Emílio Goeldi e as origens da pesquisa ornitológica no museu paraense, 1894-1907

Abstract

The Swiss zoologist Emílio Goeldi (1859-1917) was responsible for the reform that gave the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG) the profile of a modern scientific museum, based on collections arranged according to the rules of Systematics. Ornithology was one of the sciences that developed most during his administration (1894-1907), due to his direct action, as he himself collected many specimens and authored some works on the subject. However, the history of MPEG's centennial collections, including the ornithological collection, has been little studied. This paper aims to increase knowledge of the history of MPEG, particularly the formation of the Ornithological Collection. The methodology is based on consultation of the ornithological collection and historical research in documentary sources: administrative reports, Livro Tombo, and publications of the period. A database was created with information about the origin, collector, and collection date of each specimen recorded between 1894 and 1910. Data on the expeditions carried out during the period and the scientific production generated by MPEG in the area of Ornithology were also collected. The analysis was based on cross-referencing the information available in the collection with the documentary sources. Thus, it was possible to identify the main collectors (Snethlage, Meerwarth, Hagmann, Sá, Schönmann, Martins, and Goeldi), their role within the institution, and their period of activity. Graphs of the annual increase of the collection were also assembled, indicating the years of greatest growth and the opportunities generated for collecting; and of the places of origin, relating them to the scientific expeditions. Goeldi's contribution to Neotropical ornithology is highlighted through his activities as museum manager, his ornithological works, and his interlocutors in the scientific community.