Scorpion Systematics Research Group

Lorenzo Prendini’s Scorpion Systematics Research Group works closely with the groups of AMNH Curators Ward Wheeler, Mark Siddall, and Rob DeSalle. The group has access to the parallel virtual supercomputer clusters, developed by Ward Wheeler, the Invertebrate Zoology Histological Laboratory, the GIS Laboratory of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, the Microscopy and Imaging Facility, and the AMNH Library. Other services and facilities of the AMNH are also available.

The AMNH parallel virtual supercomputer cluster, designed especially for phylogenetic analysis of genomic data, comprises 560 Pentium III processors (432 Gflop peak performance). Built with ‘off-the-shelf’ components, it is the fastest parallel computing cluster installed in an evolutionary biology laboratory and one of the fastest in a non-defense environment. Its size is presently being doubled and its capacity tripled. An AMNH staff member attends to the upkeep of the cluster, technical assistance and training of users.

The Histological Laboratory of the Division of Invertebrate Zoology is fully equipped for anatomical work. It includes automated embedding facilities, paraffin and plastic serial thick and semi-thin sectioning equipment (including microtome, glass knife maker, etc.) as well as standard laboratory equipment. If required for the analysis of histological slides, 3-D reconstruction software and digitizing hardware are available.

The staff of the Division of Invertebrate Zoology includes Steve Thurston, a scientific illustrator, proficient in graphical software techniques as well as traditional scientific illustration.

A Remote Sensing and GIS laboratory, with UNIX workstations, digitizers and site licences for ArcView GIS, ARC/INFO, and ArcUSA, is available at the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC). The CBC has also produced a website to promote the use of remotely sensed imagery (such as satellite imagery and aerial photography). The site provides remote sensing guides to locate, download, and view satellite imagery; material and information for remote sensing training courses and workshops offered by the CBC and other organizations; interactive tools to illustrate fundamental remote sensing concepts; and links to an array of remote sensing information available on the Internet.

The AMNH Microscopy and Imaging Facility has a state-of-the-art Hitachi Scanning Electron Microscope, including all peripherals (e.g. critical point dryer, sputter coater and darkroom). The SEM is equipped for standard photography, as well as electronic image capture and handling. The facility is also equipped with a Zeiss ConFocal Laser Scanning Microscope for 3-D reconstruction. X-ray microanalysis (EDS) and cathodoluminescence techniques are also available. Two AMNH staff members, Angela Klaus and Jakob Mey, are devoted exclusively to upkeep of the facility, technical assistance and training of users.

The AMNH Research Library maintains and develops a collection of 450,000 volumes of books and bound journals, as well as electronic and microform materials essential to the scientific, exhibition and educational missions of the AMNH. The library currently receives more than 4,360 journals from sources worldwide. The library is one of the best in the USA for biosystematic studies and contains a range of periodicals relevant to systematics and phylogenetics in general, as well as journals relevant to taxonomic groups under study by AMNH researchers. The library also contains an extensive collection of old literature, essential for nomenclatural purposes. AMNH staff, visiting researchers, postdoctoral fellows, students, and volunteers have ready access to the library collections and to varied services offered by library staff, from reference and bibliographic assistance to interlibrary loans.

The AMNH publishes several peer-reviewed journals, two of which (American Museum Novitates and Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, for short papers and monographs, respectively) are world-renowned fora for the publication of empirical research in Systematics. Further information is available at the Office of Scientific Publications website.

The SWRS is a biological field station owned and operated by the AMNH. Since 1955, it has served biologists, geologists, and anthropologists interested in studying the diverse environments and biota of the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona. The Station welcomes scientists and advanced students from all parts of the USA and abroad to carry out their research projects. Investigators live in comfortable cabins provided with linens and blankets, and take their meals, cafeteria-style, in a common dining room. The main house contains a dining room, library, lounge with fireplace, ping-pong room, and laundry room. Outside is a large swimming pool, volleyball court, and horseshoe pit. The area is laced with trails for hiking and climbing amongst spectacular scenery. The Station is open all year but scientists must cook for themselves from early November through early March. Facilities in the Osborn Memorial Laboratory include library, insect collection, herbarium, vertebrate collections, photography laboratory, etc. Completed in 1992, the Technical Equipment Laboratory provides excellent microscopic facilities, constant temperature chambers, chemical hood, low-temperature freezer, precision balances, centrifuges, etc. Recent additions of outdoor aviary complexes and an Animal Behavior Observatory afford outstanding facilities for ethological and behavioral ecological studies.