Windows to the 19th Century Ocean

Among the oldest specimens preserved in the collection are five small corals from the genus Crypthelia: Crypthelia eueides, Crypthelia glebulenta, Crypthelia lacunosa, Crypthelia cymas, and Crypthelia dactylopoma. They were collected in 1888 between the islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal during the expedition of the United States Fish Commission Steamer Albatross, the first vessel designed and built exclusively for marine scientific research.

At that time, marine exploration methods were still rudimentary. Large dredging nets were lowered to the seafloor to capture organisms, allowing these specimens to be collected at depths of more than 700 meters. They were later deposited and safeguarded at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, where they were preserved, cataloged, and identified 98 years later.

Working with these specimens feels, to me, like traveling through time. These small and fragile organisms hold information about the ocean of the nineteenth century. They represent complex forms of life adapted to extreme conditions and help us understand how marine ecosystems have evolved over time.

Despite being collected in the nineteenth century, these specimens remain highly relevant for modern science. They serve as reference material, support species identification, allow scientists to analyze changes in marine biodiversity, and provide information that informs conservation policies and actions. They also play a fundamental role as educational and outreach material.

In Galápagos, preserving these records is a responsibility toward the islands and their future. Many marine species face increasing threats, and without specimens in scientific collections we would lose the biological, ecological, and geographical record of the organisms that once formed—and still form—part of the ocean surrounding our islands.

Maintaining the Marine Organisms Collection at the Charles Darwin Research Station depends on the support of people committed to protecting this natural heritage. With your support, we can ensure that these stories remain alive and continue to guide the conservation of Galápagos.