Catalogue of mammal type specimens deposited in the Natural History Museum Thailand

Dome Pratumthong; Amonphong Klaipet

Authors

Dome Pratumthong Ofice of Natural Science Research, National Science Museum, 39, Moo 3, Khlong 5, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
Amonphong Klaipet Ofice of Natural Science Research, National Science Museum, 39, Moo 3, Khlong 5, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand

Keywords:

Natural History Museum Thailand, nomenclature, reference collection, type localities, type specimens

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive and updated catalogue of the mammalian type specimens (four holotypes and 21 paratypes) deposited in the Natural History Museum Thailand (THNHM), National Science Museum. Documenting and maintaining type collections is critical for ensuring zoological nomenclatural stability, providing an immutable reference resource for worldwide taxonomic and systematicstudies,and establishingverified biodiversity databases. This catalogue covers four species belonging to three families: Hipposideros halophyllus Hill and Yenbutra, 1984 (Hipposideridae), Hipposideros lekaguli Thonglongya and Hill, 1974 (Hipposideridae), Megaerops niphanae Yenbutra and Felten, 1983 (Pteropodidae), and Niviventer hinpoon (Marshall, 1976) (Muridae), representing the complete set of mammalian type materials currently housed at THNHM. We present granular data regarding specimen labeling, reference materials, collection periods (spanning 1973 to 1978), geographic coverage (Central, Northeast, and Northern Thailand), and historical collector associations. The methodology involved meticulous examination of physical specimens, cross-referencing with original species descriptions to validate nomenclatural authenticity, and correcting typographical errors against the primary collection databases to preserve historical and scientific accuracy. Ultimately, this unified inventory serves as an essential reference archive supporting future systematic, ecological, and evolutionary research in Southeast Asian mammalogy.

References

Chan-ard, T. and S. Makchai. 2011. Catalogue of type specimens of amphibians and reptiles in the

Hill, J.E. and S. Yenbutra. 1984. A new species of the Hipposideros bicolor group from Thailand. Bulletinof the British Museum of Natural History (Zoology) 47(1): 77–82.

Jeenthong, T., W. Jaitrong and S. Jantra. 2013. Catalogue of Insect Type Specimens in the Natural HistoryMuseum, Thailand. National Science Museum Press, Pathum Thani. 85 pp.

Marshall, J.T. Jr. 1976. Family Muridae, pp. 397–487. In: B. Lekagul and J.A. McNeely (eds.). Mammalsof Thailand. Association for the Conservation of Wildlife. Saha Karn Bhaet Co., Bangkok.

Thonglongya, K. and J.E. Hill. 1974. A new species of Hipposideros (Chiroptera) in Thailand. Mammalia 38: 285–294.

Wilson, D.E., R.A. Mittermeier and T.E. Jr Lacher. 2017. Handbook of the Mammals of the World: Vol.7. Rodents II. Lynx Edicions., Barcelona. 1008 pp.

Wilson, D.E. and R.A. Mittermeier. 2019. Handbook of the Mammals of the World: Vol. 9. Bats. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. 1008 pp.

Yenbutra, S. and H. Felten. 1983. A new species of the fruit bat genus Megaerops from SE-Asia (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Pteropodidae). Senckenbergiana Biologica 64(1/3): 1–11.