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New York Zoological Society. Department of Tropical Research. Terrestrial expeditions. British Guiana and Venezuela records

 Fonds
Identifier: 1005B

Scope and Content

This collection consists of field notes, systematic lists of faunas, summaries, references, and some drawings. The bulk of the material documents work done at Kartabo; chiefly represented are field and anatomical data on more than 400 species of birds, and research and manuscript materials on the fishes of Kartabo. Other subjects include the ecology and invertebrates of Kartabo and amphibians, reptiles, and mammals observed in British Guiana and Venezuela.

Dates

  • 1916 - 1924

Creator

Access Restrictions

Please contact the WCS Archives regarding possible access restrictions.

Usage Restrictions

Please contact the WCS Archives regarding possible usage restrictions.

Historical

Between 1916 and 1924, the New York Zoological Society sponsored six expeditions to research stations near the Mazaruni River in British Guiana. Under the direction of William Beebe, work began at "Kalacoon House" on the Hills Rubber Plantation in 1916, continued within the boundaries of H. M. Penal Settlement during 1917, and moved upriver to Kartabo in 1919. During the 1919 expedition, additional work was undertaken at Guanoco, Venezuela, and, in 1942, the researchers opened a field station at Caripito, Venezuela. Data gathered at these sites were the basis of both discrete and comparative studies on faunas.



Staff researchers, artists, and visiting scientists conducted intensive ecological studies of the quarter square mile of jungle surrounding Kartabo throughout 1924.



The personnel included Beebe, Isabel Cooper, Alfred Emerson, G. Inness Hartley, Paul G. Howes, Clifford Pope, Ruth Rose, Mabel Satterlee, Helen Damrosch Tee-Van, and John Tee-Van. The staff at Caripito was comprised of Beebe, Jocelyn Crane, Henry Fleming, and George Swanson.

Extent

4.8 Linear Feet (12 Hollinger boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

These records document ecological studies undertaken by the Department of Tropical Research in British Guiana and Venezuela between 1916 and 1924. Chiefly represented are field and anatomical data on more than 400 species of birds, and research and manuscript materials on the fishes of Kartabo, British Guiana. Additional records document the ecology and invertebrates of Kartabo and amphibians, reptiles, and mammals observed in British Guiana and Venezuela.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in nine series:

Series 1
General ecology
Series 2
Invertebrates
Series 3
Fishes of Kartabo
Series 4
Amphibia
Series 5
Amphibia and reptiles
Series 6
Birds general
Series 8
Kartabo birds anatomy
Series 9
British Guiana mammals
Series 7
Birds data

Acquisition Information

Internal transfer.

Title
Guide to the records of the New York Zoological Society Department of Tropical Research British Guiana and Venezuela terrestrial expeditions, 1916-1924
Status
Published
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Wildlife Conservation Society Archives Repository

Contact:
WCS Library/Archives
2300 Southern Blvd
Bronx New York 10460 United States