Vertebrate Collection

The Natural History collections contain many rare and unusual specimens, including specimens used to describe new species (Types). Some specimens, particularly insects, date from the late 18th century. The Vertebrate collections, however, were mostly collected between 1873 and 1891.

Birds

Distribution: The bird collections comprise over 9000 specimens of mostly Australian species. Exceptions to this include specimens from;

Africa, Argentina, Atlantic Ocean, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Europe, Fiji, France, French Guyana, Germany, Ghana, Greenland, Guatemala, Honduras, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Trinidad, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia.

Form: The specimens are represented by a variety of forms which include studyskins, mounted specimens, skeletons, eggs and nests.

Significance: Most Australian specimens were collected on the east coast, including Tasmania. Exceptions include King George Sound and Kings Sound in Western Australia and Darwin. The majority of specimens was collected between 1873 and 1891.

The collection is well documented and computer catalogued.

Mammals

Distribution: The Mammal collections comprise over 1500 specimens of mostly Australian species. Exceptions to this include specimens from;

Africa, Alaska, America (North and South), Arctic, Asia, Bismarck Archipelago, Canada, Fiji, Guatemala, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Malagasy Republic, Malaysia, New Guinea, New Zealand, and Solomon Islands.

Form: The specimens are represented by a variety of forms which include studyskins, mounted specimens, skeletons and alcohol preserved specimens, (in particular, a large collection of embryonic forms).

Significance: Most Australian specimens were collected on the east coast, including Tasmania. Exceptions include King George Sound and Kings Sound in Western Australia and Darwin. The majority of specimens were collected between 1873 and 1891.

The collection is well documented and computer catalogued.

Reptiles

Distribution: The reptile collections include over 1370 specimens of snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles and tortoises, mostly from Australia. The Museum also has specimens from;

Africa, America (North and South), Asia, China, Cuba, Europe, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, New Caladonia, New Guinea, New Hebrides, New Ireland, New Zealand, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Sea Islands, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Torres Strait, Vanuatu.

Significance: Most Australian specimens were collected on the east coast, including Tasmania. Exceptions include King George Sound and Kings Sound in Western Australia and Darwin. The majority of specimens were collected between 1873 and 1891.

The collection is well documented and computer catalogued.

Fish

Distribution: The fish collections comprise over 1570 specimens of mostly Australian species. Exceptions to this include specimens from;

Americas, California, England, Espirito Santo, Europe, Fiji, Friendly Islands, India, Indian Ocean, Macassar, Mediterranean Sea, Moluccas, Navigator Island, New Ireland, New Zealand, North Sea, Perak Samoa, San Christoval, Sweden, and Torres Strait.

Forms: The specimens are represented by a variety of forms which include, alcohol preserved mounted skins, jaws and skeletons.

Significance: Most Australian specimens were collected on the east coast, including Tasmania. Exceptions include King George Sound and Kings Sound in Western Australia and Darwin. The majority of specimens were collected between 1873 and 1891.

The collection is well documented and computer catalogued.

Amphibians

Distribution: The amphibian collection comprises over 1000 specimens of mostly Australian species. Exceptions to this include specimens from;

America (North), Ceylon, England, India, Japan and New Guinea.

Form: The specimens are all preserved in alcohol.

Significance: Most Australian specimens were collected on the east coast, including Tasmania. Exceptions include King George Sound and Kings Sound in Western Australia and Darwin. The majority of specimens were collected between 1873 and 1891.

The collection is well documented and computer catalogued.

Others

The Macleay Museum collections also include collections of Fossils, Corals, Sponges, Molluscs and a diverse variety of Marine Invertebrates. These collections to date have not been extensively catalogued. Most specimens appear to be from Australia.

Documentation of this part of the collection is continuing.

Related Exhibitions

Dodo - "Dead as a..." - exploding a myth