USDA Nematode Collection

USDA Nematode Collection
Established June 1960 By A. Morgan Golden 

 

---

 

 Curator:

Zafar A. Handoo
zafar.handoo@ars.usda.gov

 

 

  

---

 

 

• One of the largest and most valuable nematode collections in existence.
• Over 49,200 permanent slides and vials, with a total repository of nematode specimens reaching several million.
• Including Cobb-Steiner, Thorne, and other valuable collections.
• Nematodes from world-wide sources.

 

---

Uses:

• For taxonomic research and reference purposes by U.S. and foreign scientists
• As permanent repository for type and other specimens
• Provides data on nematodes hosts, occurrence and distribution

One of N. A. Cobb's original slides from 1890 

---

 The Divisions of the USDANC:

 Type Collection
  Designated types of over 1,900 species
 General Collection
  Species from many different hosts and areas
 Mass Collection
  Reservoir for undescribed taxa
 Demonstration Collection
  Shows symptoms and effects of nematodes on hosts
 Gerald Thorne Collection
  6,600 slides, with many original types
 Steiner Mermithid Collection
  Over 3,400 slides, with original types
 Samples Records Division
  Data on all samples and nematodes examined

 

 

 

 

---

The USDANC Database:

• Contains over 49,200 species entries.
• A broad range of data is stored for each specimen, including species, host, origin, collector, date collected and date received.
• All records are searchable and available to the public at this address:
  https://nt.ars-grin.gov/nematodes/search.cfm

   

 

---

 

Loans and Deposition:

 

• Specimens are avalable for loan to scientists who can not personally visit the collection. Policy for Loaning USDANC Specimens
• Scientists and other workers are always welcomed and encouraged to deposit material into the collection.