2ND SURVEY OF FISH COLLECTIONS IN THE UNITED-STATES AND CANADA

A second survey of fish collections in the United States and Canada conducted by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists reveals holdings of about 63.7 million specimens in the 118 collections responding to the survey. Subsequent to the first survey (Collette and Lachner, 1976), there have been significant differences in growth rates among collections and a notable increase in the computerization of collections related information. The quality of curation has measurably improved. Special collections, most notably larval collections, have greatly increased in size. Three-fourths of the collections now report that they can be used to document environmental changes, with holdings of extinct and endangered species and hybrids increased among collections. There has been a marked decline in personnel associated with collections. Continued loss of trained curatorial personnel will likely adversely impact the long-term maintenance of existing archival collections. A reduction in the number of scientists engaged in collections-based research and education will probably impede efforts to study and preserve biodiversity. Results of both surveys emphasize the importance of maintaining accurate information about collections. Further joint data sharing among collections personnel may be effective in meeting challenges faced by managers and users of collections.