Zoological Collections
The zoological collections include separate collections of mollusks, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds, as well as associated genetic resources. Our collections are used in teaching, research, and outreach, and we are participants in online data-sharing networks including ARCTOS, iDigBio, GBIF, and our own Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas. The zoological collections are located in the Ecology Building on the Saint Paul campus of the University of Minnesota at 1992 Upper Buford Circle.
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Fishes
41,000+ SpecimensThis collection dates to the 19th century. Early collections focused on fishes of Minnesota, but older collections include specimens from the Philippines, Hawaii, and more.
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Mollusks
18,000+ SpecimensSome of our mollusk specimens date to 1875. The majority are freshwater mollusks collected in Minnesota and represent an important Upper Midwest collection.
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Mammals
19,000+ SpecimensSpecimens are mainly from Minnesota, but also represent South America, the Philippines, and Africa. Besides this research collection, we also maintain a teaching collection.
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Amphibians & Reptiles
15,000+ SpecimensFocused on the upper Midwest, we have one of the best collections of herpetological material in the region with 40 families, 152 genera, and 360 species.
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Birds
45,000+ SpecimensMost specimens are from the Upper Midwest—mainly from Minnesota. Many of the recent specimens (more than 4,000) have accompanying frozen tissue samples.
