The MZSP Ant Type Collection: a complete catalogue and digital resource for global access

The importance of natural history collections (NHCs) is undeniable. They preserve specimens and their associated data, consolidating knowledge about biodiversity across space and time. This enables us to unravel the evolutionary stories on local and global scales, providing insights into the past, current events, and potential future. Here, we present the updated metadata for all ant types housed at the MZSP Ant Collection—5765 type specimens of 641 valid species/subspecies, 216 obsolete combinations, 211 synonymized species, and 16 unavailable names belonging to 11 subfamilies. Secondly, we address special cases, including: (i) the correction and refinement of type locality for certain species described by Forel; (ii) the location of 10 types believed to be destroyed, lost, or held in unknown depositories; and (iii) the reporting of 12 type specimens as lost. Lastly, we discuss institutional and governmental initiatives aimed at making NHC data accessible, emphasizing the importance of curating physical specimens and their associated metadata. Only a transformative shift among decision makers, prioritizing sustained investments in science, technology, and education across all levels, alongside the promotion of short-, medium-, and long-term initiatives will be essential for establishing the conditions required for substantive change that benefits all Brazilians and the country’s future.