A Global Database of Arthropod Collections
We are developing an online database, including maps of all arthropod collections in the world https://bug-collections.org/ .
The purpose of this online resource is to increase awareness of arthropod holdings and promote collaboration among collections. We have initiated this project targeting North American and Australian collections. Basic public information for collection, including location, geographic and taxonomic extent, personnel, holdings, education-Outreach programs, community science projects, and digital resources. A set of the clickable map(s) that link to the database. We expect to serve non-Public data on sustainability issues (e.g., funding streams, administrative structure, sustainability plans). Collections will be allowed to register and edit their own information and add personnel. API connection to other databases (e.g., GBIF) to further highlight collection holdings, programs, and ongoing field campaigns.
The map below displays arthropod collections in North America and US territories. These 223 collections include all known university, federal, state, foundation-based and research collections. The tiers are defined by the estimated number of curated specimens in a collection, not including lots; 1. Tier 1 (> 3 million), 2. Tier 2 (1-3 million), 3. Tier 3 (100,000 to <1 million), and 4. Tier 4 (<100,000). You can toggle the display of tiers (upper right). You can zoom in to identify individual collections. The Size of the circle reflects the tier category.
The map represents the initial step in creating an Index of Arthropod Collections and is based on the Google Sheet that provides statistics for each collection. This List of arthropod collections in North America DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8086/supp-1 was published as a supplement to the PeerJ publication listed below. We expect to integrate collection data directly into the SCAN database in early 2020.
Cobb, N.S., L. Gall, J.M. Zaspel, L.M. McCabe, N.J. Dowdy. and A.Y. Kawahara. 2019. Assessment of North American Arthropod Collections: Prospects and Challenges for Addressing Biodiversity Research. PeerJ DOI 10.7717/peerj.8086.
Background
The Challenge The ADBC program has been transformational in mobilizing specimen-based data in United States arthropod collections, especially the transcription of specimen labels and imaging specimens. Despite the successful engagement of most of the 192 collections in the United States, additional low-cost support structure is required to help ensure sustainability of this effort. An important next step is to create an Index Arthropoda to integrate important information about collections. This will promote collaboration among collections to develop data sets from existing specimens and coordination of Nextgen collection campaigns (Schindel & Cook 2018), as well as develop collaborations with non-collection researchers and citizen science programs. The Index Arthropoda will provide real-time information for all collections that are needed to identify and obtain resources for future projects.
Goals The first goal is to build the Index Arthropoda after the Index Herbariorum, which serves as an ideal model database for a network of collections. We have initiated this process by publishing a List of arthropod collections in North America: Basic information including location, size, digitization effort and website. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8086/supp-1
This table will be expanded with the goal of having it become a full Index of Arthropod Collections. The Index Arthropoda will serve as a source of important information about each collection and will help promote North American collections with a focus on US collections. Over the last four years, we have developed a reliable database on North American collections that will serve as the basis for the Index Arthropoda.
We will expand on this data by including administrative data and any information relevant to sustainability. We will also expand to global coverage, the larger US collections have at least 40% of their specimens from outside North America and nearly all collections have some specimens collected from other continents and typically collaborators as well. Consequently, by making the Index global we will promote important collaborations beyond North America. Second, we will work towards developing a governance structure for the Index Arthropoda that is administered by a committee associated with the Entomological Collections Network. By replicating the functions of Index Herbariorum we can easily create a multi-phyla Index of collections in the future and have received verbal commitments for the creation of a larger “Index” (Barbara Thiers and Joe Cook, pers. Comm.). This will likely lead to an ECN committee collaborating with other groups.
Activities & Products Although Index Arthropoda functionality will generally follow workflows and standards developed by the Index Herbariorum, the IH structure is based on a proprietary software platform (EMu), we will make Index Arthropoda an open source platform to make it easier to develop and maintain. We already have accumulated basic information for 223 North American collections, additionally; we will submit a survey to incorporate additional data to be collected.
- Online database of collections in North America (Released after PeerJ publication)
- Basic public information for collection, including location, geographic and taxonomic extent, personnel, holdings, education-Outreach programs, citizen science projects. and databases.
- Non-Public data on sustainability issues (e.g., funding streams, administrative structure, sustainability plans).
- Allow collections to register and edit their own information and add personnel.
- Clickable map(s) that link to database.
- API connection to summary data from SCAN-GBIF to highlight the strengths of their respective holdings and ongoing field campaigns.
- Expand the Index Arthropoda to include collections outside of North America.
- Create a committee to provide oversight and a listserve for updates.
- Develop multi-phyla index with herbaria and vertebrate collections.
- Explore collaborations within North American countries. We already have direct linkages with most US collections but poorly developed connections with collections in Canada and Mexico.
Cobb, N.S., L. Gall, J.M. Zaspel, L.M. McCabe, N.J. Dowdy. and A.Y. Kawahara. 2019. Assessment of North American Entomology Collections: Prospects and Challenges for Addressing Biodiversity Research. PeerJ DOI 10.7717/peerj.8086.
How to cite the map:
Cobb, N.S., Chessire P., Dunn, E., Evenhuis, N.L.; Fisher, N.; Romero, J., Sierwald, P. (2020). Global Network of Arthropod Collections. https://bug-collections.org/ [Last accessed: date].
