Table 6.7 Animals in collections.
Animal group Secondary group Type of specimens in natural history collections Derived materials found in museum collections
Invertebrates With hard parts (mollusks, corals, etc.) Dry shells, wet-preserved animals Pearls, shell (M-of-p), coral, sponges
Invertebrates Insects Pinned or mounted dry insects, wet Butterfly wings, beetles (scarabs)
Vertebrates Mammals Study skins, pelts, mounted specimens (taxidermy), whole or partial skeletons, teeth, wet-preserved animals, parts, or stomach contents, eggs, nests Ivory, ruminant horn, rhino horn, antler, bone, claws, skin (leather, vellum), hair (bristles, quills, fur) hooves
Vertebrates Fish Whole or partial skeletons, teeth, wet-preserved animals, parts, or stomach contents Scales
Vertebrates Reptiles and amphibians Study skins, mounted specimens (taxidermy), whole or partial skeletons, wet-preserved animals or parts Tortoise shell, teeth, skin
Vertebrates Birds Study skins, mounted specimens (taxidermy), whole or partial skeletons, wet-preserved animals or parts Feathers, down, beaks, feet