The Mammal Research Collection ranks 16th in the Western Hemisphere and is accredited by the American Society of Mammalogists. It includes more than 38,500 specimens, approximately 8,000 of which are from the Great Lakes region. Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Ecuador are also well represented. Significant series from Michigan and Mexico were contributed by the late Rollin H. Baker, former Curator of Mammals and former MSU Museum Director. The collection includes skeletons, study skins, skulls, tanned hides, frozen tissues, and fluid-preserved specimens.
The Ornithology Research Collection includes over 13,000 specimens; more than one third are from Michigan. Also well-represented are Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil. Many of the specimens were part of the original holdings of the Michigan Agricultural College Museum, among them historically important series collected by naturalists Walter Barrows and Dillman S. Bullock. The collection includes study skins, skeletons, taxidermy mounts, eggs, nests, and fluid-preserved specimens.
AVoCet, Avian Vocalizations Center
The Herpetology Research Collection includes over 18,600 reptile and amphibian specimens representing Michigan, Mexico, South America, Africa, and Australia. Significant series were contributed by the late Curator Emeritus J. Alan Holman, and the late Professor of Zoology, Max Hensley. The collection includes fluid-preserved specimens, tanned skins, and over 4,600 skeletons.
The Ichthyology Research Collection includes 7,100 lots containing over 36,100 marine and freshwater specimens. Of the freshwater holdings, more than half are from Michigan, among them 1,100 specimens collected from the Red Cedar River, which flows through campus. Additional noteworthy series were collected in Ecuador, Mexico, and India. Both fluid-preserved specimens and skeletons (over 1,200) are represented.
The Vertebrate Paleontology Research collection includes over 4,200 specimens, approximately 90% of which are from North America. The most significant holdings are Cenozoic amphibians and reptiles from throughout North America, Permian fishes and tetrapods from Texas, and Late Pleistocene faunal remains from the Great Lakes region. Significant series were contributed by the late Curator Emeritus J. Alan Holman, and the late Professor of Zoology, Richard J. Seltin.