All biological collections are temporarily closed to researchers as we transition to new collection facilities.
When the collections reopen, they will be available for researchers and students. Access to the collections for onsite use is by appointment, and in some cases, specimens may be available for loan. All research requests must be reviewed and approved prior to the scheduling of an appointment.
The Museum’s biological collections include specimens and data across various fields of botany and zoology, continually updated through the acquisition of new flora and fauna from Northeast Ohio.
These collections are crucial for advancing scientific understanding in taxonomy, ecology, and evolutionary biology. They provide essential data for studying species diversity, understanding ecological interactions, and monitoring changes in biodiversity. By preserving and cataloging specimens, these collections support ongoing research, facilitate comparative studies, and contribute to conservation efforts.
Herbarium
The Museum’s herbarium houses more than 75,000 plant specimens. Although it contains specimens from nearly every state in the United States and many from around the world, research is mainly focused on the flora of Northeast Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania.
Entomology
The Museum’s entomology collection houses approximately 350,000 specimens, primarily from the northeastern United States and collected beginning in the early 1900s. A subset of the Museum’s holdings is global in coverage and includes tropical beetles, butterflies, and other insects. Holdings include the largest praying mantis (Mantodea) collection in the Western Hemisphere—totaling more than 14,000 specimens.
Malacology
The Museum’s malacology collection houses primarily freshwater shell specimens. Because many of the specimens were collected before 1970, the collection represents an important historical record of shelled organisms prior to widespread depletion of naturally occurring populations.
Ichthyology
The ichthyology collection primarily represents Northeast Ohio, consisting of more than 13,700 jars of specimens collected from regional watersheds and Lake Erie. Some specimens in the collection date back to the 1800s.
Herpetology
The herpetology collection contains 13,150 cataloged entries, mostly fluid-preserved specimens, and around 100 dry turtle shells and reptile skeletons. The collection's emphasis on amphibians reflects departmental research initiatives, including the acquisition of the large R.A. Pfingsten collection of Ohio salamanders.
Mammalogy
The mammalogy collection includes approximately 19,000 specimens, primarily study skins with skulls from the Americas. It also includes an osteology section with skulls and post-cranial material from both the Americas and Africa.
Ornithology
The ornithology collection contains approximately 35,000 research specimens from around the world, dating from the 1830s to the present. The majority of specimens are study skins, with more recent acquisitions (since 2006) including spread wings and frozen tissue samples. The collection also houses approximately 3,000 skeletons and 3,400 nests and eggs.
Invertebrates
A collection of crayfish comprises approximately 1,100 jars, with most specimens collected from Ohio.
