Skins

Skins in the MVZ bird collection are organized in the following hierarchy:

    1. Taxonomic down to species or subspecies (if polytypic)
    2. Geographic within the lowest taxonomic unit to the level of states/counties
    3. Geographic within a state/county from north to south and west to east
    4. Elevationally from low to high within an identical specific locality
    5. Chronologically within the same locality (including elevation) by day and month regardless of year
    6. Numerically by collector or MVZ catalog number if the locality and date are identical for a given taxon

The geographic arrangement is intended to allow curators and researchers to see how phenotypes (e.g., size, color, pattern) change in different geographic areas and associated environments. The chronological arrangement within a locality provides organization of skins by annual cycle (e.g., breeding, molting, wintering).

For more detail, see the section on skins under Installing Birds.

Refer to the following documents for guidance:

    1. Arrangement of Bird Families
    2. MVZ Bird Taxonomic Checklist (goes to subspecies level)
    3. Arrangement of Geography

Skeletons, Eggs & Nests

Skeletons, eggs, and nests are housed separately from the skins, and are organized in a different hierarchy that is similar to MVZ amphibians, reptiles, and mammals:

    1. Taxonomic down to family or subfamily (see Arrangement of Bird Families)
    2. Alphabetical within a family/subfamily by genus, then species within a genus, then subspecies within a species
    3. Alphabetical within the lowest taxonomic unit by country, then state/province within a country, then county within a state (for USA)
    4. Numerical within the lowest geographic unit by collector or MVZ catalog number

Fluid-preserved Whole Organisms

    1. Taxonomic down to family or subfamily
    2. Alphabetical within a family/subfamily by genus, then species within a genus, then subspecies within a species
    3. Alphabetical within the lowest taxonomic unit by country (non-USA), state, or county
    4. Numerical within the lowest geographic unit by collector or MVZ catalog number

The level of organization depends on how many jars there are for a given taxon. If all specimens of a taxon fit in one jar, then they are put in the same jar regardless of their geographic locality or number. If there are multiple jars of a given taxon, the specimens are divided among jars geographically and, if necessary, numerically to make it easy to find them.

Fluid-preserved Parts (syrinx, stomach content, parasites)

Fluid-preserved parts are arranged strictly numerically by MVZ catalog number. Parasites are stored separately from other kinds of parts such as syrinx or stomach contents.

Tissues

All tissues are barcoded and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks, where they are organized in boxes by MVZ catalog number within a given accession. Barcodes for tissue vials are scanned into Arctos and organized in a hierarchy of barcoded containers:

    1. Freezer
    2. Rack
    3. Rack slot
    4. Box
    5. Position
    6. Vial

Continue to Families ➡