For Immediate Release Contact: Greg Borzo (312) 665-7100 gborzo@fieldmuseum.org 19th century museum specimens help plan reintroduction of endangered tiger beetle Field Museum/American Museum of Natural History research described in Molecular Ecology CHICAGO—When conservation biologists decide how to protect an endangered animal or reintroduce one to an area from which it has disappeared, they consider many factors, such as how many genetically distinct populations are involved, where they came from, and who their ancestors were. But the very problem such scientists are trying to address – the animal’s disappearance – makes it hard to answer these questions. Examining the DNA of museum specimens, however, can fill information gaps caused by the lack of living animals in key locations. This is what two scientists have done to help guide the reintroduction of the Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle into areas from which it has been wiped out by human activity. “We have aimed the 21st century technology of DNA sequencing at museum specimens from the 19th and 20th centuries to address current conservation issues,” said Paul Goldstein, PhD, an insect curator at the Field Museum. Dr. Goldstein and co-author Rob DeSalle, PhD, of the American Museum of Natural History discuss their work in a paper published in next month’s issue (July) of Molecular Ecology. Continue>>