|
Future challenges and the way forward
As argued above, biosystematic collections are a continuing investment
by society in the effort to understand the natural world. In fact,
biodiversity research is based on sound taxonomic studies which include
knowledge of taxa, their interrelationship, classification, evolution,
past and present distribution, and an understanding of their role in the
distribution of species and of their role in the ecosystem (Nielsen &
West, 1994). Taxonomy thus forms the primary basis for the understanding
of biodiversity as well as providing the answers to the existence of the
variety of living forms.
Demands for taxonomic works are continually increasing in the wake of
the global biodiversity crisis. With the rapid alteration and damage we
inflict on our planet, we are indeed racing against time in our effort to
assess our biota and to save what remains. Today, insects are the least
studied taxonomic group, with the best studied group in descending order
of completeness rated as follows: birds, mammals, flowering plants,
reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes and butterflies (Heywood &
Watson ,1995). The need to increase the scientific identification and
documentation of Malaysian insects is desperately urgent. The enormity of
this task is undoubtedly contributed by the vast number of unnamed insect
species found in our forests and further compounded by a dire shortage of
insect taxonomists in Malaysia.
Table 3 shows the number of taxic groups and formally- trained insect
taxonomists in Malaysia known to the authors. A total of about 17
taxonomists in the entire country is far too small for any substantive
effort to be undertaken to alleviate the problem. Presently, a mere 8 out
of the 29 orders of insects are actively studied by Malaysian
entomologists. In some cases, their works only scratch the surface of the
taxonomic complexities and uncertainties. Unlike in Japan (Yamane, 1997),
the number of amateur entomologists are few in Malaysia while today's
postgraduate students in the biological disciplines are more inclined to
pursue higher degrees in areas of studies that are applied or
market-driven in nature; such as microbiology, biochemistry, molecular
biology and biotechnology.
Insect systematists throughout the world must now recognize the
importance of supporting and strengthening the vital resources on which
they depend, the collections. Collectively, they must demonstrate their
commitment to contribute in the development and growth of the insect
collections in countries where they are originally collected. In this
regard, a national repository in the form of a natural history museum is
much needed in Malaysia. The National Repository Center for insect
collections will be able to coordinate activities relating to insect
collections more effectively. It will develop into an excellent facility
for systematic reference collections of both local and regional
entomological specimens. The Center will house the voucher specimens of
insects collected in the region to serve as the database of their
geographical distribution useful in efforts to monitor changes in
distribution.
The repository will also contain type specimens that will serve as
important materials for comparison in efforts to assign names to
biodiversity components. Other biological information in the form of
permanent records, films of behavioral displays, recordings of insect
vocalizations and evidence of exuviae and casts produced in the world of
insects (eggs: galls, nests etc.) are kept and made accessible for
academic reference or research. Besides serving as permanent records of
insects that once exist or still in existence, the collections can also be
exhibited for public education.
It is obvious that existing entomological collections in Malaysia are
scattered all over the country. Current efforts in documenting and
inventorying our insect diversity are dismal and at the rate we are
progressing, fulfilling our responsibility as stipulated in Agenda 21 may
seem beyond reach. In fact, most of our institutions that house
entomological collections today are struggling to maintain their present
activities due to financial difficulties and dire shortage of technical
personnel such as taxonomists and Para taxonomists. Support for
professional maintenance of existing insect collections is simply
insufficient because of failure on the part of policy makers and top
administrators to fully appreciate the importance of specimen collections
for research and education. Radical and positive changes in attitude and
support must take place at several levels of both State and National
administrations. National and international funding agencies must give
more attention to basic functional support at academic institutions,
especially universities, where taxonomists are available and dedicated to
their role of collecting, inventorying and maintaining the specimens for
long-term benefits.
The use of computers in establishing a world-class Center for
entomological reference can greatly enhance its efficiency and usefulness.
Details of voucher specimens can be entered on a database and information
on individual specimens and their distinguishing characters can be located
by means of bar codes. Machine-readable bar code labels may form the basis
of regional or even national databases of biodiversity. These are vital
resources for the future of biodiversity inventorying and assessment.
There is an impending need for a National Repository Center for insect
collections to coordinate activities relating to insect collections. This
National Center should house systematic reference collections of the local
and regional entomological collections. The center could serve as a
repository of collections and information and initiate activate and
monitor activities relating to the description, documentation and
inventorying insects in the country. Identification of insects can be
greatly facilitated by image-based software packages and software
developed for conventional taxonomic work.
There is a need for some form of networking to be built and
cooperation, formed among those institutions and organizations involved in
the caring of these collections. We can help strengthen our collections
and contribute to the studying of our insect diversity by forming a
national consortium of insect systematic collections or organization
similar to the Association of Systematics Collections (ASC) in North
America. Through this consortium, we can share specimens and expertise as
well as train a new generation of insect taxonomists. Such step will also
optimize the contributions and services of our few local taxonomist in
inventorying our insect biodiversity before more species are pushed to the
brink of extinction. |
