Biological Collections
The CSULB Biological Collections include approximately 55,000 preserved fish, birds, mammals, and plants. These organisms are preserved on archival paper, microscope slides, in alcohol, or as skeletons, skins, or taxidermied mounts.
Our collections are used for scientific research on environmental quality, conservation, species diversity, species relationships, animal behavior, development, and other topics. They are also used for laboratory instruction of CSULB students and in educational displays for visitors.
Mission
To make the CSULB curated collections data and specimens available to researchers and educators in the biological sciences.
Vision
Our collections are a storehouse of information and are most valuable when they are shared among researchers and educators in the greater biological sciences community. Over the next few years, we intend to improve the significance of our collections by bringing them up to modern curatorial standards and increasing their accessibility and visibility to the global community by providing digital access to data; and by continuing to acquire new, high quality specimens for both education and research.
The following contains information about each collection, how to request education visits to the collection, and how to make loan and information requests regarding the collection.
The bird collection has ~4,100 specimens preserved as study skins. Most specimens are Southern California birds, with a variety of non-local taxa represented by specimens from other United States regions, northwestern Mexico, zoos, and a few localities in continents and islands worldwide. A separately housed teaching collection is used for Vertebrate Zoology and Marine Biology classes.
Educational Visits
University and local educational groups can schedule a visit to the teaching laboratory to learn about the diversity of species. Please contact the Biological Sciences Department at biology@csulb.edu for more information.
Loan and Information Requests
Please contact the Biological Sciences Department at biology@csulb.edu with any requests for specimen data, loans, or destructive sampling.
Specimens loaned for research should be acknowledged by catalog number in any subsequent publications, reports, presentations or GenBank submissions. Specimens loaned for education should be credited to CSULB in text accompanying the educational display. Loaned specimens may only be used for the purpose outlined in the original request and written permission must be obtained for any use outside of the original scope (including transfer of CSULB specimens to third parties). Specimens on loan should be returned to CSULB using the same packing containers and materials, shipping method, and insurance value unless other arrangements are made with the CSULB Biological Sciences Department.
The fish collection has 2,300 lots containing 21,000 specimens preserved in isopropanol or ethanol. About half of the lots have locality and date data, and these are mainly from the marine waters of southern California, northeastern Mexico, and Mississippi, and the fresh waters of southern California. The remainder of the specimens lack detailed data and cover a worldwide array of taxa. A separately housed teaching collection is used for Vertebrate Zoology and Ichthyology courses.
Educational Visits
University and local educational groups can schedule visits to the teaching laboratory to learn about the diversity of species. Please contact the Biological Sciences Department at biology@csulb.edu for more information.
Loan and Information Requests
Please contact the Biological Sciences Department at biology@csulb.edu with any requests for specimen data, loans, or destructive sampling.
Specimens loaned for research should be acknowledged by catalog number in any subsequent publications, reports, presentations or GenBank submissions. Specimens loaned for education should be credited to CSULB in text accompanying the educational display. Loaned specimens may only be used for the purpose outlined in the original request and written permission must be obtained for any use outside of the original scope (including transfer of CSULB specimens to third parties). Specimens on loan should be returned to CSULB using the same packing containers and materials, shipping method, and insurance value unless other arrangements are made with the CSULB Biological Sciences Department.
The mammal collection has ~12,000 specimens preserved as study skins, skulls, skeletons, and fluid preprations. The vast majority of the specimens are regional, with a focus on rodents of Southern California, Utah, and northwestern Mexico. The collection includes vouchers from systematic and parasitological studies of CSULB faculty. A separately housed teaching collection is used for Vertebrate Zoology, Mammalogy, and Introductory Biology classes.
Curator
Dr. Theodore Stankowich
Theodore.Stankowich@csulb.edu
562.985.4826
Stankowich Research Lab
Educational Visits
University and local educational groups can schedule visits to the teaching laboratory to learn about the diversity of species. Please contact the curator for more information.
Loan and Information Requests
Please contact the curator with any requests for specimen data, loans, or destructive sampling.
Specimens loaned for research should be acknowledged by catalog number in any subsequent publications, reports, presentations or GenBank submissions. Specimens loaned for education should be credited to CSULB in text accompanying the educational display. Loaned specimens may only be used for the purpose outlined in the original request and written permission must be obtained for any use outside of the original scope (including transfer of CSULB specimens to third parties). Specimens on loan should be returned to CSULB using the same packing containers and materials, shipping method, and insurance value unless other arrangements are made with the CSULB Biological Sciences Department.
The herbarium has approximately 15,000 specimens preserved as dried, pressed specimens. We are a permanent scientific repository registered with Index Herbariorum and use the acronym LOB. We are also a member of the Consortium of California Herbaria (CCH).
Nearly 70% of our specimens are Southern California native plants with a focus on Los Angeles County and Orange County. Fourteen percent of the specimens are from North Carolina. Important collections include former curator Phil Baker's North American specimens and Jim Shevock's vouchers for his M.A. thesis titled "A vascular flora of Lloyd Meadows Basin, Sequoia National Forest, Tulare County, California."
The collection is used in Introductory Biology, Plant Ecology, Plant Morphology, and Plant Systematics classes.
Curator
Dr. Amanda Fisher
562.985.4814
Amanda.Fisher@csulb.edu
Loan and Information Requests
Please contact the curator with any requests for specimen data, loans, or destructive sampling.
Searchable Database
All databased records are available through the California Phenology Symbiota Portal.
