Database of animal specimens from polar regions

The Division of Biological Collection at the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) has been taking care of biological specimens collected by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions (JAREs) and through other research activities in Arctic and Antarctic regions. The collection has been loaned for scientific researches and exhibitions at museums etc. for public education. Moss specimens in the collection were registered at a herbaria, coded as "NIPR" and animal specimens were catalogued in a publication (National Institute of Polar Research, 1987) for scientific or educational users. To make better use of the animal specimens, about 500 items at present, we set up a database which can be searched for appropriate specimens through images of each items for any particular purposes, scientific or educational. We hope this database will help increase understanding of the animals living in polar regions. Even though the collection includes unidentified specimens or those with incomplete data, we would like to improve the collection with cooperation of related research fellows.