How Museum Collections Are Splitting Our View of Life on Earth
Imagine trying to solve a giant jigsaw puzzle where the most crucial pieces are locked away in a different country. For many scientists studying local wildlife across much of the world, this isn't a metaphor—it's their daily reality.
A profound "knowledge split" is dividing our understanding of biodiversity, with the most important biological reference materials predominantly housed in wealthy Global North nations, disconnected from their countries of origin 1 2 .
This geographical divide in biological collections has created significant consequences for biodiversity science, particularly in the Global South, where researchers face substantial barriers in studying the official reference specimens for their own native species 1 . Meanwhile, museums in North America and Europe remain "flooded with non-native name bearers" 1 —a situation rooted in historical and socioeconomic factors that continues to shape how we document and understand global species diversity.
While the Global South harbors 81% of reptile species, less than 18% of name-bearing reptile types are housed in Global South collections 1 .
At the heart of this issue are name-bearing types—often called "name bearers"—which serve as the fundamental reference specimens that define a species' identity 1 . Think of them as the official prototype against which all other potential members of a species are compared.
These specimens are irreplaceable in taxonomic research. As the study on fish collections reveals, "the most accurate assessment of certain taxonomically relevant features requires direct examination of the original reference specimen" 1 .
The concentration of these critical biological references has created what researchers call a "knowledge split." For example, while the Global South harbors 81% of reptile species, less than 18% of name-bearing reptile types are housed in Global South collections 1 .
The problem extends beyond reptiles. The research on freshwater and brackish fish species reveals a similar pattern, with name-bearing specimens predominantly housed in Global North museums, separated from their countries of origin 1 . This creates significant barriers for local scientists, conservationists, and educators who need to reference these materials for their work.
To understand the scope and drivers of this biodiversity knowledge split, researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of name-bearing specimens for all freshwater and brackish fish species 1 4 . Their methodology provides a model for quantifying these global disparities:
| Region Category | Name-Bearing Specimens | Native Species Diversity |
|---|---|---|
| Global North | Predominant majority | Minority representation |
| Global South | Less than 18% | 81% (reptiles) |
Source: Adapted from "The hidden biodiversity knowledge split in biological collections" 1
This pattern of knowledge concentration isn't limited to fish specimens. Recent marine exploration initiatives highlight both the vastness of undiscovered biodiversity and the importance of how we manage biological collections.
The Ocean Species Discoveries initiative, for instance, has revealed how many life forms remain to be documented, with researchers recently unveiling 14 new species from ocean depths exceeding 6,000 meters 3 . These include a record-setting mollusk and a carnivorous bivalve, discoveries made possible by advanced imaging technologies and global collaboration 3 .
14 new species discovered from ocean depths exceeding 6,000 meters, including record-setting mollusks and carnivorous bivalves 3 .
Researchers relate the current imbalance in biological collections to historical and socioeconomic factors 1 . The concentration of name bearers in certain countries "reflects historical socioeconomic dynamics," where "a country's economic power has played—and continues to play—a crucial role in shaping the accumulation of biodiversity collections" 1 .
This colonial legacy creates what some researchers describe as both epistemic and ethical biases in our understanding of biodiversity 8 . As Halm and Santana note in their work on debiasing field collection, these patterns can "exclude biological communities important to vulnerable Indigenous and local communities" 8 .
Researchers propose several solutions to address the disparities in biological collections. These include:
Physically returning name-bearing specimens to their countries of origin to restore access for local scientists and institutions 1 .
Fostering collaborative relationships that ensure equitable participation in biodiversity research and fair sharing of benefits 1 .
Addressing systematic biases in where and what we collect, including overcoming barriers to collecting on Indigenous lands 8 .
As the researchers behind the fish collection study emphasize, "a fairer distribution of name bearers is necessary to close biodiversity knowledge gaps" 1 . This is not merely about redistributing specimens but about creating more equitable systems for generating, accessing, and benefiting from biodiversity knowledge.
The hidden knowledge split in biological collections represents more than just an academic concern—it has real implications for how we understand, conserve, and benefit from global biodiversity. As we face unprecedented rates of species extinction, building more equitable and accessible systems for biodiversity science becomes increasingly urgent.
The solutions proposed by researchers—specimen repatriation, improved access protocols, inclusive partnerships, and advanced digitization—offer pathways toward a more collaborative and practical future for taxonomy 1 . By addressing the historical imbalances in how biological knowledge is distributed and accessed, we can create a more inclusive science that better serves both local communities and global conservation efforts.
As we continue to discover new species at an accelerating pace—from the deep sea to tropical forests—how we manage, share, and provide access to the reference materials that define these species will shape our collective ability to understand and protect life on Earth.