Ostracod specimens from the Museum’s collection
The Museum’s collection of fossil and recent (living) ostracods includes 20,000 single specimen mounts and many faunal slides.
100,000 20,000
Slides Single specimen mounts
Strengths
Over half of the collection is from the UK, but it also includes material from across the globe.
The collection covers the entire geological history of the Ostracoda, from the Ordovician to the present and is particularly strong in material from the:
- Carboniferous
- Jurassic
- Cretaceous
- Eocene
The type and figured collection
The type and figured collection:
- contains about 100,000 slides
- is referred to in more than 600 scientific publications
- is particularly strong in Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Pliocene to present-day material
The type and figured collection and associated slides have been arranged stratigraphically, with individual named slides and assemblage slides kept together.
Search the fossil and recent ostracod database
Large donated collections
The Hull University Collection, former British Petroleum microfossil collection and former Aberystwyth micropalaeontological collection are kept separate from the main type and figured ostracod collection.
Former British Petroleum micropalaeontology collection
Contains the microfossil well-run samples from British Petroleum's exploration activities since the 1950s, including slides and residues from over 3,800 well and outcrop localities worldwide.
The collection includes:
- micropalaeontological slides
- palynological slides (c. 78,000)
- nannofossil slides
- faunal slides
- loose specimens
- residues
- the former British Petroleum microfossil reference collection (foraminifera and ostracoda)
Former Aberystwyth microfossil collection
The collection includes:
- a wide variety of studies covering many geological periods
- older studies of contemporary foraminifera assemblage
These provide a unique opportunity to revisit numerous settings and evaluate changes in foraminifera abundance and diversity over time.
Search the former Aberystwyth microfossil collection database
Looking for a specimen?
The ostracod collection is being digitised
Any questions ?
If you would like to use any specimens for research
Related information
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Holotomographic image of a Cretaceous ostracod with exceptionally well preserved soft anatomy. Image produced at the European Synchrotron Research Facility in Grenoble, France.
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SEM image showing the carapace and external features of the appendages of Harbinia micropapillosa
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Ostracods from the Jurassic period
Collections on the move
We have set out on an ambitious programme to develop a new collections, science and digitisation centre. As we prepare for the move, access to some collections will be affected.
Accessing the collections
Scientists and collections management specialists can visit the collections and borrow specimens for research.
Collections management
Our duty is to provide a safe and secure environment for all of our collections.