Nowadays, little is discussed of the impressive prehistoric natural remains that have been found in El Salvador.

However in the last 30 years important research has been conducted by national and international organizations that have led to the creation of the Natural History National Deposit run by The Secretary of Culture of the Presidency (SECULTURA) under the classification of “Cultural Heritage”.

This section remains focused on past scientific findings for the moment, since it requires more funds and support start or continue projects such as paleontological excavations at important local sites.

This collection is strictly guarded and it is located adjacent to the facilities of the Museum of Natural History (MUHNES) at Eco-Park Saburo Hirao, a museum that has gathered an important collection that evolved into four categories: Herbarium, Malacology (study of mollusks), Paleontology (with prehistoric vestiges) and Entomology (the studies of insects).

Botanical Findings

Originally the first collection was collected in 1975. It was not until 2009 that the findings where reviewed and indicated a collection of 1,250 species, and more than 3,500 samples of herbal species that have no been digitalized. In 2005 research begun with classification of different types of plants, fruits and more, including new species to science, endemic (or unique to a country) and findings considered

“range expansion”.

Jenny Menjivar, biologist and botanist, in charge of the herbarium, reported that the collection consists of approximately 12,000 samples that include:

• Known as “Mountain Orange”, its scientific name is Meliosma Echeverria.

In 1977 it was known as “Meliosma Dentate”. However, it was not until 2008 that a new research reported it as a new species, and the name was changed.

Its characteristics are that the flower and its stalk are small.

This species was found at Montecristo National Park, near the town of Metapán, Santa Ana. This site is characterized by being a cloud forest of northern El Salvador. This species has been found in Cerro Miramundo as well.

• Meliosma echeverriae with fruits.

• Its scientific name is:  Salvadorensis Anemia.

It was classified as “endemic” an attribution given to the species unique to one country or location and that have not been reported elsewhere.

It was found at El Imposible National Park, Ahuachapán, in 1977 and got its name until 1984.

New records for El Salvador

• Helicteres baruensis

The discovery of this specie took place at El Sapo River, municipality of Arambala, Morazán in 2006. It can be found in other regions in Central America.

• Krameria ixine

This herb was collected at El Sapo River, Arambala municipality, department of Morazán. It was classified as “range expansion” since all Central American countries had reported it previously and El Salvador was pending.

• Turnera Diffusa

This is a shrub that grows at El Sapo River, Morazán. It was also classified as “range expansion” since it can be found in many countries in Central America.

Salvia Kellermanii

This is a common plant in El Salvador and is said to have medicinal properties.

• Plumeria Rubra

Popularly known as “Flor de Mayo” is characterized by a variety of colors.

Mollusc Collection

Ana Maria Rivera, who is in charge of compiling, said Salvadoran Malacology reports 436 of marine species, 25 terrestrial and 5 types of fresh water including: opisthobranch, chitons (known as sea cockroaches), snails and bivalves. These have been collected since the late seventies in different parts of the country.

• Lysinoe starreti

Popularly known as earth snail. It was collected in the area of Montecristo National Park, Metapán province of Santa Ana, and it was categorized as “new species to science”.

• Euglandina Sowebyana

This snail was classified as ” range expansion”. It was collected in the municipality of Cinquera, Province of Cabañas.

• Conus Princeps, Conus Orion, Conus Fergusoni

These species have an unusual neurotoxin used to immobilize their prey. They also have medicinal properties for heart disease and the nerve system. These specimens were collected at the province of La Unión.

• Aragonia Olividae

It has a “porcelain-like” shell, which according to scientific research, was used for making necklaces during pre-hispanic times. This specimen was found on the beach El Icacal, province of La Unión.

• Lepidochitona Salvadorensis

It studied in 2003 and was categorized, as a “new species to science” Among the most remarkable peculiarity is that it only measures about nine millimeters. It was collected in the municipality of Los Cóbanos, Province of Sonsonate.

• Strombus

One of the most common snails at the Pacific coast, in danger of extinction, due to its commercial use, as food or for handcrafts.

Salvadoran Entomology

Eunice Echeverría, current coordinator of MUHNES guards this collection of insects that make up the collection of the National Deposit. Among the most prominent are:

• Beetle from the Hemiphileurus Euriciae group:

This specimen was collected in 1998 in the municipality of Soyapango, San Salvador. It was categorized as “new species to science”.

• Cyclocephala Melolonthidae

It was collected at Costa del Sol, department of La Paz in 1976. It was not until 2005 that was reported in El Salvador as a “new species to science” by Dr. Ronald Cave of the University of Florida, USA.

• Levon Zesiusa

This butterfly was collected at Montecristo National Park in 1972 and reported as “new species to science.”

• Mellana key

This insect was collected in 1970 in the municipality of Santa Tecla, La Libertad. It received the title of “new species to science.”

• Chrysina Quetzalcoatli

Popularly known as the “jewel beetle.” It has been reported in countries like Guatemala and Honduras. This finding took place in 2002 at Montecristo National Park, Santa Ana.

• Heterogomphus Chevrolaty

Also known, as “horn chicote” is a variety of beetle. The specimen was collected at Cacahuatique Volcano, province of Morazán in 1999.

• Rothschildia Erycina

A type of butterfly, very colorful with a distinctive shape, It was collected at El Imposible National Park, province of Ahuachapán in 1988.

• Thysania Agrippina

Characterized by its large size, it is considered as one of the largest moths in Latin America and the world. It was collected at El Imposible National Park in 1998.

To learn more about these and other species, you may arrange a permit with the Natural History Museum of El Salvador (MUHNES) using the contact information provided.

How to get there:

Address: Barrio San Jacinto, end of Los Viveros St, Colonia Nicaragua, San Salvador. Near the National Zoo and the National Institute of Childhood and Adolescence.

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=es&q=Mapa+a+Saburo+Hirao&bav=on.2, or.r_gc.r_pw. & Um = 1 & ie = UTF-8 & sa = N & tab = wl

Bus Routes:

Route 2 (National Zoo and San Jacinto), Route 12 and 11B minibuses. Fares from US$ 0.25.

More

Contact phone: (503) 2270-9228 / (503) 2270-1387

Hours: Wednesdays to Sundays: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (no lunch break).

Admission:

- General US$ 0.60

- Children under 7 years and elderly: FREE

Parking: US$ 1.00

Website:

http://www.cultura.gob.sv/temas/museos/museo-de-historia-natural-saburo-hirao.html

Available on Facebook as MUHNES (Natural History Museum of El Salvador)

Additional Information:

http://www.elsalvador.com/mwedh/nota/nota_completa.asp?idCat=6482&idArt=5807598

http://www.soitu.es/soitu/2007/12/11/info/1197406200_625577.html

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iNx6fS1hMMfhGlE4HfOKCSaunVKQ

http://www.queondas.com/aqui_estamos/reportajes/tomayate1.htm

Tomayate River Site, Apopa municipality, department of San Salvador: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomayate

http://www.queondas.com/aqui_estamos/reportajes/tomayate.htm

Satellite Location

Elevation 2265 feet

N 13 ° 40,529 ‘

W 89 ° 11,834 ‘

Photogallery

AVISO