A re-examination of the life and work of A.F.G. Kerr and of his colleagues and friends

Authors

  • John A.N. Parnell Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • Francesco Pilla Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • David A. Simpson Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK
  • Peter van Welzen Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands
  • Kongkanda Chayamarit Office of the Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 61 Phahonyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
  • Pranom Chantaranothai Department of Biology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
  • Peter C. Boyce Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • Paul Bygrave Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK
  • Caroline Byrne Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • S. Chen Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kumming Division of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan
  • Charlotte Couch Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK
  • T. Curtis Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • Soejatmi Dransfield Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK
  • Brigitta E.E. Duyfjes Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands
  • Wichan Eiadthong Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
  • Hans-Joachim Esser Herbarium, Botanische Staatssammlung München, Menzinger Straße 67, D-80638 München, Germany
  • Paul J. Grote School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, University Avenue, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000
  • Zhu Hua Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kumming Division of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan
  • Matthew Jebb National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
  • Don W. Kirkup Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK
  • Phan Ke Loc Department of Botany, Viet Nam National University, Hanoi, Viet Nam
  • Supree S. Larsen Herbarium, Science and Technology Museums, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Alle 1., Build. 1137, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
  • J. Macklin Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • A. Madern Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • Conor Meade Institute of Bioengineering and Agroecology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
  • Felix Merklinger Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK
  • David J. Middleton Herbarium, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, Singapore
  • Justin Moat Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK
  • A.Muthama Muasya Department of Biological Sciences 2014, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
  • Pisut Nakmuenwai Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization), 120 The Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty The King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary, 5th December, B.E.2550 (2007), Ratthaprasasanabhakti Building 6th and 7th Floor, Chaeng Wattana Road, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
  • Henrik Pedersen Natural History Museum of Denmark, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 1350 København K, Denmark
  • Colin A. Pendry Herbarium, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
  • Amornrat Prajaksood Department of Biology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
  • Rachun Pooma Office of the Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 61 Phahonyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
  • Kanchana Pruesapan Plant Variety Protection Offi ce, Department of Agriculture, Bangkok Herbarium, 50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
  • Carmen Puglisi Herbarium, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
  • Apirada Sathapattayanon Srinakharinwirot University, Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
  • Phiangphak Sukkharak Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, 169 Long-Hard Bangsaen Road, Saen Sook, Sub- district, Mueang District, 20131 Chonburi, Thailand
  • George Staples Herbarium, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, Singapore
  • Joeri Strijk Plant Ecophysiology and Evolution Group, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
  • Somran Suddee Office of the Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 61 Phahonyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
  • Sarawood Sungkaew Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
  • Kornkanok Tangjitman Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • Atchara Teerawattananon Natural History Museum Thailand (THNHM), National Science Museum, Technopolis, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
  • Jantrararuk Tovaranonte School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, 333 Moo 1, Tambon Tasud, Muang District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
  • T. Ung UMR 7207 CNRS/MNHN/UPMC, MNHN Département Histoire de la Terre, CP48, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
  • Anna Trias-Blasi Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK
  • Willem J.J.O. De Wilde 4Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box, 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands
  • Paul Wilkin Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK
  • Tetsukazu Yahara Center for Asian Conservation Ecology, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan

Keywords:

A.F.G. Kerr, plant collecting, densities and localities, Thailand, GIS, socio-economic history, Irish Botanist, Thai Biogeography Group, Thai photographs, Thai maps, Thai plants

Abstract

Arthur Francis George Kerr’s life is reviewed and related to a previously published account. Kerr’s collecting activity is analysed using an expanded version of the Thai Biogeography Group’s database of collections. 8,666 of the total 48,970 collections are Kerr’s and 3,178 are those of his colleagues and friends. Therefore, the total number of collections made by Kerr and his acquaintances is likely to be larger and more diverse than previously believed. Mapping of these data using GIS show that Kerr’s collecting activities focussed on particular regions of Thailand at particular times. Also large areas of the country remained unexplored by Kerr and his acquaintances: a pattern that, to some extent, persists to this day. The large, but dispersed, archive of Kerr’s photographs, maps, living collections and correspondence indicate that he was a skilled photographer (taking at least 3,000 images), cartographer (producing many hand-drawn maps) and exceptionally acute, accurate and detailed observer (filling numerous notebooks and leaving other records). It is clear that digitising these collections to form an on-line dedicated website is highly desirable to further progress on the flora of Thailand and surrounding countries and would form an unique record of the social history of early 20thC Thailand.

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Author Biographies

John A.N. Parnell, Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland

Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
2, Ireland

Francesco Pilla, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland

Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
2, Ireland

David A. Simpson, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

3Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Peter van Welzen, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands

Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box
9517, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands

Kongkanda Chayamarit, Office of the Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 61 Phahonyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

Office of the Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation,
61 Phahonyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

Pranom Chantaranothai, Department of Biology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand

Department of Biology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002,
Thailand

Peter C. Boyce, Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan,
Sarawak, Malaysia

Paul Bygrave, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Caroline Byrne, Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland

Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
2, Ireland

S. Chen, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kumming Division of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan

Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kumming Division of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan

Charlotte Couch, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

T. Curtis, Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland

Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
2, Ireland

Soejatmi Dransfield, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Brigitta E.E. Duyfjes, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands

Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box
9517, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands

Wichan Eiadthong, Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Hans-Joachim Esser, Herbarium, Botanische Staatssammlung München, Menzinger Straße 67, D-80638 München, Germany

Herbarium, Botanische Staatssammlung München, Menzinger Straße 67, D-80638 München, Germany

Paul J. Grote, School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, University Avenue, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000

School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, University Avenue, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000

Zhu Hua, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kumming Division of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan

Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kumming Division of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan

Matthew Jebb, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland

National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland

Don W. Kirkup, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Phan Ke Loc, Department of Botany, Viet Nam National University, Hanoi, Viet Nam

Department of Botany, Viet Nam National University, Hanoi, Viet Nam

Supree S. Larsen, Herbarium, Science and Technology Museums, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Alle 1., Build. 1137, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

Herbarium, Science and Technology Museums, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Alle 1., Build. 1137, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

J. Macklin, Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland

Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
2, Ireland

A. Madern, Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland

Herbarium, Department of Botany & Trinity Centre for Biodiversity, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
2, Ireland

Conor Meade, Institute of Bioengineering and Agroecology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Institute of Bioengineering and Agroecology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co.
Kildare, Ireland

Felix Merklinger, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

David J. Middleton, Herbarium, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, Singapore

Herbarium, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, Singapore

Justin Moat, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

A.Muthama Muasya, Department of Biological Sciences 2014, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa

Department of Biological Sciences 2014, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa

Pisut Nakmuenwai, Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization), 120 The Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty The King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary, 5th December, B.E.2550 (2007), Ratthaprasasanabhakti Building 6th and 7th Floor, Chaeng Wattana Road, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand

Informatics and Space Technology
Development Agency (Public Organization), 120 The Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty The King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary, 5th December, B.E.2550 (2007), Ratthaprasasanabhakti Building 6th and 7th Floor, Chaeng Wattana Road, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand

Henrik Pedersen, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 1350 København K, Denmark

Natural History Museum of Denmark, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 1350 København K, Denmark

Colin A. Pendry, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

19Herbarium, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Amornrat Prajaksood, Department of Biology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand

Department of Biology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand

Rachun Pooma, Office of the Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 61 Phahonyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

Office of the Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation,
61 Phahonyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

Kanchana Pruesapan, Plant Variety Protection Offi ce, Department of Agriculture, Bangkok Herbarium, 50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Plant Variety Protection Offi ce, Department of Agriculture, Bangkok Herbarium, 50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Carmen Puglisi, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Herbarium, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Apirada Sathapattayanon, Srinakharinwirot University, Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Srinakharinwirot University, Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Phiangphak Sukkharak, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, 169 Long-Hard Bangsaen Road, Saen Sook, Sub- district, Mueang District, 20131 Chonburi, Thailand

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, 169 Long-Hard Bangsaen Road, Saen Sook, Sub- district, Mueang District, 20131 Chonburi, Thailand

George Staples, Herbarium, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, Singapore

Herbarium, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, Singapore

Joeri Strijk, Plant Ecophysiology and Evolution Group, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, China

Plant Ecophysiology and Evolution Group,
College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, China

Somran Suddee, Office of the Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 61 Phahonyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

Office of the Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation,
61 Phahonyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

Sarawood Sungkaew, Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Kornkanok Tangjitman, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University,
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Atchara Teerawattananon, Natural History Museum Thailand (THNHM), National Science Museum, Technopolis, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand

Natural History Museum Thailand (THNHM), National Science Museum, Technopolis, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand

Jantrararuk Tovaranonte, School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, 333 Moo 1, Tambon Tasud, Muang District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, 333 Moo 1, Tambon Tasud, Muang District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

T. Ung, UMR 7207 CNRS/MNHN/UPMC, MNHN Département Histoire de la Terre, CP48, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France

UMR 7207 CNRS/MNHN/UPMC, MNHN Département Histoire de la Terre, CP48, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France

Anna Trias-Blasi, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Willem J.J.O. De Wilde, 4Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box, 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands

Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box, 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands

Paul Wilkin, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK

Tetsukazu Yahara, Center for Asian Conservation Ecology, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan

Center for Asian Conservation Ecology, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan

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Published

2015-12-25

How to Cite

Parnell, J. A., Pilla, F., Simpson, D. A., Welzen, P. van, Chayamarit, K., Chantaranothai, P., Boyce, P. C., Bygrave, P., Byrne, C., Chen, S., Couch, C., Curtis, T., Dransfield, S., Duyfjes, B. E., Eiadthong, W., Esser, H.-J., Grote, P. J., Hua, Z., Jebb, M., Kirkup, D. W., Ke Loc, P., Larsen, S. S., Macklin, J., Madern, A., Meade, C., Merklinger, F., Middleton, D. J., Moat, J., Muasya, A., Nakmuenwai, P., Pedersen, H., Pendry, C. A., Prajaksood, A., Pooma, R., Pruesapan, K., Puglisi, C., Sathapattayanon, A., Sukkharak, P., Staples, G., Strijk, J., Suddee, S., Sungkaew, S., Tangjitman, K., Teerawattananon, A., Tovaranonte, J., Ung, T., Trias-Blasi, A., De Wilde, W. J., Wilkin, P., & Yahara, T. (2015). A re-examination of the life and work of A.F.G. Kerr and of his colleagues and friends. Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany), (43), 111–131. Retrieved from https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ThaiForestBulletin/article/view/44243

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