Breadcrumb
UCM Natural History Collections
Discover the extraordinary biodiversity housed within the University of Central Missouri’s Natural History Collections. As the state’s official fish repository, UCM works closely with the Missouri Department of Conservation and other organizations to preserve 25,000+ ichthyological specimens for research. In addition, our university offers sizable collections of insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and plants to support academic study and fieldwork across the biological sciences.
UCM’s extensive curation of these specimens provides a snapshot of regional and global biodiversity. Whether you’re a student, researcher or nature enthusiast, our collections offer a window into the natural world.
ContactsDr. Scott Lankford Glenda Carmack |
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Collections
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IchthyologyWith more than 25,000 specimens, UCM houses Missouri’s fish repository, meaning we collect, preserve and curate samples of the state’s vast array of fish. This collection supports research and study as well as the monitoring, assessment and conservation of the state’s waterways and their inhabitants. The repository operates in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation and other entities. Curator: Dr. Aaron Geheber, Associate Professor of Biology
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Entomology
UCM’s entomology collection currently contains 26,000 specimens available for research. The collection includes taxonomic representations for many treehopper species that can be found locally and across the U.S. It is currently expanding to include U.S. meloids, pollinators (including butterflies) and prairie species of Missouri.
Curator: Dr. Daniel Marschalek, Associate Professor of Biology
Contact Information: marschalek@ucmo.edu | 660-543-8880
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OrnithologyOur ornithology collection features more than 1,000 items – including eggs, mounts and skins. It includes a variety of bird specimens representing Missouri and the surrounding region, along with select species from other parts of the U.S. The collection’s full taxidermy mounts and study skins provide valuable resources for research, teaching and species identification. Curator: Dr. Kurtis Dean, Associate Professor of Biology
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Mammalogy
The university’s mammalogy collection includes more than 2,000 specimens, with a strong emphasis on mammals native to Missouri. It also contains a small number of specimens from outside the region, including a limited number of Dipodomys (kangaroo rats) and other exotics, supporting comparative study and broader ecological insight.
Curator: Dr. Daniel Wolcott, Associate Professor of Biology
Contact Information: wolcott@ucmo.edu | 660-543-4238
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HerpetologyOur herpetology collection includes approximately 1,900 specimens representing amphibians and reptiles from Missouri, across the U.S. and around the world. Highlights include multiple Eastern Hellbenders, one of North America’s largest salamanders and a species of growing conservation concern. This diverse collection supports teaching, research and conservation efforts focused on herpetofaunal diversity and ecology. Curator: Dr. Jennifer Mittelhauser, Senior Instructor
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Botany
UCM’s expansive botany collection features 17,000 items. Its herbarium collection primarily comprises plant species surveyed across West Central Missouri, representing tallgrass prairie and adjacent woodland and grassland ecosystems. It includes both native and exotic species.
Curator: Dr. Zhe Ren, Assistant Professor of Biology
Contact Information: ren@ucmo.edu | 660-543-4504
