Scientific Methods of Geological and Paleontological Collections and Trends in Paleontological Investigation and Research

Abstract

This book is devoted to 250 years of collecting, organizing and preserving paleontological specimens by generations of scientists. Paleontological collections are a huge resource for modern research and should be available for national and international scientists and institutions, as well as prospective public and private customers. These collections are an important part of the scientific enterprise, supporting research, public education, and the documentation of past biodiversity. Much of what we are beginning to understand about our world, we owe to the collection, preservation, and ongoing study of natural specimens. Properly preserved collections of fossil marine or terrestrial plants and animals are archives of Earth's history and vital to our ability to learn about our place in its future. The approach employed by the editors involves not only an introduction to the paleontological collections in general, but also information on the international and national collection networks. Particular attention is given to new exhibition concepts and approaches of sorting, preserving and researching in paleontological collections and also their neglect and/or threat. In addition, the book provides information on all big public museums, on important state museums and regional Museums, and also on university collections. This is a highly informative and carefully presented book, providing scientific insight for readers with an interest in fossil record, biodiversity, taxonomy, or evolution, as well as natural history collections at large. Intro; Archives of Earth's History: An Introduction; Contents; Chapter 1: Research and Open Questions-A Modern Concept Behind Berlins T. rex Presentation of Tristan Otto; 1.1 General Information; 1.2 Introduction; 1.3 Paleontological Objects in Exhibitions; 1.4 Would You Like to Have a T. rex?; 1.5 The Concept Behind the T. rex Show; References; Chapter 2: Scientific Methods of Geological and Paleontological Collections and Trends in Paleontological Investigation and Research; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 Methods of Preparation and Preservation; 2.3 Spatial Visualization of Fossils 2.4 Laser 3D-Scans, 3D Prints and Their Applicability2.5 Processing of Data /Analysis; 2.6 Data Storing; References; Chapter 3: Bamberg: The Paleontological Collection at the Museum of Natural History in Bamberg (NKMB); 3.1 History; 3.2 The Collection Takes on a Regional Focus; 3.3 Current Focus: The Wattendorf Plattenkalk; References; Chapter 4: BASEL: The Natural History Museum Basel (NMB); 4.1 Introduction: History Infrastructure Current Research Teaching and Didactic Outreach; 4.2 The Collection of Microfossils, Fossil Plants and Invertebrates; 4.2.1 Reference Collections 4.2.2 Historical Collections4.2.3 Systematic Collection; 4.2.4 Regional Collections; 4.2.5 Micropaleontological Collections; 4.2.6 Special Collections; 4.3 The Collection of Fossil Vertebrates; 4.3.1 The Collection of Fossil Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds; 4.3.2 The Collection of Fossil Mammals; 4.3.3 "Bone Alphabet"; References; Chapter 5: BERLIN: The Palaeontological Collections of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin; 5.1 Introduction; 5.1.1 History of the Collections; 5.1.2 General Information; 5.1.2.1 Acquisitions; 5.1.2.2 Access; 5.1.2.3 Loan; 5.1.2.4 Collection-Based Research 5.2 The Collections of Fossil Invertebrates5.2.1 General Information; 5.2.2 The Particular Fossil Invertebrate Collections; 5.3 The Collection of Fossil Vertebrates; 5.3.1 General Information; 5.3.2 The Particular Fossil Vertebrate Collections; 5.3.2.1 Fossil Fishes; 5.3.2.2 Fossil Amphibians; 5.3.2.3 Fossil Reptiles (Including Tetrapod Ichnofossils); 5.3.2.4 Fossil Birds; 5.3.2.5 Fossil Mammals; 5.3.2.6 Fossil Hominids; 5.3.2.7 Otoliths; 5.3.2.8 Histological Collection; 5.4 The Palaeobotanical Collections; 5.4.1 General Information; 5.4.2 The Particular Palaeobotanical Collections 5.4.2.1 Silicified Wood5.4.2.2 Devonian-Collection; 5.4.2.3 Carboniferous-Collection; 5.4.2.4 Rotliegend-Collection; 5.4.2.5 Triassic-Collection; 5.4.2.6 Cretaceous-Collection; 5.4.2.7 Tertiary-Collection; 5.4.2.8 Pollen, Spores and Cuticules; References; Chapter 6: BERN: The Natural History Museum -- An Institution of the Burgergemeinde of Bern; 6.1 General Information; 6.1.1 A Short History of the Museum; 6.1.2 Present Structure of the NMBE; 6.1.3 Research at the NMBE; 6.2 The Paleontological Collection; 6.2.1 History of the Collection; 6.2.2 Overview of the Present Paleontology Collection