4/24/12 Burke Museum

Today we met at the Burke museum to discuss strategies for group projects. I am a member of the mosses and lichens on the University of Washington campus group. Together we discussed project methodology and distinctions between mosses and lichens. We determined that lichens represent a symbiotic relationship between fungi and either algae or cyanobacteria. Mosses are sporophyte forming organisms; each sporophyte produces spores and has chlorophyll that allows them to provide nutrients for itself, but remains somewhat dependent. Distinguishing mosses from lichen required some research when we met, but will require even more as we attempt to form a concise and informative website on the topic.
Once we had had sufficient time to meet as a group, we received a tour from the head of ornithology. He discussed the role of a natural history museum and compared it to a library in that it provides biological and historical information necessary for understanding species over space and time.
He described the specimens in the Burke as belonging to an archive encompassing variables in both space and time. He also described the four main types of samples taken that are useful when understanding the natural history of a bird species. These four samples are: study skin specimens, skeletal specimens, spread wing samples, and tissue samples. Study skin specimens are useful for identifying a bird species based on phylogenic traits. It is not useful for determining the size and shape, but it is useful for determining coloring, and other various physical features.
The skeletal specimen is what is useful for determining size and shape. It is also useful for species identification in that similar bones can be compared to determine whether or not a match can be made.
The spread wing sample is useful for determining feather age and molting patterns. The spread wing sample allows for closer analysis of feathers for trend identification in terms of diet and other environmental factors. Changes in the environment can sometimes be reflected in changing feather compositions.
The tissue sample offers insight into the process of identifying patterns in DNA, protein structure, and toxicology within a species over time. In terms of evaluating what genes have become dominant within a species, tissue samples offer significant insight. Also, with observing changes in heredity tissue samples can also be beneficial.
The most fascinating species discussed during this tour was the warbler. When studying warblers over space and time the dynamic between dominant warbler species (Townsend) and inferior species (Hermit), can be observed. The two species breed with one another, but due to the fact that Townsend warblers are dominant and occupy the northern-most region of the pacific northwest while the hermit warblers occupy the southern region of the Pacific Northwest. The hybridization zones are migrating southward as the Hermit warbler is being pushed farther and farther down into its own territory. By observing and analyzing various study skins and mapping where they were retrieved, these migrating hybridization zones could be explained and further analyzed. Explaining these changes in space over time is important because it enables those analyzing warblers to understand changes in genetic make-up within particular regions where such a presence of genetic material could appear deviant in comparison to past genetic trends.
It was fascinating to learn about the ways in which specimens can be preserved and how such specimens can be vital to scientific research of a particular species or ecosystem . This tour enabled me to gain a greater appreciation for the value of natural history and the data that it provides for future utilization and intellectual progress.

Posted on June 3, 2012 12:14 AM by laurars13