Alfred Russel Wallace and His Collections in the Malay Archipelago, with a Proposal for International Cooperation to Produce a Digital Catalogue

Abstract

During 8 years (1854-1862) spent in the Malay Archipelago, Alfred Russel Wallace's main object was to acquire specimens of `natural history' for his personal collections and for sale to museums and amateur enthusiasts. His final list amounted to 310 specimens of mammals, 8050 birds, 100 reptiles (a group in which he included amphibians), 7500 molluscan shells, 13,100 Lepidoptera, 83,200 Coleoptera and 13,400 other insects, totalling 125,660 ``specimens of natural history{''}. His field records of these collections held by the libraries of the Natural History Museum and the Linnean Society of London have been digitised and are available on line, as is his Journal, a chronological record of his travels from Bali to Buru. As an alternative archive of Wallace's achievement, this paper focuses on the origin and later history of his specimens, their impact on the scientific and naturalist community and their permanent significance in zoological nomenclature. His collecting practices and field skills are examined, along with the contribution of his assistants. His London agent Samuel Stevens played an important role in publicising Wallace's achievements during his travels and, as his specimens arrived, in disposing of duplicates to wealthy buyers, while retaining the best for his personal collection. Many new scientific names were described in lists and catalogs by authors Including, in some instances, Wallace himself. Records are traced to confirm the present whereabouts of specimens that can be located and authenticated. These specimens are still valuable for regional and national policy-making in matters such as nature conservation and species protection, and useful for practical applications, e.g. in integrated pest management. A bold initiative is proposed to make this resource widely available where it is needed by providing digitised images of these specimens and making these available on the web. It is suggested that the Sarawak State government, in co-operation with the Natural History Museum, London, and Oxford University Museum, could take a lead, perhaps through ASEAN scientific cooperation. An exercise to compile and disseminate a comprehensive digitised catalog of Wallace's Archipelago collections, with emphasis on the irreplaceable type specimens, would be a fitting centennial memorial for his indefatigable enterprise. It would also provide an invaluable asset for regional biologists, zoogeographers, conservationists and wildlife managers.