RIDURRE IL GAP NELLO STUDIO DELLE COLLEZIONI DEI MUSEI ITALIANI DI STORIA NATURALE: IL CASO DEI PORIFERA E CNIDARIA DI TORINO

BRIDGING THE GAP IN THE STUDY OF ITALIAN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS COLLECTIONS: THE CASE OF PORIFERA AND CNIDARIA OF TURIN

Abstract

The phyla Porifera and Cnidaria represent two of the oldest extant groups of Metazoa. Despite three centuries of research, described species of both groups represent only a fraction of those believed to exist today. Natural history museums play a crucial role, as their collections, both historical and recent, provide valuable data for advancing scientific knowledge. This ongoing project involves collaboration between the Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali di Torino (MRSN) and the University of Genoa to update information and classifications of historical collections of Porifera and Cnidaria, held by the University of Turin and now housed at MRSN. These collections include over 250 Porifera and 650 Cnidaria specimens, preserved dry and in liquid. The project focuses on assessing conservation status, revising associated data, and updating taxonomic classifications, with the goal of creating and publishing updated catalogs to support future research and biodiversity conservation.