably in response to specialized mycophagy such as spore‐feeding. These modifications involve advanced galeal rakes, galeal or lacinial ‘spore brushes’ with arrays of stout bristles, reinforced obliquely ventrad orientated prosthecal lobes and the differentiations of the molar grinding surfaces into stout teeth or tubercles. In addition, several staphylinids of the tachyporine and oxyteline groups with reduced mandibular molae have evolved secondary trituration surfaces, which in some aleocharines are paralleled by considerable re‐constructions of the labium–hypopharynx.     

Mass ratios of magnesium to calcium and phosphorus in the arteries of Japanese and Thai

To elucidate quantitative changes of Ca, P, and Mg in the arteries with aging, the authors investigated changes of the mass ratios of Mg to Ca and P in the arteries of Japanese and Thai by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The arteries of Japanese that were used were the thoracic and abdominal aortas, coronary, common iliac, internal iliac, external iliac, and femoral arteries, in which very high accumulations of Ca and P occurred in old age. The arteries of Thai that were used were the abdominal aorta, ramifying site of the abdominal aorta, coronary, common iliac, internal iliac, and external iliac arteries. It was found that there were extremely significant correlations both between Ca and Mg contents and between P and Mg contents in all of the arteries of the Japanese and the Thai. With regard to the mass ratio, the mass ratios of Mg to Ca ranged from 1.5% to 2.1% in the six arteries of the Japanese, except for the thoracic aorta at 3.1%, at an advanced stage of atherosclerosis, being similar to each other. In the arteries of the Thai, the mass ratios of Mg to Ca ranged from 1.9% to 3.0%, except for the coronary artery at 0.5%, at an advanced stage of atherosclerosis. The mass ratios of Mg to P ranged from 2.5% to 2.7% in the six arteries of the Japanese, except for the coronary artery at 1.8%, at an advanced stage of atherosclerosis. With regard to the arteries of the Thai, the mass ratios of Mg to P ranged from 1.9% to 3.3%, except for the coronary artery at 0.7%, at an advanced stage of atherosclerosis. These results revealed that both the mass ratios of Mg to Ca and Mg to P were almost similar among the arteries of Japanese and Thai, except for the coronary arteries. Therefore, these results suggested that the inorganic deposits in the coronary arteries of Japanese and Thai were similar to those in the intimal tunica of the thoracic aorta, whereas in the other arteries, they were similar to those in the middle tunica of the thoracic aorta.     

Effects of Microbial and Other Antagonistic Organism and Competition on Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Antagonistic factors, broadly identified as antibiosis, competition and natural enemies, impact on entomopathogenic nematodes. Antibiosis can occur through the release of plant chemicals from the roots into the soil, which may adversely affect the host-finding behavior of the infective stage nematode, or the presence of these chemicals in the host insect may negatively affect nematode reproduction. In laboratory studies, intra-specific and inter-specific competition reduces nematode fitness, and inter-specific competition can cause local extinction of a nematode species. For example, after concomitant infection of a host, a steinernematid species usually excludes a heterorhabditid species. The mechanism for the steinernematid superiority has been postulated to be a bacteriocin(s) produced by Xenorhabdus, the symbiotic bacterium of the steinernematid, which prevents Photorhabdus, the symbiotic bacterium of the heterorhabditid, from multiplying. Inter-specific competition between two steinernematid species shows that both can co-exist in a host, but one species will eventually prevail in the environment. By having different foraging strategies, however, both steinermatid species may co-exist in the same habitat. An important issue is whether the introduction of an exotic entomopathogenic nematode species will competitively displace an indigenous nematode species. Although the environmental risks are small, the recommended policy is that the introduction of exotic nematodes be regulated. With other pathogens, entomopathogenic nematodes can out-compete entomopathogenic fungi, but not Bacillus thuringiensis, for the same host individual when both the nematode and entomopathogen are applied simultaneously. The best studied natural enemy is the nematophagous fungus, Hirsutella rhossiliensis, which causes higher mortality in Steinernema glaseri compared with Heterorhabditis bacteriorphora. Differential susceptibility to the fungus may be associated with the retention of the second-stage cuticle by H. bacteriophora. Invertebrate predators including mites and collembolans feed on entomopathogenic nematodes. Although a number of studies have been conducted with antagonists, there is a dearth of field data. We suggest that long-term research plots be established where natural populations of entomopathogenic nematodes occur and include antagonists as a component of such studies.     

Tissue specific protochlorophyll(ide) forms in dark-forced shoots of grapevine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis>L.)

Cuttings of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay) were dark-forced at least three weeks. Pigment contents, 77 K fluorescence emission, excitation spectra of the leaves, petioles, stems, transmission electron micrographs of the etioplasts from leaves, the chlorenchyma tissues of the stems were analysed. The dark-grown leaves, stems contained 8 to 10, 3 to 5 μg/g fresh weight protochlorophyllide, its esters, respectively. HPLC analysis showed that the molar ratio of the unesterified, esterified pigments was 7:3 in the shoot developed in darkness. The dark-forced leaves contained carotenoids identified as: neoxanthin, violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein, β-carotene. Detailed analyses of the fluorescence spectra proved that all tissues of the dark-forced shoots had protochlorophyllide or protochlorophyll forms with emission maxima at 628, 636, 644, 655, 669 nm. The 628, 636 nm emitting forms were present in all parts of the dark-forced shoot, but dominated in the stems, which may indicate an organ specificity of the etioplast development. Variations in the distribution of the pigment forms were even found in the different tissues of the stem. The subepidermal layers were more abundant in the 655 nm form than the parenchyma cells of the inner part of the cortex, the pith. In the latter cells, the plastid differentiation stopped in intermediary stages between proplastids, etioplasts. The plastids in the subepidermal layers had developed prolamellar body structures, which were similar to those of etiolated leaves. The results highlight the importance of organ-, tissue specificity of plastid differentiation for chlorophyll biosynthesis, greening of different plant organs. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The peregrination of Alcide d’Orbigny's Foraminifera Collection at the Museum of Natural History,Paris: From the creation of a Palaeontology chair to the advent of Micropalaeontology

Alcide d’Orbigny made his mark in the history of French Palaeontology by becoming, in 1853, the first holder of the chair of Palaeontology at the Museum of Natural History, Paris. His work on foraminifera made him one of the pioneers of Micropalaeontology. Today, his original collection of foraminifera, bought by the Museum after his death, represents one of the most prestigious collections of the institution. However, for more than a century, it had been relegated to the reserves and to the good will of a few enthusiasts, while the priority of research study was given to the large vertebrate fossils. It survived the conflicts that affected the Palaeontology department, and was moved in response to construction works, wars and natural accidents such as the great flood of 1910. These different events, combined with inappropriate storage conditions, probably caused the fragility of the specimens. In order to better understand this phenomenon, known as Byne's decay, research has been undertaken to reconstruct the various storage points of the collection from its acquisition to the present day. This article aims to demonstrate the close link between the Foraminifera Collection and the history of the chair of Palaeontology, through evidence drawn from the archives of the Palaeontology laboratory and the Museum of Natural History.