Growing prominence of natural history collections in the Global South: impacts on the taxonomy of Neotropical non-volant small mammals

Abstract Systematics and taxonomy serve as fundamental pillars of biological research. Natural history collections (NHCs) play a crucial role in preserving type specimens and biodiversity data that underpin research in ecology, climate science, and conservation. Historically rooted in colonial-era exploration, major NHCs are concentrated in the Global North, creating persistent dependencies for Neotropical biodiversity studies. However, recent trends show increased species descriptions using Global South NHCs. We analyse 18th–21st century taxonomic patterns in Neotropical small mammals to assess whether Global South institutions and researchers are gaining prominence in describing their native biodiversity, examining holotype deposition trends and authorship affiliations to evaluate shifting practices in mammalogy. Our findings reveal that 78.6% of historical descriptions were led by Global North researchers, with holotypes predominantly deposited in northern institutions, with an increase in use of local NHCs in recent decades. We identified three distinct peaks in taxonomic activity: 1811–1850, 1891–1930, and 1991–present, coinciding with regional and global political and economic changes. These trends highlight the complex interplay between scientific progress and sociopolitical contexts, while underscoring the need for continued support of local research capacity to achieve equitable biodiversity documentation.