Smaller ones also matter: species diversity, collection patterns, and functional traits in the amphibian and reptile collection of the Universidad del Quindío, Colombia

Small biological collections, especially those in the Global South, have played a crucial role in the study of species diversity, despite limited resources or international visibility. Here, we highlight the importance that small biological collections in Colombia, South America, has had in promoting research and conservation of the diversity in specific regions. As an example of this, we present the Colección de Anfibios y Reptiles at Universidad del Quindío (ARUQ). ARUQ has <2000 specimens but at present includes 186 species of amphibians and 122 species of reptiles; 70 species are endemic to Colombia and 31 species are listed under a threat category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Moreover, ARUQ has a high diversity of functional traits that are associated with species that could be underrepresented in other biological collections, and samples of tissues for genetic analysis have been a source of information for multiple research projects. This indicates that small biological collections are key to a more inclusive approach to study and conserve biodiversity, especially in regions facing ecological and economic challenges.