“Ever wonder where Mexico’s biodiversity secrets are kept?” I ask. Right here at the Colección ENCB, a treasure trove of zoological specimens. It’s a vital resource for education and research.
The Colección ENCB is part of the Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas. This school belongs to the Instituto Politécnico Nacional IPN. The ENCB plays a key role within this academic institution. It supports the IPN’s mission of education and investigation.
Let’s step inside the Colección ENCB. It was founded in 1955. This makes it one of the oldest and most established collections of its kind. Its primary focus is zoology. The collection’s main content is its many animal specimens.
The Colección ENCB is not just any collection. It is a vast repository of knowledge. Currently, it holds 43225 specimens. Each one tells a story about the animal it represents. All the specimens have been carefully identified. A large portion of the collection is already digitized, with 23225 specimens available digitally. This allows researchers worldwide to access this valuable data. Importantly, all 43225 specimens are available to the public.
The Colección ENCB boasts an impressive taxonomic coverage. It spans the animal kingdom. Specifically, it focuses on the Phylum Chordata and Class Mammalia. Within mammals, several orders are represented including Carnivora, Chiroptera, Cingulata, Lagomorpha, Pilosa, Primates, and Rodentia.
The Colección ENCB also has a wide geographical coverage. It includes specimens from Canada and the United States. The collection also includes specimens from Guatemala. Of course, Mexico is greatly represented. There are specimens from Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Chiapas. Further, there are specimens from Colima, Durango, and Guerrero. Hidalgo, Mexico, and Michoacán de Ocampo are also represented. Specimens come from Oaxaca and Puebla too. San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave add to the diversity. Even Zacatecas is included in the geographical representation.
The Colección ENCB isn’t limited to just one type of collection. It contains accessory collections too. There is a teaching collection with 500 records. There is also a collection of cuticle impressions from 15 species. A skin collection holds 50 records. Finally, there is a collection of transparent hair medulla preparations. It contains 50 records.
The Colección ENCB shows the rich biodiversity of Mexico. It contributes significantly to scientific understanding. This amazing place preserves our natural heritage. The Colección ENCB advances education and research. It truly stands as a vital resource for all.