Panda Specimens by Components, 1919-1941
Item
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Title
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Panda Specimens by Components, 1919-1941
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Identifier
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DS_0015
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Description
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This pie chart shows a breakdown of what components the specimens contained - skin, skull, skeleton, carcass or some combination of the above.
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Commentary
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Pie chart based on analysis of specimen collections in the American Museum of Natural History, Field Museum of Natural History and National Museum of Natural History. Not all specimens were the same quality or composition. The very best specimens had the skin, skeleton and skull in good condition so they could be taxidermied and mounted. These specimens are also the most fruitful for scientific study, as one can gain measurements of every detail. Only about a quarter of the specimens were of this quality.
Most of the specimens were of skins only, from which one can extract only limited scientific data such as estimated size and coloration. Those that were carcasses had been captive in zoos. Other kinds of scientific data could be obtained from the tissue and other "wet" components. Analysis of these specimens has helped scientists better understand the species in ways that ensure their health in captivity and conservation in the wild.
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Creator
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Cory Willmott
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Date Created
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2023-09-02
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Provenance
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Original research.
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Publisher
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SIUE
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Record Date
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2025-12-27
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Contributor
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Cory Willmott
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Type
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Pie Chart
Table of Live Pandas, 1936-1953
Specimen Components.png