Samarkand State University
Ornithological collection
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| S.K. Dal; 1930s |
The ornithological collection of Samarkand State University is the major component of the collection funds of the Zoological Museum of this university, which was founded in 1934 by a well-known expert of fauna, S.K. Dal, his brother K.K. Dal and collector K.K. Povarova. The organization of the museum was directly connected with the establishment of the Department of Zoology at Samarkand State University. On 22 January 1927, a Higher Pedagogical Institute was opened in Samarkand. In early 1928, a Department of Zoology was set up at this institute under the supervision of Professor Zavadsky. In 1930, the Higher Pedagogical Institute was transformed into the State Pedagogical Academy and in 1934, into Alisher Navoi Samarkand State University.
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| I.M. Anan·ev |
A significant contribution to the organization of the museum, collection and fabrication of collection specimens was made the associates of the museum and laboratory of taxidermy, I.M. Anan'ev, K.K. Povarova, A. Volovin, A. Fisun, L.V. Ionis, I. Nurmukhamedov, D. Kruglov, and B. Mukhamadiev. A number of well-known scientists also took part in the replenishment of the collection, namely, Abdusalyamov I.A., Bakaev S.B., Botirov B.H., Dal S.K., Kaluzhina M.B., Lakhanov Zh.L., and Sagitov A.K. Besides, students, associates of nature reseves and other nature-conervation organizations, hunters and nature-lovers also participated in the expansion of the collection.
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| A.K. Sagitov with a group of students, 1950s |
The ornithological collection contains 3008 specimens of 327 species of 58 families and 20 orders. The collection includes 299 species (69.63%) species of Uzbekistani avifauna. Of these, most numerous were Ciconiiformes - 83.3% spp., Falconiformes - 80.5%, Pterocletes - 91.7%, Strigiformes - 87.5%, all four species of Coraciiformes and one species of Upupiformes, and 66.7% of Passeriformes.
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| Ornithological exhibits |
Most numerous were collections of birds of 224 species from the coastal plain lands lying in the mid- and lower course of the River Zarafshan (42.41% of all specimens). The Pamirs-Alai species include 167 species (37.89%). A low number (3.71% of the entire collection) and 56 species were collected from the Desert Kyzylkum. Sole specimens (2.1% or 62 specimens) were collected from East Europe, western Siberia and Tibet. Geographically unidentified were 11.86% of specimens.
The collection was mainly replenished from 1931 to 1970. In this period of 40 years, the collection was expanded with 2588 bird specimens, i.e. 85.7% of the entire collection.
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| Ornithological exhibits |
In 1996-2006, the State Committee or Science and technology allocated funds, which were used for the reconstruction and repair of premises and landscape compositions of the museum and the establishment of the Laboratory of Taxidermy. Five hundred and thirty-three specimens in the form of stuffed animals are exhibited in glass cabinets in the zoological museum of the Department of Zoology. They are all labeled and are used in lessons with students. Owing to a strict observation of visiting hours and storage, these specimens are well preserved. Other specimens are kept as skins in special collection cabinets of the museum.
