New digital images of the fish collections of Carl Linnaeus launched online

The distinguished 18th century Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) developed the binomial or two-name system for scientifically describing plants and animals, including fishes, that we are all familiar with today.  It provides the fundamental framework for knowledge of the biota of the Earth, supporting effective conservation measures and the sustainable use of biodiversity.

The Linnean Society holds 168 of Linnaeus's original fish specimens in their Collection Store. The collection constitutes a scientific and historical reference of extraordinary value, containing many type specimens named by Linnaeus including the John Dory or Apostle fish Zeus faber Linnaeus. This unique heritage collection has now been fully documented and The Linnean Society is launching the digitised images and other data online, making this resource globally available.  Each specimen has been digitally photographed by specialists at London’s Natural History Museum, resulting in images of superb quality.  Access to the system is through the Linnean Society website and can be found at www.linnean.org under ‘Linnaean Collections Online’. Specimens of a further 85 fish species are held in the collections of Uppsala University.

The realisation of this project has been made possible by the generous funding support of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, a Honorary Fellow of the Society, whose achievements in Japanese ichthyology include his work on the taxonomy of gobioid fishes; together with The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, and the Fellowship of the Linnean Society through the Linnaean Tercentenary Appeal Fund.

The supporting descriptive data, extracted from a paper written by Mr Alwyne Wheeler FLS in 1985 by Ms Kathie Way of The Natural History Museum, London, Honorary Curator of the Society’s Linnaean Zoological Collections and Ms Julia Bruce FLS has been integrated into the Society’s Repository, developed and hosted by the University of London Computer Centre (ULCC).

In 1758, Linnaeus published the 10th edition of the Systema Naturae, the recognised starting point for biological classification.  He first focused on fishes well-known in Europe and which would have been commonly encountered in Swedish waters such as the Atlantic eel Anguilla anguilla, perch Perca fluviatilis, salmon Salmo salar and brown trout Salmo trutta. He also included ichthyological findings from expeditions made to distant lands by his students or ‘apostles’ including Daniel Solander, Fredrick Hasselqvist, Pehr Osbeck, Per Löfling and Pehr Forsskål. Linnaeus’ fullest account of fishes was in the 12th edition of the Systema Naturae (1766-67). His names have stood the test of time and, considering fishes from the current British freshwater list alone, a remarkable 41 out of 57 (or 72%) are Linnaean species.

Linnaeus observed fishes when travelling around Sweden and is thought to have directly collected 49 of the extant 168 London specimens, assiduously writing up his findings in many published accounts. The material comprises mostly dried half skins incorporating one-half of the head skeleton, but also includes some whole specimens.

Professor Gordon McGregor Reid, Past President of the Linnean Society and Chair of the IUCN/Wetlands International Freshwater Fish Specialist Group comments: “Using the Linnaean system of classification as a model, more than 27,000 different species of fish are now scientifically recognised. About 300 new species are described each year, suggesting an eventual total list in excess of 35,000 species.  Alarmingly, some 33% of fishes assessed for the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species are considered to be at risk of extinction.  For example, the once common European eel (Anguilla anguilla) of Linnaeus, 1758, is now assessed as Critically Endangered. This species is threatened by overexploitation, by an introduced parasite and by dams which block migration routes. It is estimated that there has been an eel population loss of over 80% in the past three generations (60 years) based in part on a massive decline in juvenile recruitment (more than 95% reduction in 24 years). This is reflected in a catastrophic drop of 76% in the commercial eel catch between 1968 and 2005. Rates of species extinction are increasing among all fishes.

The great majority of well-studied fish species, including commercially important fish stocks, are declining in distribution or abundance or both. The global fisheries are greatly depleted, with 75% of fish stocks fully exploited or overexploited. Nonetheless, the annual world fish catch is valued at more than US$58 billion.  From Linnaeus’s time to the present day, scientific names and descriptions constitute the vital first step in beginning to understand the biology of fishes and how to sustainably manage this incredibly important global resource.”

The Linnean Society is guardian of the priceless collections of specimens, manuscripts and letters of Linnaeus and is creating a digital archive of over 12 Terabytes of unique material relating to its historic collections, enabling full global access. Inspection of the collections for research purposes has only previously been possible to those who are able to travel to the Society’s rooms in London, where they are stored.  The 14,300 Linnean plant specimen database was launched online in 2007, succeeded by the first database of the insect collections (butterflies and moths) launched for National Insect week in June 2008.  These data are now being accessed from over 45 countries worldwide, providing a key resource for taxonomic research.  The Linnaean Correspondence of over 4,000 letters from 600 correspondents worldwide is also available.

The President of the Linnean Society, Professor David Cutler, says that “the Society’s digital archive project is particularly important because it provides access to these unique collections to those working in taxonomy in developing countries, and distant parts of the world who might not otherwise be able to see them. The image quality is such that few will need to handle the priceless specimens to obtain the information they seek”.

For more information and photos or to arrange interviews, please contact Elaine Shaughnessy, Head of Development, Linnean Society of London or Kate Longhurst, Communications Manager on 020 7434 4479.   www.linnean.org

Image: Hippocampus hippocampus, the short snouted sea horse, from the Linnaean Collection.

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View the collection online

Notes for Editors:

The Linnean Society of London is the world’s oldest active biological society. Founded in 1788, the Society takes its name from the great Swedish naturalist, Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) who developed the system of binominal nomenclature. This system today provides the fundamental framework for knowledge of the biota of the Earth, supporting effective conservation measures and the sustainable use of biodiversity. The Society is the custodian of Linnaeus’ original library and collections and is creating a digital archive, enabling full global access. It encourages and communicates scientific advances through its three world-class journals, open meetings and website. The Society’s Fellowship is international and its Fellows are drawn from all walks of life including professional scientists and amateur naturalists. The Society welcomes anyone interested in natural history, in all its forms. www.linnean.org.

A full account of “Linnaeus’ fishes, past present and future” by Professor Gordon McGregor Reid PPLS is given in The Linnaean Collections, B. Gardiner & M. Morris (eds), The Linnean Special Issue No 7, pp. 75-84).

http://www.linnean.org/index.php?id=103

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