P.I.: Marc Pollet (mpollet.doli@gmail.com; marc.pollet@inbo.be; RBINS)

Host organisations: RBINS, European Distributed Institute of Taxonomy (EDIT), DFG RU-816 

Collaborations: Ministerio del Ambiante (Ecuador), Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja.

Funding agencies: Leopold III fund (www.naturalsciences.be/LIII/NL), Fund for Scientific Research - Flanders (www.fwo.be).

Project design: EC 2009 DNA - project proposal describes the initial set-up of the survey. Most of the original survey objectives were obtained, with only a few modifications due to logistic restrictions. The Fly Times - April 2009 issue (p. 36-51) gives a lively account of the expedition.

Available data and information: Localities, samples and disseminated vials are incorporated into the NEOTROPICS relational database (Pollet, unpubl. data). An overview of samples that were sent to the coordinators can best be searched via taxonomic groups. The NEOTROPICS database also holds the recording results on aerial humidity, temperature and insolation on one occasion.

Final aim is to incorporate the results of all identified specimens into this database in order to study the invertebrate biodiversity beyond taxonomic boundaries.

Samples: the survey produced pan trap, Malaise trap and sweepnet samples collected over a period of 3 weeks (the sweepnet samples are not yet included in this dissemination action). During the processing of the pan trap samples, all invertebrates were pulled out, with some stored separately for study, and nearly all other counted and stored together in one jar per locality.

Dissemination of the samples: for sorted fractions with a high diversity or a large number of samples (e.g. Empididae - Hybotidae, Muscoidea, miscellaneous Diptera Brachycera, Mycethophilidae, remaining Diptera Nematocera, Hymenoptera, Araneae), coordinators were appointed. Their role encompasses (i) the selection of taxonomic experts willing to collaborate, (ii) the further split up of the specimens into more specific taxonomic entities, and (iii) the distribution of these samples.

Results and communication

<  Results of the examination or identification of the specimens are returned to the P.I. preferably by December 31, 2012, and 2 years from receipt of the samples at latest. As mentioned above, this data set will be the basis for a comprehensive paper on the invertebrate biodiversity in the investigated region (co-authorship guaranteed).

<  A 6 monthly state of the art of the activities is considered useful (the P.I. will initiate this process). In case the taxonomic expert no longer intends to study the specimens or if the examination has not started by December 31, 2012, fully labelled vials must be returned to the RBINS.

<  Scientific papers based - in part - on the material concerned refer in the Acknowledgements to the funding agencies, the cooperation between EDIT and the DFG RU-816 (see EC 2009 DNA - project proposal), the collaboration with the Ministerio del Ambiente and the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) (both Ecuador), and the P.I. as facilitator. A pdf file is sent to the P.I., preferably as soon as possible after publication and six months after publication at latest. 

Relevant files

<  EC 2009 DNA - project proposal: initial set-up of survey

<   Fly Times – April 2009 issue: [http://www.uoguelph.ca/nadsfly/News/FlyTimes/issue42.pdf]

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