Lost Species: Great Expeditions in the Collections of Natural History Museums

The Lost Species by Christopher Kemp explores the discovery of new species in natural history museums, where specimens have sat quietly for decades, waiting to be identified. Kemp highlights the importance of these collections in showcasing the world's biodiversity and the ongoing struggle to name and protect these species before they are lost to climate change and habitat loss.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 20 November 2020
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

The Thorius salamander, a tiny, lungless creature hailing from southern Mexico, is as thin as a match and smaller than a quarter. The Saki, an arboreal monkey found in the Brazilian rainforests, boasts a lush white coat. Meanwhile, the olinguito, native to the Andes, resembles a combination of a mongoose and a teddy bear. These remarkable species, although recently named and identified, have not been discovered in their natural habitats. Instead, they have been unearthed in the drawers and cavernous basements of natural history museums.

As Christopher Kemp reveals in his book, "The Lost Species," the hidden treasures of natural history museums are waiting to be uncovered. Kemp takes us on a thrilling expedition into the depths of museum basements, where we delve into specimen trays and inspect the drawers and jars of collections. We become scientific detectives, on the hunt for new species.

During our exploration, we discover a plethora of fascinating curiosities. We encounter king crabs from 1906, unidentified tarantulas, mislabeled Himalayan landnails, an unknown rove beetle originally collected by Darwin, and an overlooked squeaker frog, among many others. In each case, these specimens had sat quietly for decades, sometimes longer than a century, within the collections of museums, before sharp-eyed scientists recognized their uniqueness.

It is disheartening to note that each year, scientists continue to encounter new species in museum collections, serving as a stark reminder that we have only named a fraction of the world's biodiversity. Unfortunately, some specimens have waited so long to be named that they have disappeared from the wild before they were identified, victims of climate change and habitat loss. Kemp's book highlights the enduring importance of these collections, showcasing the stories of discovery that lie within them.

"The Lost Species" provides detailed information about each creature, from the latest scientific discoveries to the individuals who collected them and the scientists who identified them. The book also delves into the challenges faced by scientists in their quest to uncover new species, including the need for more funding, resources, and collaboration.

Through the stories of these remarkable creatures and the efforts of scientists and collectors, "The Lost Species" sheds light on the vastness and diversity of our natural world. It reminds us of the importance of preserving and protecting biodiversity, as well as the countless discoveries that still await us in the hidden corners of natural history museums.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226513706