MUSEUMS AND INSTITUTIONS OF NATURAL SCIENCES IN THE SOUTH OF THE PROVINCE OF MENDOZA AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO ARGENTINE PALEOHERPETOLOGY

Authors

  • Marcelo Saúl de la Fuente Instituto de Evolución, Ecología Histórica y Ambiente (IDEVEA) FRSR UTN-CONICET, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5710/PEAPA.31.05.2021.358

Keywords:

Museums, San Rafael, Malargüe, Institutional History, Scientific Research, Fieldworks

Abstract

The two most relevant institutions dedicated to the promotion of natural sciences in the south of the Mendoza Province are the Museum of Natural History of San Rafael (MHNSR) (Department of San Rafael) and the Regional Museum of Malargüe “Jorge Luna” (MRM) (Department of Malargüe). The first institution was founded in 1955 whereas the second one in 1973, and both were incorporated into the municipal management in the first years of the ‘70s during the last century. These museums have had different trajectories and projections regarding their scientific activity. This was also reflected in the paleoherpetological development at the MHNSR with the incorporation of researchers and fellows from CONICET since 2002. The Regional Center for Cultural Research and Development is an institution that conducted paleontological activities in southern Mendoza Province between the years 2006 and 2015.With the recent creation of the Institute of Evolution, Historical Ecology and Environment, an institute that depends both from CONICET and the National Technological University, paleontologists would continue their work in this unit without leaving the MHNSR, where paleontological collections are housed. For the MRM, fossils are housed both in the adjacent old mill at the estancia “La Orteguina”, as well as in the palaeontology exhibition room of this museum. These institutions house small collections of fossil reptiles.

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Published

2022-05-13

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Thematic Volume