ABOVE: A drawer of bat specimens in the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology collection
DALE AUSTIN, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
More than a year has elapsed since the first recorded cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and scientists still aren’t sure from which animal it spilled over into human populations, and they may never find out. Had researchers archived more host vouchers, which are preserved specimens or tissues of species that carry pathogens, investigators may have had a better chance at pinpointing the animal origins of SARS-CoV-2 quickly, argues a group of scientists in mBio on January 12.
The authors call on field scientists who study infectious diseases in animals to partner with museums to store specimens whenever possible, rather than remain siloed in their separate pursuits.
The Scientist spoke with coauthors Cody Thompson, the mammal collections manager and a researcher at the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan, and Kendra ...
