Invertebrates - Policies

Visiting the Invertebrate Zoology Collection

The Invertebrate Zoology (IZ) Collection serves as a repository for basic and applied research of mollusks and all other extant invertebrates (including urochordates) exclusive of insects, arachnids, and myriapods. The collection and library housed within Invertebrate Zoology is used by scientists, students, and stakeholders from around the world. However, we cannot accommodate unannounced visitors. All visitors including Research Associates are requested to arrange visits at least two weeks in advance by contacting the collection of interest:

Marine Bivalvia & Gastropoda: Rüdiger Bieler - Curator, Invertebrate Zoology

Cephalopoda & Deep-Sea taxa: Janet Voight - Curator, Invertebrate Zoology

Freshwater taxa & all other groups not listed: Sean Keogh - Collections Manager, Invertebrate Zoology

See the Visitor Information Guide for more information.

Request a Specimen Loan

Submit loan requests to the Collection Manager. In a single email, include your full name (if you are a student or postdoctoral researcher, include your advisor or permanent faculty member, their name, and position), position, institution, shipping address, phone number, a detailed description of your proposed research project including the data to be collected from loaned specimens, and the taxa and number of specimens requested (please use our online database served at FMNH and/or GBIF). Loan requests are reviewed by the Invertebrate Zoology Collections Administrative Team (CAT).

See the complete Loan Policy for more information.