The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ invertebrate collection contains more than 25,000 lots consisting of more than 170,000 specimens and is actively growing. The areas of specialization in the collection are millipedes, centipedes, freshwater crayfish, and freshwater mollusks. Collections acquired in 1996 from the University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences have added strength to the Museum’s invertebrate collection in the areas of marine crustaceans and brackish and marine mollusks. The Museum’s millipede collection is of international significance, including a major series of Sigmoria.
The Museum’s crustacean collection contains approximately 7,800 lots containing approximately 90,000 specimens. Research emphasis is on freshwater decapods, especially crayfishes. At 15,000 specimens, the crayfish collection is one of the largest in the Southeast.
The Museum’s mollusk collection consists of two parts: the Museum’s historical collection of about 3,500 lots or approximately 20,000 specimens and the former Institute of Marine Sciences’ (IMS) collection with about 12,000 lots containing an estimated 60,000 specimens. The latter collection includes Hugh Porter’s collection of marine and brackish water mollusks of North Carolina. The mollusk section’s current research emphasis is on freshwater mollusks, especially freshwater bivalves.
For loan or visitation information, please contact the appropriate curator: Curator of Terrestrial Invertebrates Rowland Shelley; Curator of Aquatic Invertebrates Arthur Bogan; or Curator of Crustaceans John Cooper.
Staff
Web Pages:
Art
Bogan
John Cooper
Rowland Shelley
Mollusk Bibliography Database - An on-line searchable database of literature on freshwater mussels. Compiled by K. Cummings, A.Bogan,G.T.Watters, and C.A. Mayer
The Crayfish Homepage - Crayfish News, Photographs, Societies, Phylogeny, Conservation, Links, Lists, and a Bibliography.
Crayfish World USA - The U.S. section of an extensive site run by Aussie amateur crayfish enthusiast Dave Royal. Text and photos by Roger F. Thoma, Ohio State University.
Needs in the Management of Freshwater Mussels in the National Park System - Mussel anatomy, physiology, environmental physiology, reproduction, ecological importance & threats, resources and educational outreach materials.
University of Florida Book of Insect Records - A compilation of scientifically accurate superlatives from the world of the insects. What is the heaviest insect? The fastest? The species with the most toxic venom? The species with the greatest bioluminescence? Look no further.
Bugbios - Insects on the Web - "This site aims to help you really see insects for the miniature marvels they represent and to understand how intertwined our cultures have become with these alien creatures." Macrophotos, Cultural Entomology, and a great set of links.
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