Invertebrate Biology
The Invertebrate Biology collections consist primarily of a malacology collection comprised of over 14,500 lots of recent and fossil specimens, mostly dried shells. About 70% of the materials are terrestrial gastropods, 25% freshwater mollusks and 5% marine forms. Geographic coverage is mostly for New Mexico (about 80%), but there also are significant holdings for Kansas, Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. This taxonomic and geographic composition has arisen because of the principal research interests and activities of Dr. Artie L. Metcalf, and his students.
UTEP invertebrate holdings also contain a collection of rotifers curated by Dr. Elizabeth Walsh. Dr. Walsh’s laboratory uses molecular techniques to address evolutionary and ecological questions. Other objectives in Dr. Walsh’s lab include a development of a molecular phylogeny of the major families of Rotifera, completion of an ecological study of rotifer populations at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, and determination of community structure and phylogeography of zooplankton in Chihuahuan desert springs.
Portions of both invertebrate collections are available online as migration to Arctos is currently in process. Although taxonomy, specimen identifications and associated data are constantly reviewed, errors such as outdated names, mistaken identifications and erroneous collection event information do occur in our database. Investigators should verify identifications by examination of specimens.
Please contact the collections manager for information related to the invertebrate biology collection.