University of Alberta Museums IPT

University of Alberta E. H. Strickland Entomological Museum (UASM) - Version 17.120

whittome@ualberta.ca (Jim Whittome) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:07:42 -0600

The E. H. Strickland Entomological Museum houses approximately one million specimens. The research collection includes principally Nearctic insects, representing most orders and the major families thereof. The beetle family Carabidae is especially well represented: included are about 400,000 specimens mainly from the Nearctic region, but with an important Neotropical component, and fewer taxa from the remaining biogeographic regions of the world. The moths and butterflies, order Lepidoptera, with over 65,000 specimens, about half of which are from Alberta localities, are another group of major interest.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium (ALTA-VP) - Version 10.108

whittome@ualberta.ca (Jim Whittome) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:33:38 -0600

The Vascular Plant Herbarium is a research and teaching resource for the study of evolution, diversity, distribution and ecology of cordilleran, prairie, arctic and alpine plants. It is the largest herbarium of its kind in Alberta, and the third largest in Western Canada. Founded in 1912, the herbarium holds more than 120,000 specimens dating from 1835 to the present and is built upon the collecting activities of faculty members and students, as well as the acquisition of outstanding amateur collections. Though global in scope, the strength of the collection lies in plants of Alberta and northern Canada.

University of Alberta Museum of Zoology Ornithology Collection (UAMZ) - Version 2.125

smcdouga@ualberta.ca (Seamus McDougall) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:40:56 -0600

The Ornithology Collection contains more than 7,000 bird specimens from around the world, with strong representation from Western Canada. The collection primarily consists of whole bird skins, numerous skeletons, striking mounted birds, and a collection of eggs, beaks, feet and wings. There are many rare and historically important specimens, representing species now endangered. The collection is used for teaching and research, and is valued for its potential in genetic analysis as many species in Alberta are at the northern or western limit of their range.

University of Alberta Museum of Zoology Mammalogy Collection (UAMZ) - Version 2.124

smcdouga@ualberta.ca (Seamus McDougall) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:30:43 -0600

With more than 10,000 specimens representing 16 orders and 76 families, the Mammalogy Collection's taxonomic and geographic scope spans the planet, with strong representation from Northwestern Canada. The collection consists primarily of skins and skulls, with additional skeletal and fluid-preserved specimens. There are many rare and historically important specimens. The collection is used for teaching and research.

University of Alberta Freshwater Invertebrate Collection (UAFIC) - Version 1.128

bbrunet@ualberta.ca (Bryan Brunet) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:21:10 -0600

The Freshwater Invertebrate Collection is an active resource in ecology and systematics representing Alberta and Western Canada. The specimens (more than 5000 lots) are used as vouchers and to assess ecological change, and the collection provides the foundation for researchers studying bodies of water that have undergone major transformations. Faculty and graduate students working on rivers, streams and lakes continue to add to the collection.

University of Alberta Museum of Zoology Ichthyology Collection (UAMZ) - Version 2.127

smcdouga@ualberta.ca (Seamus McDougall) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:11:38 -0600

The Ichthyology (Fish) Collection contains more than 200,000 specimens, representing 40 orders and more than 200 families. The collection contains a wide variety of primitive and advanced fish from around the world as well as a comprehensive collection from Alberta. The majority of specimens are preserved in alcohol, with a number of mounted skeletons and cleared and stained samples that allow skeletal structures to be visible. This resource is used extensively for research by graduate students and faculty, supporting the study of fish systematics and biodiversity.

University of Alberta Museum of Zoology Amphibian and Reptile Collection (UAMZ) - Version 2.123

bbrunet@ualberta.ca (Bryan Brunet) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:44 -0600

The Amphibian and Reptile Collection is an active teaching and research resource containing approximately 4,000 specimens. It holds the largest collection of preserved reptiles and amphibians from Alberta, as well as many exotic specimens from North America and around the world. The collection has been instrumental in monitoring various reptile and amphibian populations, and has helped University of Alberta researchers take action on the declining Northern Leopard Frogs and Canadian Toad populations.