Stable isotope data indicate origins of mislabelled historical bird specimens Article Swipe

PDF

Related Concepts

No concepts available.

Rafael Dantas Lima , Ana Beatriz Navarro , Jason Newton , Alexander Charles Lees , Luís Fábio Silveira ·

YOU? · · 2025 · Open Access · · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.70001 · OA: W4415153958

Natural history specimens provide valuable insights across diverse research fields, but those needing more accurate metadata have limited scientific value. We applied stable isotope analysis to investigate the origin of 19 th century Atlantic Forest bird specimens attributed to the northeastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco, which are the only records for certain species in a highly threatened biodiversity hotspot. Carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotope analyses indicate that these specimens were collected in Amazonia, not the Atlantic Forest. Stable isotope analysis is a promising tool for verifying specimen origins, enhancing their scientific value and resolving biogeographical questions.