Crustaceans
This sub-collection brings together over a million specimens and documents the diversity of crustaceans – from historical expeditions to species that are now partly endangered or extinct.
Overview
The Crustacea (crustaceans) sub-collection comprises more than 36,500 specimens, containing an estimated one million individuals, as many specimens contain multiple animals. The collection includes over 1,500 type specimens, as well as around 1,500 dried specimens and 5,000 micro-specimens.
Part of the collection contains species listed as endangered or critically endangered on the IUCN Red List or the German Red List, particularly freshwater species. The isopod species Proasellus nolli, for example, is considered extinct or missing.
Contact
Dr Kristina von Rintelen
Scientific Head of Collection
Email: Kristina.Rintelen@mfn.berlin
Telephone: +49 30 889140-8864
Access
The sub-collection is available to researchers upon prior request. Please contact the relevant collection managers.
A specialist library containing more than 19,000 books and offprints complements the work on the objects.
History
The core of the sub-collection dates back to the 18th century and comprises the insect collection of the naturalist and preacher Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Herbst (1743–1807).
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the collection was expanded by prominent crustacean specialists. These include, among others, Franz Martin Hilgendorf (1839–1904) with collections from Japan, and Eduard von Martens (1831–1904), who served as curator at the Zoological Museum Berlin until 1904, which later became part of the Museum of Natural History.
Of particular significance are the extensive materials from major marine biological expeditions, including the Gazelle expedition (1874–1876), the Plankton expedition (1889), the German Deep-Sea Expedition with the Valdivia (1898–1899) and the German South Polar Expedition with the Gauss (1901–1903). To this day, these collections provide important data for research into marine ecosystems.
Research
The sub-collection serves as a basis for taxonomic, faunistic and biodiversity-related research. It enables comparisons to be made between historical and current collections and allows changes in species and habitats to be traced.
Of particular significance are the extensive materials from major marine biological expeditions, including the Gazelle expedition (1874–1876), the Plankton expedition (1889), the German Deep-Sea Expedition with the Valdivia (1898–1899) and the German South Polar Expedition with the Gauß (1901–1903). These collections continue to provide important data for research into marine ecosystems to this day.
The sub-collections relevant to scientific research include, for example, one of the world’s largest collections of land isopods (‘Brandt Collection’) as well as freshwater shrimp of the family Atyidae.