~ Dowload
Roadmap to ARC-PHP Biosystematics ~
The PHP Biosystematics Division comprises four units, namely
the National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, Nematodes and Fungi, which form a
unique centre for applied taxonomic research in southern Africa
As one of the most comprehensive archives of the region’s
biological diversity of arthropods, nematodes and fungi, the specimen
collections and associated biological reference sources of the Division form an
irreplaceable national asset and an invaluable research tool for scientists
working in the fields of agricultural and natural resources management in
southern Africa and further afield
Through the development of these biological reference
sources, and its research on economically and environmentally important groups
of organisms, the Division strives to render comprehensive biosystematic
services in support of applied entomology, arachnology, nematology and
mycology
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The National Collections of Insects, Arachnids, Nematodes and Fungi, which
are among the largest and most well-established collection-based institutions of
their kind in the country, were established within governmental agricultural
departments at different times between 1905 and 1965 in response to a pressing
need for biosystematic information on organisms associated with agriculture and
forestry.
They became part of the Plant Protection Research (ARC-PPRI) when it
was established in 1962 through the amalgamation of the then Divisions of
Entomology and Plant Pathology of the old Department of Agriculture. Finally,
the four collections, which resorted under different divisions in PPRI, were
consolidated into the Biosystematics Division within the Institute with the
inauguration of the Agricultural Research Council in 1992.
BIOSYSTEMATIC SERVICES AND PRODUCTS
Backed by a team of 32 skilled taxonomic specialists and technical support
staff, extensive specimen collections and biological reference sources, the
Division provides comprehensive biosystematic services in entomology,
arachnology, nematology and mycology.
These services and products include:
Identification of specimens
Analyses of plant and soil samples for the detection of plant parasitic
nematodes and mites and phytopathogenic fungi
Provision of pure fungal cultures for research purposes
Information on the taxonomy, biology and biogeography of pests, fungal
pathogens and natural enemies and the provision of taxon-based checklists, some
of which are available in electronic form
Taxonomic investigations and biodiversity surveys and inventories
Technical training in taxonomy and the identification of organisms
Production of identification guides and manuals, taxonomic and biological
catalogues and indices, as well as taxonomic revisions
RESEARCH
The Division’s biosystematic support services are essentially based on its
long-term taxonomic research on economically important groups of organisms, with
the emphasis on the faunas and mycota of the southern African sub-region.
At the National Collection of Insects, the study of
pollinators, phytophagous pests and natural enemies of insects and invasive
plants has been the focus for many years. Groups presently under scrutiny
include parasitic wasps, solitary bees, termites, weevils and leaf-eating
beetles, and hemipterous insects such as scale insects, aphids and
leafhoppers
The emphasis on research at the National Collection of
Arachnids is on phytophagous, predacious and parasitic mites, and various
spider families, especially those that are of importance as predators in
agro-ecosystems
The National Collection of Nematodes is primarily concerned
with the study of plant parasitic nematode groups, such as cyst, root-knot,
dagger, stubby and nematodes
The research focus at the National Collection of Fungi is on
groups of agriculturally important fungi. Groups presently under investigation
include hyphomycetous and ascomycetous pathogens of agricultural crops,
wood-rotting Basidiomycota and rust fungi, as well as Mucorales
In addition to the Division’s research endeavours in the field of pure
taxonomy, it is becoming increasingly involved in multidisciplinary contract
research that requires biosystematic skills and expertise. Recent contributions
include inputs in the fields of forensic entomology, biological control, fungal
pathogenicity, virus vector research and environmental impact assessment.
COLLECTIONS
The Division houses some of the most comprehensive and
valuable specimen collections of southern African insects, arachnids, nematodes
and fungi , with several important collections from other South African
institutes having been incorporated in these holdings over the years. A unique
addition to its specimen holdings is a live fungus culture collection that is
affiliated to the World Federation of Culture Collections
As an internationally recognized depository for scientific
reference material, the collections are particularly rich in type specimens, as
well as voucher material pertaining to both present and past applied
agricultural research in South Africa. Of equal significance is the Divisions’
substantial taxonomic and biological reference sources of literature, catalogues
and specimen label data
In accordance with international trends and its obligations
to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Division has embarked on a
long-term strategy to digitise its holding, thereby making its vast reference
sources more readily accessible to the global community. To this end, several
database projects have been implemented during the past few years with a
considerable amount of invaluable collection-based information already being
accessible in electronic form
____________________________________________
>>> Back to Biosystematics Homepage
