š New fossils and modern techniques are updating the story of how our favorite sssslithering reptiles came to be.
āļø Amber Dance: knowmag.org/4cUX0Rl
Photo by Jennifer Winifred Trimble
Ernst Mayr Grant recipient Ian Solon Ito visited MCZ ichthyology to study Hypomasticus, a poorly known South American fish genus in the family Anostomidae. Ian examined specimens collected more than a century ago during the Thayer and Hassler expeditions from habitats that have since deteriorated.
Our Herpetology department just finished rehousing their primary type specimens: 1,800+ jars (nearly 2,700 specimens) moved into a more spaceāefficient and organized setup. The process took three months and provided the bonus benefit of rediscovering dozens of hidden types along the way.