November 21, 2009
Weevils of Mona Island published!

Visit http://www.caribbeanahigroup.org/ to learn more about Cocuyo, Solenodon, and Caribbean zoology.

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November 18, 2009
A set of bee specimens, unsorted, and mostly collected by former UPRM students. Click here to access a review of the Puerto Rican Apoidea.

A set of bee specimens, unsorted, and mostly collected by former UPRM students. Click here to access a review of the Puerto Rican Apoidea.

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This week three additional new cabinets were transferred from interim storage into the main work area. Meanwhile, six of the old cabinets went into storage.

This week three additional new cabinets were transferred from interim storage into the main work area. Meanwhile, six of the old cabinets went into storage.

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A typical view of our main collection/work room during the second half of this year.

A typical view of our main collection/work room during the second half of this year.

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A set of old drawers full with beetle specimens that await reallocation.

A set of old drawers full with beetle specimens that await reallocation.

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Thanks to a couple of Santa Fe dehumidifiers, we are averaging around 45% humidity. Fungi and book lice are under control.

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November 16, 2009
We were honored with another high profile visitor this week. On Monday, Dr. Stephen O’Brien of the National Cancer Institute visited our lab to talk about his genomics research and mammals, species concepts, and DNA barcoding.

We were honored with another high profile visitor this week. On Monday, Dr. Stephen O’Brien of the National Cancer Institute visited our lab to talk about his genomics research and mammals, species concepts, and DNA barcoding.

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November 12, 2009

Perelleschus sp. nov. 1 (female)

Perelleschus sp. nov. 1 (female)

Perelleschus sp. nov. 2 (male)

Perelleschus sp. nov. 2 (male)

Juliana and Nico are describing two new species of Perellschus Wibmer & O’Brien from Colombia and Venezuela. Click here to learn more about the unique natural history of these pollinating weevils.

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November 3, 2009
Demonstrating in a humourous way how hard it is to stop being a professor, Dr. Ramos showed Deborah how to improve space management while reorganizing the butterfly holdings. Soon the discussion switched to host plants, speciation, and biogeography.

Demonstrating in a humourous way how hard it is to stop being a professor, Dr. Ramos showed Deborah how to improve space management while reorganizing the butterfly holdings. Soon the discussion switched to host plants, speciation, and biogeography.

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On Tuesday we were visited by Dr. Stuart J. Ramos, Puerto Rican entomologist, biogeographer, and butterfly specialist who maintains ties to the University and its insect collection. Dr. Ramos is always prepared to share his vast knowledge on the natural history of Puerto Rican insects.

On Tuesday we were visited by Dr. Stuart J. Ramos, Puerto Rican entomologist, biogeographer, and butterfly specialist who maintains ties to the University and its insect collection. Dr. Ramos is always prepared to share his vast knowledge on the natural history of Puerto Rican insects.

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October 30, 2009
Student lab meeting on Thursday afternoon. Oh yes, and Lynn Margulis stopped by too.

Student lab meeting on Thursday afternoon. Oh yes, and Lynn Margulis stopped by too.

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October 28, 2009

Adding New Taxa to the Specify 6 Taxon Tree

In many cases the genera and species we are adding to Specify 6 are not included in the original Taxon Tree. Hernán has prepared a simple, step-by-step document that shows how a set of new taxa can be imported into the database.

1. See the step-by-step instructions here.

2. Download the Excel template for importing taxon names here.

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October 26, 2009

Our new Symbol DS 6708 Scanner.

Our new Symbol DS 6708 Scanner.

Here is UPRM-INVCOL specimen # 96.

Here is UPRM-INVCOL specimen # 96.

The scanner reads in the number...

The scanner reads in the number...

...and we can see the record in Specify!

...and we can see the record in Specify!

UPRM-INVCOL 96 = Surinam Cockroach!

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We also have two wooden, old school slide cabinets, each with a capacity for 3000 microscope slides. Lots of space of bug dissections…

We also have two wooden, old school slide cabinets, each with a capacity for 3000 microscope slides. Lots of space of bug dissections…

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We have a new Leica M50 stereomicroscope in the lab. Two new graduate students - Augusto Montoya and Andrés Vélez - will likely initiate their studies at UPRM in January. This equipment will allow more students to conduct high quality studies of insect morphology.

We have a new Leica M50 stereomicroscope in the lab. Two new graduate students - Augusto Montoya and Andrés Vélez - will likely initiate their studies at UPRM in January. This equipment will allow more students to conduct high quality studies of insect morphology.

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