The crustacean collection at the National Institute of Mata Atlântica (INMA), former Professor Mello Leitão Biology Museum (MBML)

Abstract

Zoological collections are fundamental repositories of biodiversity and have an important role in scientific dissemination. The National Institute of Mata Atlântica (INMA, previously called Professor Mello Leitão Biology Museum) founded by Augusto Ruschi is situated in Santa Teresa, Espírito Santo, Brazil, within the Atlantic Forest Biome, being a relevant source for the development of research in this habitat. The aim herein is to inventory the crustacean collection of INMA with a complete list of the species and their habitat. This collection is not yet digitized or available online. The collection totals 52 species in 41 genera, belonging to 26 families and comprises major crustacean groups, with a particular focus on Decapoda. All holdings are from Brazil. It consists of 443 specimens included in 131 records, representing mostly the Espírito Santo carcinofauna. Without online publication of the specimen data, the visibility and use of the collection would likely remain limited. Sourcing specimens through online databases will facilitate the production of guides and taxonomic training, and also more information can be passed on to the community as a whole. Thus, a proposal for future management of the Crustacea collection of INMA is to digitize the data through photos of the specimens and associated labels.