Smithsonian Institution Archives

Mammal Identification Service Records, 1966-1976

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU0407
Creators:
National Museum of Natural History. Mammal Identification Service
Dates:
1966-1976
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
1 cu. ft. (1 record storage box)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These records document the eight-year history of MIS and consist of correspondence of Handley, Ranck, and Pine concerning the creation of the project, the identification of mammal specimens, professional activities, and administrative matters; proposals submitted to NIH to provide funding for MIS; annual reports and a final report of the project; and administrative records.

Historical Note

Historical Note
The Mammal Identification Service (MIS) was established in 1966. It was located in the Division of Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, and supported jointly by the Smithsonian and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Charles O. Handley, Jr., Curator in the Division of Mammals, was Principal Investigator of the project. Gary L. Ranck was appointed Curator of MIS in 1966. Ranck resigned the following year and was replaced by Ronald H. Pine, who served until 1973. The MIS was terminated in 1974 when NIH support ceased.
The primary purpose of MIS was to provide rapid identifications of mammals of medical and epidemiological importance. In addition to providing identifications, MIS published manuals on the classification and identification of mammals, and trained paramedical workers in techniques for the collection and field preservation of specimens.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 407, National Museum of Natural History. Mammal Identification Service, Mammal Identification Service Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Handley, Charles O. (Charles Overton), 1924-2000 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ranck, Gary L. (Gary Laval), 1933- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pine, Ronald H. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Institutes of Health (U.S.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.). Division of Mammals Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Mammalogy Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Mammals -- Identification Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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