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Auburn University > COSAM > Collections > Invertebrates > Collection

Invertebrates Collection

 

 

 

    

Research Staff



Dr. Jack W. Feminella, Curator.  101 Rouse Life Sciences Building
                                        Voice:(334)844-3906  Email: feminjw@auburn.edu

Dr. Brian S. Helms, Collections Manager.  102B Physiology Building
                                        Voice:(334)844-7345  Email: helmsbs@auburn.edu

Dr. Michael M. Gangloff, Research Affiliate.  Appalachian State University
                                        Voice:(334)844-7345   Email: ganglmm@auburn.edu
                                       

Emily Hartfield, Graduate Research Assistant.  331 Funchess Hall 
                                        Voice:                            Email: hartfee@auburn.edu

Tyler Mosley, Graduate Research Assistant.  South Auburn Fisheries Research Station 
                                        Voice:(334)844-7345 Email: mosletl@auburn.edu

Brad Schneid, Graduate Research Assistant.  331 Funchess Hall 
                                        Voice:                            Email: bps0002@auburn.edu

Sue Reithel,  Graduate Research Assistant.  331 Funchess Hall 
                                        Voice:                            Email: sar0008@auburn.edu

 

Brad Staton, Technician.  South Auburn Fisheries Research Station 
                                        Voice:(334)749-2273 Email: statobv@auburn.edu

 



    
Jack W. Feminella Ph.D.
Curator		 feminjw@auburn.edu Personal Home Page



Brian S. Helms, Ph.D.      Collections Manager helmsbs@auburn.edu Personal Home Page

 

Aelliotii.jpg

Pleurobema decisum
Big Canoe Creek St. Clair Co., AL

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Holdings

The state of Alabama historically supported North America's most diverse invertebrate fauna.  This diversity is most notable among the freshwater and terrestrial Mollusca.  Approximately 200 of the 300 known species of North American freshwater mussels have been reported from the waters of Alabama, and these systems once supported nearly 250 species of aquatic snails.  Additionally, there are 85 species of crayfish in Alabama, the highest of any state in the US.  Unfortunately, this spectacular biodiversity has been severely compromised by human activities.  Modification of large river systems has resulted in substantial habitat loss, and many aquatic species now have highly fragmented distributions. 

 

In 1999 we began to accumulate material from Alabama's populations of mollusks and other aquatic invertebrates.  Presently, the Invertebrate Collection contains >20,000 catalogued lots.  The Invertebrate Collection is located (along with the Fish, Mammal, and Paleo-herpetelogical collections) in the Physiology Building.  The collection is searchable on-line through a secure server using FileMaker (GO TO SEARCH).


The mission of the Auburn University Natural History Museum (AUNHM) is to serve as a research and teaching resource for scientists and students interested in the spectacular biodiversity of the southeastern United States.  The AUNHM gratefully accepts material from agencies, consulting firms, and private or amateur collectors.  We will gladly identify specimens provided some material is included for assimilation into the collection.  The AUNHM is a public resource and access to and deposition of material into all collections is provided free of charge.  For more information regarding data use and visiting the Invertebrate collections please contact the Invertebrate Collection Manager, Dr. Brian Helms (helmsbs@auburn.edu).

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Lampsilis ornata                                                 Cambarus coosae
Uphapee Creek, Macon Co., AL                           Hatchett Creek, Tallapoosa Co., AL


Shoalcreek.jpg
Shoal Creek
Cleburne Co., Alabama


Loans

Loans of specimens are made to researchers and students associated with recognized institutions or to others with adequate credentials. For a loan of materials, please contact the Collection manager .

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Physiology Building 203 - the Invertebrate Collection

Outreach

The Invertebrate Collection is committed to raising public awareness of the incredible diversity and ecological importance of aquatic invertebrates.  Museum staff regularly organize and/or participate in outreach activities ranging from museum tours and demonstrations to field trips and summer camps.  Requests for classroom visits and workshops are welcome.  For inquiries about outreach possibilities, please contact the Collection manager .

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Museum staff and students bug hunting in Choctafaula Creek, Macon Co., AL.

Projects

Museum staff is involved in multiple field-, lab-, and museum-based research projects.  These include broad-scale studies, such as developing regional curves and biological endpoints for Alabama streams, as well as fine-scale studies, such as investigating the burrowing abilities of various crayfish species.  See our Research page for a list of our current and past projects, or contact the Collection manager for further information.

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Field crew collecting crayfish on Hatchett Creek, Tallapoosa Co., AL.

Students/Volunteers

The research staff sponsor students in a wide variety of roles from graduate students, to undergraduate students seeking research experience, to volunteers to contribute to various aspects of collection maintenance.  Graduate students and undergraduates should consult the faculty home pages to determine which research program is right for you.

 

Volunteers are needed for collection maintenance.  We encourage all those interested in learning how to curate a significant museum collection to contact the Collection manager.  The experience gained in collections maintenance will help students prepare for jobs and graduate school.

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