SDNHM Specimen Collection Project

Work to be done (a work in progress)

• 1. Clean up the list of species
  • a. Correct the spelling. Use Arora index as the authority.
  • b. Remove useless entries (like sp.)
  • c. Identify synonyms with a reference to the "main" entry (per Arora).
  • d. Fill in family name on each entry.
  • e. Provide the list to SDNHM to build their name table.
  • f. Expand the list with additional reference information for posting on web site.
• 2. Make a list of the data elements to be included in the two database tables: Specimens and Observations.
  • a. Decide on a list(s)
  • b. For each data element, provide an explanation and/or a list of allowed values.
  • c. Make a list of the data elements that should be printed on the specimen labels.
  • d. Edit the "Cheat Sheet" to include the elements and explanations.
  • e. Create a paper form for collecting data in the field.
• 3. Make Decisions on collecting and reporting
  • a. Who will do the "official" identifications?
  • b. Who will enter data in the SDNHM database?
  • c. Who will be in charge of preparing specimens and delivering to SDNHM?
  • d. How will the specimens be packaged for storage?
• 4. Prepare materials for training and supporting collecters
  • a. Instructions for collecting specimens.
  • b. Instructions for collecting data, including use of the form (see 2.d).
  • c. Instructions for drying and packaging specimens and spore prints.
  • d. Instructions for documentary photography.
  • e. Instructions for entering data in the SDNHM database, including the "cheat sheet" (2.c).

Discussion

This work plan is only a starting point. Top priority has been given to tasks that must be done before the museum can build their database, so that they can get started. The tasks under 1 a to e and 2 a to c above must be done before the database can be designed.

Many hands make light work. Help! Many of the tasks can be done by one person, and brought to a meeting for approval by the group. Your participation will help us to get all of this done before another season goes by.

I am working on a master species list. It will be used to create a name table, so that the database entry form can include "pull-down" lists of family, genus, and species names. The initial list was created by combining species lists from past fairs and forays. The obvious spelling errors have been weeded out, but the whole list needs to be checked against Arora.

I could use some help in looking up the family name for each genus. It would also be useful to have the higher levels of the taxonomy filled in, to make a reference table for posting on the web site (Kingdom, Division, Subdivision, Class, and Order)

For the plant atlas, the SDNHM database only includes entries that are associated with a specimen in the collection. At our last meeting, we decided to ask the museum to allow two types of records: entries associated with specimens, and entries for observations not supported by a specimen. This would allow us to collect more information about distribution without overloading the specimen collection. Since mushroom specimens cannot be pressed flat like plant specimens, it is probably not practical to house a specimen from every grid square where a species is found. Our feeling is that a few specimens of each species will be adequate for future scientific study. We will make an exception for "unusual" finds, such as species found outside their "normal" habitat, like a woodland mushroom found growing in the desert. These may represent unknown species, or may extend the knowledge about known species.

Collecting information on observations raises one sensitive issue. For most species, we would all be happy to share location information with the public. However, for a few species (the choice edibles) there may be a reluctance to place all locations in a publicly available data base. We should discuss this and decide on an approach.