The pattern of color change in small mammal museum specimens: is it independent of storage histories given museum-specific conditions?

Abstract

ObjectiveDetermination of color and evaluating its variation form the basis for a broad range of research questions. For studies on taxonomy, systematics, etc., resorting to mammal specimens in museum collections has a number of advantages over using field specimens. However, if museum specimens are to be for studying color, they should accurately represent the color of live animals, or we should understand how they differ. Basically, this study addresses this question: How does coat color vary when dealing with specimens of Akodon budini (Budin’s grass mouse, Thomas 1918), stored in one museum collection for different periods of time?ResultsWe measured color values through a spectroradiometer and a diffuse illumination cabin and used the reflectance values in the form of CIELab tri-stimulus values, considering CIE standard illuminant A. We observed that there is a relationship between specimen storage antiquity and pelage color and it seems that it is general for at least a number of small mammals and this could indicate a universal phenomenon across several mammal species and across several storage conditions. Our results, as others, emphasize the importance of considering storage time, among other circumstances, in research studies using mammal skins and where color is of importance.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3544-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Review of three neglected species of Ctenomys (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) from Argentina

“…Although in general the differences in the coloration of the specimens examined are not pronounced, it is important to note that Sandoval Salinas et al (2018) proposed that there is variability in the coloration of skins deposited in museums, especially between specimens that were recently collected and those that have been deposited in collections for a long time.…”

Seasonal pelage color change of two sympatric arboreal squirrel species in the subarctic region

“…Pelage color of older small mammal specimens is more reddish or yellowish than that of younger specimens (Davis & Castleberry 2010;Davis et al 2013;Sandoval et al 2018). Taking the effect into consideration, our specimens and materials were collected from 1906 to 2017, showing various storage times (Appendix 1).…”