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frog

Phyllomedusa tomopterna, Pastaza Province, Ecuador. Photographed by William W. Lamar.

Data Policy

Most (99%) catalog records of amphibian and reptile specimens in the National Museum of Natural History collection have been captured in digital form; the information included in the catalog records on this web site is a subset of the total data and a guide to our holdings. Retrospective data capture of missing records continues, and new specimens are being added weekly, so users of this web site need to check periodically for updates. While we strive to maintain a current taxonomy in the collection and to verify specimen identifications, outdated names, mistaken identifications, and questionable or incorrect localities occur in our records. Accordingly, we encourage investigators to confirm identifications by examining specimens or data that appear suspicious (e.g., species unknown from that locality) before publishing records. The Division of Amphibians and Reptiles has an extensive file of primary data sources (e.g., field notes, field catalogs, original ledgers, accessions files, etc.), and we would be pleased to assist you in that endeavor.

Terms and Conditions

We ask users of our data to comply with the following terms and conditions:

  • Data are to be used only for purposes of research and education. Commercial use for profit is prohibited without written permission from the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, National Museum of Natural History.
  • Data are for individual researcher's personal use and should not be transferred to a third party.
  • Data in their raw form (including GIS coordinates, specific collecting locality, date of collection, collector, etc.) are not to be incorporated into any publicly available data base (e.g., web site) or distributed via compact disc or hard copy without written permission from the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, National Museum of Natural History.
  • The National Museum of Natural History (USNM is the approved abbreviation for referencing specimens at the National Museum of Natural History) should be explicitly acknowledged in each publication that is based in part or entirely on specimen records or data derived from USNM specimens. We also request that users of our data send a reprint of each paper published or a copy of any book that results from use of USNM specimen data to: A&R Reprint Library, MRC 162, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012. PDF files of reprints should be sent to: WynnA@si.edu.
  • Finally, we request that investigators point out any questionable localities or apparent misidentifications in our records.

General terms and conditions of the NMNH regarding data use can be accessed via the links in the panel to the left.

Researchers can contact our division staff about the availability of additional data in a record, specific specimen-related information, or to request a loan by addressing inquiries to a curator (Kevin de Queiroz, W. Ronald Heyer, Roy W. McDiarmid) or a collection manager (Traci D. Hartsell, Robert P. Reynolds, Addison Wynn). Contact information can be found on the website of the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles.

By following the link to Search the Amphibians and Reptiles Collections Database, I acknowledge reading and agree to the terms and conditions stated above.

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