|
Name of institution: H.W. MANTER LABORATORY OF PARASITOLOGY
Address: University of Nebraska State Museum, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Principal Investigator: Scott Lyell Gardner
*RECENT PAST SUPPORT:*
/NSF Grant award DBI-0097019//* : *//$379,007 (2000-2005)./
Project Title: "WORM-WEB: Georeferencing computerized data and linking databases in the Manter Laboratory of Parasitology"
The Manter Laboratory of Parasitology is increasing the ability of researchers to access and utilize the data that are archived in the HWML parasitology collections. Data in the collection was converted from name-based to latitude and longitude based georeferencing via an Internet connection to geographic name servers. This process is now finished with only normal error checking and database updating occurring . At the same time the Bolivia Parasite Collection has been entered into the database “PARASITE” in the HWML and connected remotely to ARCTOS (Museum of Southwestern Biology Mammal Database). More specifically, the project succeeded in several ways.
1) Associating more than 75 percent of the parasite specimens in the HWML PARASITE database with geographic locality both manually and by using “biogeomancer”;
2) Entering the Bolivian Mammal Parasite Collection data in the HWML – and linking databases;
3) Training of one Ph.D. graduate student and four REU students in systematics and museum/collection operation database input and development, and collection management. The REU students also finished the primary work on ecological comparisons of parasite data and helminth structure in Onychomys on the Sevilleta LTER site in New Mexico. These data are being prepared for publication as of this writing;
4) Permanently transferring the Bolivian ectoparasite material from the laboratory of Donald Gettinger at the University of Central Arkansas and processing the collections into climate-controlled, protective slide and vial cases in the HWML;
5) Enabling a start of the process of cataloging the Bolivian ectoparasite specimens into the HWML database.
It is clear that prior NSF support for this collection has significantly enhanced opportunities for education, research, and conservation of specimens for future efforts.
*NSF /Grant award: //DEB-9631295: $250,400 (1996-2001)./
Project Title: "Upgrade of the Collections Facilities of the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology"
**Funds were used to improve the quality of specimen storage and to repair slides and vials, and catalog recently donated (very large) collections in the H.W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology. Funds were used to:
1) Transfer all slide-mounted specimens into new climate controlled cases in the recently expanded specimen room.
2) Repair of more than 7000 slides, many thousand slides are oxidizing and deteriorating due to oxidizing or "crazing" of specimens mounted in PermountTM.
3) Transfer all alcohol or formalin-preserved specimens into new vials and cabinets.
4) Transfer all vials from storage jars into a drawer file-system.
5) Replace old bakelite vial caps with new Teflon coated caps.
6) Accession and catalog the Jean Theodoridés gregarine collection (recently donated to the HWML from France).
7) Catalog the University of Minnesota Parasitology Collection.
8) Catalog the J. Teague Self Parasite Collection (University of Oklahoma).
9) Catalog the recently acquired Bolivian Mammal Parasite Collection.
By making specimens (including images and data) more readily available to the research community, the renovations significantly enhanced opportunities for research as well as conserved specimens for future research endeavors.
Specimens now being collected, prepared, and deposited into the HWML collection of the UNL State Museum are rapidly becoming the research materials and potential sources of genetic diversity of the 21st century as more species are lost due to human-caused destruction of natural habitats. The HWML intends to continue to provide training for new students and research materials to systematists world-wide. With funding from such agencies as the World Bank, NSF, and Conservation International, biologists from around the world are increasing the quantity and quality of studies of global, regional, and local biological diversity. Type and voucher specimens from many of these studies are now being donated to the HWML.
These data are available to the research community via graphical and databases in the HWML. The "vision" of the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology is to allow users to identify and view type specimens of parasites via remote computer with World Wide Web and remote video collection access. This is an ongoing project
|