Herpetology

Overview

The Herpetology sub-collection at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin is one of the leading collections of its kind in Europe. Internationally, it is particularly valued for its approximately 2,600 type specimens representing around 1,900 species descriptions. The integration of the sub-collection with data from the historical research unit enables comprehensive data retrieval and the assignment of previously unidentified collection records. More recent acquisitions include, in addition to preserved specimens, georeferenced locality data, tissue samples for genetic analyses, photographs of living animals and amphibian call recordings.

The sub-collection comprises around 160,000 amphibians and reptiles. Approximately 155,000 are fluid-preserved specimens. In addition, the sub-collection includes around 1,400 skeletal, osteological and dry specimens, approximately 5,000 photographs – primarily of type specimens –, around 1,000 micro-CT datasets, tissue samples and amphibian call recordings held in the Animal Sound Archive.

The historical holdings document the global diversity of amphibians and reptiles over more than 250 years. Current collecting and research priorities include, among others, the amphibians of Africa.

The sub-collection also includes one of the most comprehensive herpetological libraries, comprising around 1,100 monographs, approximately 100 rare historical volumes, 30 scientific journals and around 200,000 offprints.

History

The Berlin Herpetology Collection dates back to the mid-18th century, making it one of the museum's oldest zoological collections. Its earliest holdings include material collected by Friedrich Heinrich von Borcke (1704–1747), Marcus Elieser Bloch (1723–1799) and Peter Simon Pallas (1741–1811).

During the 19th century, scientific expeditions greatly expanded the sub-collection. Major contributions came from Friedrich Wilhelm Hemprich (1796–1825) and Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg (1795–1876), who collected in Northeast Africa and the Sinai, Friedrich Sellow (1789–1831) and Ignaz von Olfers (1793–1871) in South America, and Wilhelm Peters (1815–1883) in Mozambique. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, further important holdings from many regions of the world were added. These also include material from colonial contexts, which is now critically examined from both scientific and historical perspectives.

Among the oldest objects in the sub-collection is an almost 300-year-old African rock python (Python sebae) from the natural history cabinet of Albertus Seba (1665–1736). Today, the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin probably houses the world's largest number of herpetological specimens originating from this historically significant collection.

Research

The sub-collection provides an important foundation for taxonomic, phylogenetic, evolutionary, ecological and biogeographical research. Its numerous type specimens and extensive historical holdings enable researchers to compare species, reconstruct evolutionary relationships and investigate long-term changes in biodiversity. The research group led by the Scientific Head of Collection currently focuses particularly on Africa and Madagascar.

The sub-collection also supports research on biodiversity and nature conservation. Data from the museum contributed, among other things, to the global IUCN Red List assessment of reptiles. Further research addresses the conservation status of turtles and crocodilians as well as the resilience of amphibians to habitat change.

The sub-collection regularly contributes to new scientific discoveries. Recent studies have investigated the reproductive biology of viviparous Nimba toads and newly described tree toads from Tanzania. Research based on museum specimens also led to the recognition of the endemic West African frog family Odontobatrachidae.