An Introduction to Zoological Taxonomy and the Collection and Preparation of Zoological Specimens

Abstract

Humans have an innate capacity to create categories and classify them according to particular characteristics. The attributes we refer to things and organisms have served as the basis for developing many classifi cation systems, although taxonomy is the only one used to study biodiversity. Having access to biological diversity it is not a simple task, and investigators must know a series of prerequisites ranging from the collection and preparation of zoological material to their correct storage in scientifi c collections. The variety of collection and preparation methods for animal specimens is almost equal to the diversity of known taxo- nomic groups—although it is possible to consider general methods that can be applied to most taxa that will facilitate access by systematists, taxonomists, and nonspecialists alike to the information contained in those specimens. The objective of the present chapter is to present a short introduction to zoological taxonomy and explain the general methods used in collecting and preparing zoological material, in a man- ner that can be appreciated by nonspecialists. We also wish to provide suffi cient orientation so that zoologi- cal material can be correctly deposited in scientifi c collections and supporting a better use of the information presented in the specimens by researchers from different areas, including ethnobiology