Highlights for September 5, 1997
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• USGS Scientist Identifies Butterflies Illegally Collected in National Parks: During the week of September 1, Dr. Paul Opler (CBI) completed identification of the butterflies confiscated in the widely reported Teobaldi-National Park incident. The identifications were sent back to U.S. Fish and Wildlife law enforcement agents on September 3. Most of the butterflies and moths collected by Teobaldi--including specimens from Bryce, Mesa Verde, and Sequoia National Parks--were widespread, common species. None were listed or candidate species on the U.S. Endangered Species Act, State, or CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna) lists. The butterflies will be sent for safekeeping to the collections of the individual National Parks. (Paul Opler, Fort Collins, CO, 970/226-9409)
  

• USGS Staff Assist Bishop Museum: On August 19, Sharon Shin (CBI) and Jennifer Gaines (OBIO) visited with Dr. Stan Blum at the Bishop Museum, Honolulu, to discuss his efforts in developing a documentation methodology for museum collections. The museum director and other staff also attended the meeting. Shin and Gaines provided Dr. Blum with information on the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) and the metadata standards and methods associated with the NBII. (Sharon Shin, Denver, 303/202-4230)
  
  
• NBII Metadata Workshop: On August 20-22, Sharon Shin (CBI) and Jennifer Gaines (OBIO) conducted a National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) Metadata workshop for PIERC and NPS staff. PIERC Director Bill Steiner, who attended the course, expressed interest in providing another training session for those researchers who were in the field. (Sharon Shin, Denver, 303/202-4230)