December 4, 2009

Julio Genaro & Orlando Garrido

Julio Genaro & Orlando Garrido

Las Mariposas de Puerto Rico

Las Mariposas de Puerto Rico

Today Drs. Julio Genaro and Orlando Garrido, two specialists of Caribbean insects, visited our collection to present their new book “Las Mariposas de Puerto Rico.” The book is on sale at various local bookstores (or contact me (see e-mail above) for additional information).

November 30, 2009
November 21, 2009
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Perelleschus Wibmer & O’Brien from Colombia and Venezuela. Click here to learn more about the unique natural history of these pollinating weevils.

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.

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.

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.

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. HernĂ¡n 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.

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!