zoological research, the zoological garden of turin, italy

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ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH, THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN OF TURIN, ITALY IN 1962 a laboratory, the Centre of Primato- logy, directed by Dr B. Chiarelli of the An- thropological Institute of the Turin University was founded by the Turin Zoological Garden. Since 1958 the Turin Zoological Garden has collaborated with Dr Chiarelli in his research work on primates he has been doing at the Department of Genetics, Pavia University. Thanks to grants from some Institutions, the Centre has recently been considerably im- proved. It consists of an Immunology Labora- tory and of an ‘in vitro’ Culture Laboratory. The Immunology Laboratory, directed by Dr R. Grilletto, has been undertaking the follow- ing researches : biznrunologic distances. Research carried out using ‘eritrocitarian antigens’ has made it possible to draw serological maps for the estimation of phylogenetical distances and taxonomic affinities among various species. Work on primate serum could probably give a valid contribution to the taxonomy of the group. Blood group determination. There are many points of comparison between human blood groups and primate ones; however further research in &s field will be particularly useful in determining the pattern of evolution fol- lowed by the appearance of immunity re- actions. Electrophoretic data on serum proteins. Electro- phoretic researches on the serum proteins of primates offers many possibilities of com- parison between the various fractions in different species. The ‘in vitro’ Culture Laboratory, directed by Miss L. Barberis is doing work, already well-advanced, on comparison of the Karo- types of the various species of primates. All these research projects aim at the deter- mination of the taxonomic relationship be- tween the various species of primates, the reconstruction of the pattern that the primate group has followed in its evolution and how it has become differentiated. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT LONDON ZOO Lecturedemonstrations for school pupils. The educational programme for secondary schools undertaken by the Zoological Society of London during the spring and autumn terms continues to develop very successfully and during the 1962 year, 19,212 pupils, mainly from schools and technical colleges in London and the surrounding area, attended. Many of the schools and colleges which participate have done so since the start of the scheme five years ago, but an increasing number of other edu- cational establishments are also sending parties of pupils to the lecturedemonstrations. This is satisfactory and indicates that the programme is meeting a real need in helping schools to present zoology as the study of living - as well as dead - animals. Young Zoologists’ Club. During 1962 members have continued to play an active part in the affairs of the Club. One group makes monthly counts of the wild waterfowl on the nearby lake of Regent’s Park. Expeditions have been organized to Surrey and the Blackwater Estuary to collect specimens for the Insect House. Under the guidance of the Education Officer, many members have visited the London Zoo on Saturday mornings to learn how to photograph animals. In addition, the Club has held a number of very useM lec- tures, film-shows and ‘brains-trusts’ for its members. WINTER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES PHILADELPHIA ZOO, USA TO provide an important educational pro- gramme, and to sustain public interest in the Philadelphia Zoo during the cold, bleak winter

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Page 1: ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH, THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN OF TURIN, ITALY

ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH, THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN

OF T U R I N , ITALY

I N 1962 a laboratory, the Centre of Primato- logy, directed by Dr B. Chiarelli of the An- thropological Institute of the Turin University was founded by the Turin Zoological Garden. Since 1958 the Turin Zoological Garden has collaborated with Dr Chiarelli in his research work on primates he has been doing at the Department of Genetics, Pavia University.

Thanks to grants from some Institutions, the Centre has recently been considerably im- proved. It consists of an Immunology Labora- tory and of an ‘in vitro’ Culture Laboratory. The Immunology Laboratory, directed by Dr R. Grilletto, has been undertaking the follow- ing researches :

biznrunologic distances. Research carried out using ‘eritrocitarian antigens’ has made it possible to draw serological maps for the estimation of phylogenetical distances and taxonomic affinities among various species.

Work on primate serum could probably give a valid contribution to the taxonomy of the group. Blood group determination. There are many points of comparison between human blood groups and primate ones; however further research in &s field will be particularly useful in determining the pattern of evolution fol- lowed by the appearance of immunity re- actions. Electrophoretic data on serum proteins. Electro- phoretic researches on the serum proteins of primates offers many possibilities of com- parison between the various fractions in different species.

The ‘in vitro’ Culture Laboratory, directed by Miss L. Barberis is doing work, already well-advanced, on comparison of the Karo- types of the various species of primates.

All these research projects aim at the deter- mination of the taxonomic relationship be- tween the various species of primates, the reconstruction of the pattern that the primate group has followed in its evolution and how it has become differentiated.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

AT L O N D O N Z O O

Lecturedemonstrations for school pupils. The educational programme for secondary schools undertaken by the Zoological Society of London during the spring and autumn terms continues to develop very successfully and during the 1962 year, 19,212 pupils, mainly from schools and technical colleges in London and the surrounding area, attended. Many of the schools and colleges which participate have done so since the start of the scheme five years ago, but an increasing number of other edu- cational establishments are also sending parties of pupils to the lecturedemonstrations. This is satisfactory and indicates that the programme is meeting a real need in helping schools to present zoology as the study of living - as well as dead - animals. Young Zoologists’ Club. During 1962 members

have continued to play an active part in the affairs of the Club. One group makes monthly counts of the wild waterfowl on the nearby lake of Regent’s Park. Expeditions have been organized to Surrey and the Blackwater Estuary to collect specimens for the Insect House. Under the guidance of the Education Officer, many members have visited the London Zoo on Saturday mornings to learn how to photograph animals. In addition, the Club has held a number of very useM lec- tures, film-shows and ‘brains-trusts’ for its members.

WINTER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES PHILADELPHIA ZOO, USA

TO provide an important educational pro- gramme, and to sustain public interest in the Philadelphia Zoo during the cold, bleak winter