Biological Collections

Collections of the Department of Biological Sciences

Herpetology Collection
Herpetology Collection

Herbarium (Plants)

  • Non-vascular Plants (algae, mosses, liverworts)
  • Vascular Plants (ferns, trees, flowering plants)

Learn more about this collection on the Herbarium page.

Zoological Collections (Animals)

  • Ichthyology (fishes)
  • Herpetology (amphibians and reptiles)
  • Freshwater Decapods (crayfish, shrimp, crabs)
  • Freshwater Molluscs and Marine Invertebrates

Learn more about this collection on the Zoological Collection page.

Our Mission

The mission of Biological Collections is to maintain representative collections of plants and animals at local, regional, and global scales for The University of Alabama and the greater scientific community. We make our specimens and their associated data publicly available for use by educators and researchers to promote the importance of systematics and biodiversity science while also serving as a repository for specimens used in scientific research.

Our collections are integral resources for researchers interested in systematics, evolutionary biology, ecology, biogeography, and conservation biology. Information produced from our specimens have generated hundreds of scientific publications including numerous species descriptions. The department’s collections currently include large holdings of vascular and non-vascular plants, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, and molluscs. Biological Collections are housed in Mary Harmon Bryant Hall on the main campus at UA. Collections facilities are open to the public for tours by appointment only (see contact information below).

What are Biological Collections and why are they important?

A tremendous assortment of organisms inhabit the earth’s ecosystems. Despite centuries of describing organisms, scientists estimate they have only described a small portion of the planet’s biodiversity (total number of species in a specific area). Biological collections are organized aggregations of biological specimens (an individual organism examined by a scientist). These often-vast collections of specimens are routinely used by educators and researchers interested in biological systems. In fact, much of the information scientists understand about the natural world was produced using specimens from biological collections and other types of natural history collections. This includes the distribution, habits, and evolution of species as well as the response of biological communities to global land-use and climate change. Therefore, biological collections are invaluable resources to scientists both locally and globally. Biological collections also serve as permanent repositories for taxonomically important specimens (i.e., those used for species descriptions) and historical records of the occurrence, abundance, and variability of species.

Why study biodiversity?

Collection workers

Biodiversity refers to the total number of different species inhabiting a particular ecosystem or area. Generally, ecosystems with greater biodiversity are more productive and have a greater potential to provide ecosystem services such as clear air, water, food, medicines, and shelter. Because human populations are part of these ecosystems, we are dependent on such ecosystem services to live happy and healthy lives. The state of Alabama is a “treasure trove” of biodiversity containing more species of trees, turtles, and freshwater fishes than any other state in the U.S.A. and more species of freshwater molluscs (snails and mussels) and crayfishes than anywhere else in the world. By understanding how to categorize, preserve, and restore biodiversity of our ecosystems, we can improve the quality of life and longevity of human populations in an ever-lasting, sustainable manner.

Contact

Herbarium

Zoological Collections

  • Ichthyology, Herpetology, Freshwater Decapods – M. Worth Pugh (mwpugh@ua.edu)
  • Molluscs and Marine Invertebrates – Dr. Kevin Kocot (kmkocot@ua.edu)