Databases and Colections

Biological collections are traditionally seen as repositories of organisms or parts of them, but in a broader sense, they represent a cumulative body of knowledge generated over time, offering a comprehensive geographic and temporal overview. Their importance lies in the fact that they are a source of biodiversity documentation and conservation, scientific research and reference, environmental change monitoring, genetic material sources, and environmental education.

As of 2025, the Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC, CONICET-UNMdP/FCEyN) has 9 established biological collections, including Decapoda (Arthropoda); Crustacea (Arthropoda); Cirripedia (Arthropoda); 2 fish collections (marine, estuarine, and freshwater); Anthozoa (Cnidaria); Medusozoa (Cnidaria); Polychaeta (Annelida); Vascular plants, Algae, and Bryophytes, with coverage at local, regional, and national levels, reflecting the specialization of IIMyC's research groups. The first collection was established in 1970 with vascular plants, and the most recent, the polychaete collection, was formed in 2022. Currently, many of the collections have their data digitized and published on various international, national, and local portals, such as GBIF, OBIS, RI del CONICET, the IIMyC website, among others.

IIMyC has a coordinating committee whose function is to bring together and coordinate the data loading process for the different collections, guiding them in curation to publish and comply with biodiversity data standards on different portals; formulate loading protocols adapted to each collection; advise on digitization regarding the computer tools used; organize, catalog, label, and store collections for their curation; promote the safeguarding and importance of making collections visible at the institutional and scientific research level, thereby reinforcing the importance of biodiversity conservation and preventing its loss.
Contact: comisioncoleccionesiimyc@gmail.com