Deep ocean species. The little that is known mostly comes from collected specimens. Comment on L.A. Rocha et al. Letter "Specimen collection: An essential tool" (23 May, 344: 814).

Deep Ocean Species. The little that is known mostly comes from collected specimens. L.A. Rocha et al. Letter "Specimen collection: An essential tool" (23 May, 344: 814) brilliantly discuss the importance of specimen collection and present the evolution of collecting since the mid-19th century until our present strict codes and conducts. However, it is also important to emphasize the fact that the vast majority of deep ocean macro-organisms are only known to us because of collection and this is a strong argument that should be present in our actions as scientists. If the deep is considered the least known of Earth’s habitats (1% or so according to recent estimates) then what awesome collection of yet to discover species are still there to be properly described? As the authors point citing (1), something around 86% of species remain unknown. Voucher specimens are fundamental for the reasons pointed out and perhaps the vast depths of the World’s oceans are the best example of that importance. The resumed report of 2010 Census of Marine Life (2) showed that among the millions of specimens collected in both familiar and seldom-explored waters, the Census found more than 6,000 potentially new species and completed formal descriptions of more than 1,200 of them. It also found that a number of rare species are in fact common. Voucher specimens are essential and, again agreeing with L.A. Rocha et al. Letter (see above), the modern approach for collecting will not be a cause for extinctions but instead a valuable tool for knowledge, description and even, as seen above, a way to find out that supposed rare species may not be that rare and even prove to reach abundant populations.

Sena Freitas e as viagens ao serviço da cultura e da religião

As viagens ocupam uma dimensão muito relevante na obra de Sena Freitas por terem sido objeto de descrições, em que, sob a forma de relatos ou de cartas, o autor deu a conhecer ao público leitor muitas das suas impressões da paisagem, do património e do estilo de vida dos países e cidades que visitou. Propomos centrar a atenção no relato das viagens em que o autor projeta muitas das suas ideias sobre os mais variados assuntos, desde a experiência missionária, no Brasil, até às suas conceções sobre a importância da ciência na formação dos jovens e do clero, as condições sociais e políticas dos operários, a importância social da religião e da tolerância religiosa, a par da exaltação da natureza, em que a sua ilha de S. Miguel não tem paralelo. Começaremos, no entanto, a nossa exposição, apresentando, em traços gerais, alguns aspetos da sua vida, que repartiu em grande parte entre Portugal e o Brasil, o que servirá para enquadrar o nosso propósito.