On-line Publications

Online Collections Database (collections.naturalsciences.org)

The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ amphibian and reptile collection, started in the late 1800s by Museum co-founder C.S. Brimley, contains approximately 120,000 specimens. It is one of the largest and most complete regional collections in the United States. Approximately 90 percent of the collection consists of North Carolina material, although 42 states, 15 countries, and more than 360 species are represented. Other states with substantial representation are South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, California and Texas.

The collection houses fluid-preserved specimens, skeletons, skins, and other materials that assist with the documentation of the natural history, distribution, and status of the state’s amphibian and reptile populations. Photo vouchers, field notes, other museums’ records of North Carolina holdings, and specimen data sheets also are maintained as part of the materials documenting these resources. Computerization of collections data is underway.

Most of the specimens have been accumulated since the 1960s when William Palmer, then curator of lower vertebrates, began caring for the collections. Recent acquisitions include a large collection from Duke University, material from the University of North Carolina’s Institute of Marine Sciences, and the personal collection of the late E. E. Brown, who taught at Davidson College.

The section provides voucher repository and identification services for the public and private sectors, and publishes research findings and general literature on the natural history of North Carolina’s herpetofauna.

For loan or other information, please contact Curator of Herpetology Alvin Braswell or Collections Manager Jeffrey C. Beane.

Staff Web Pages:
Alvin Braswell
Jeff Beane

North Carolina Herpetological Society - Dedicated to research and "conservation of amphibians and reptiles through education and dissemination of scientific information through the facilities of the Society".

Amphibians and Reptiles of North Carolina - Site created by students at Davidson College.

Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation - "PARC Mission: To conserve amphibians, reptiles and their habitats as integral parts of our ecosystem and culture through proactive and coordinated public/private partnerships."

Contemporary Herpetology - A "peer-reviewed, on-line scientific journal devoted to the global dissemination of scientific information on amphibians, turtles, crocodilians, and reptiles."

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory - An "important center for extensive and intensive herpetological research since 1967" at the University of Georgia.

Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles - The largest herpetological society in the world provides many and diverse services to its membership and the public.

North American Amphibian Monitoring Program - NAAMP uses trained volunteers to monitor populations of vocal amphibians.