MMS Press Release

The NewsRoom
Release: #4042
Date: October 7, 2009

MMS and Smithsonian Discuss 30 Years of Archiving Marine Invertebrates

Approximately 300 New Species of Marine Invertebrates Collected and Identified

WASHINGTON— The Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History held a lecture today at the U.S. Department of the Interior Museum to discuss the collaborative project of archiving invertebrate species. MMS Director Liz Birnbaum and National Museum of Natural History Associate Director, Dr. Hans-Dieter Sues announced that since 1979, approximately 300 new species of marine invertebrates have been collected and identified as a result of MMS environmental studies.

The lecture began with MMS Director Liz Birnbaum providing the opening remarks along with National Museum of Natural History Associate Director, Dr. Hans-Dieter Sues, who introduced the project. MMS Environmental Sciences Biological Oceanographer Greg Boland, discussed the collection process and the obstacles that arise when removing specimens from great ocean depths. The Smithsonian Institution Department of Invertebrate Zoology Collection Manager, Cheryl Bright, described the Smithsonian and MMS collaborative archiving project, including her role in receiving specimens, curating, and making specimens available to scientists from around the world.

“We are proud of the robust environmental studies program at MMS, which continues to play an important role in our mission,” said Director Liz Birnbaum. “The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has been a great partner in helping to archive the approximately 300 new species of marine invertebrates discovered and the thousands of others collected by MMS scientists.”

“The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is the nation’s most respected repository for biological collections,” said Associate Director Dr. Hans-Dieter Sues. “Interior’s marine invertebrate archiving program with the Smithsonian began in 1979, with this year marking the 30th anniversary of this important partnership.”

Scientists working at the Interior Department in the late 1970’s recognized that the extensive biological samples collected during environmental studies were not only invaluable to the relevant studies, but also to science in general. In collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, a system was established for archiving these specimens to preserve them for additional research. MMS has continued to work closely with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History to preserve scientific knowledge for future use.

Media Contact:
Leann Bullin, (703) 787-1755

MMS: Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for America
U.S. Department of the Interior

Last Updated: 10/07/2009, 03:43 PM Central Time