Recent invertebrates
Around ten million specimens, including tens of thousands of type specimens: the collection of recent invertebrates serves as a key reference for taxonomic, systematic and biodiversity-related research worldwide.
The Recent Invertebrates collection comprises more than ten million specimens from all biogeographical regions, making it a significant research infrastructure for taxonomy, systematics and biodiversity research. It includes, amongst others, Mollusca (snails, mussels, cephalopods), Crustacea (crustaceans), marine invertebrates such as corals and sponges, Vermes, as well as Arachnida and Myriapoda.
The sub-collections, built up over more than 200 years, contain tens of thousands of type specimens and document the scientific description of species by hundreds of authors. As a reference collection, it facilitates comparative studies, revisions and the long-term preservation of taxonomic evidence.
The insect collections are catalogued separately within the Entomology department and are not part of this collection area.
