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The Bluntschli Histological Collection
Throughout the early and middle parts of the 20th
century, Hans Bluntschli collected a large number of mammalian taxa
from Madagascar and South America. Many of these animals were prepared
histologically and are now housed in the Department of Mammalogy
at the American Museum of Natural History. The bulk of the collection is comprised of over 70
serially sectioned and stained specimens of the cheirogaleid primate
Microcebus. Sections were cut in a number of planes and
the most commonly used stain was Hematoxylin-Eosin. Some of the
specimens are gravid uteri and placentas. There are also over 50
individuals of different ontogenetic stages, ranging in size from
little more than a primitive streak to one adult head. The vast
majority of Microcebus specimens range from 8 to 40 mm
crown-rump length (CRL). Also among the histologically prepared
primates are 1-3 specimens each of Saimiri, Cebus,
Aotus, Saguinus, Avahi, and the sectioned
limbs of a tarsier. There are also several histologically prepared tenrecid
insectivorans in the collection, including embryos and maternal
genital tracts of Tenrec, Setifer, and Hemicentetes.
The sectioned embryos range in size from 20-24 mm CRL (and a neonatal
head) in Tenrec; 5-13 mm CRL in Hemicentetes;
and 15-26 CRL in Setifer. In addition, the collection contains numerous pickled,
unsectioned specimens of primates, lipotyphlans, and a smaller number
of carnivorans (e.g., Fossa), edentates (e.g., Bradypus),
and other mammals. The Deparment has a binocular platform microscope
to facilitate use of this collection. Photography or other means
of accessing these histological data must be arranged in advance. |
