Challenges for the Maintenance and Preservation of Zoological Collections: a Case Study of Mastozoology Collections in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Zoological collections serve as a basis for implementing public policies aimed at conserving natural environments. In Brazil, the majority of institutions that house zoological collections are university institutions, the majority of which have challenging conditions to maintain them as would be ide...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Silva, Regiane Linhares da, Lima, Thabata Tosta, Pessoa, Theo Sá Cavalcanti, Sales, Romenigue José dos Santos
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2024
Country:Brasil
Institution:Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Repository:Khronos
Language:Portuguese
OAI Identifier:oai:revistas.usp.br:article/223181
Online Access:https://revistas.usp.br/khronos/article/view/223181
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:History of Science
Zoological Collections
Collections Maintanance
Collections Preservation
História da Ciência
Coleções Zoológicas
Manutenção de Coleções
Preservação de Coleções
Description
Summary:Zoological collections serve as a basis for implementing public policies aimed at conserving natural environments. In Brazil, the majority of institutions that house zoological collections are university institutions, the majority of which have challenging conditions to maintain them as would be ideal. The present study aims to carry out a survey of the main institutions that have zoological collections in the state of Minas Gerais and, using a questionnaire, understand what are the biggest challenges faced in maintaining the collections. The research was directed to ten institutions. From the points raised, it was observed that, in the 21st century, the lack of financing and attack by pests (e.g., fungi and moths, among others) on preserved materials are the main obstacles to institutions, followed by inadequate physical spaces for storage. of material, lack of professionals and fallen biological material. Based on the above and the data collected by the research, it is suggested that public and/or private financing are extremely important in the conservation of zoological collections in the state of Minas Gerais.