In a monumental achievement for scientific research, the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (UMMZ) has expanded its collection to house the world’s largest repository of snake specimens. The recent acquisition, which includes approximately 30,000 preserved snakes, marks a significant milestone for the UMMZ, known for its commitment to biodiversity studies and ecological research.
The UMMZ recently received tens of thousands of reptile and amphibian specimens, catapulting its overall collection to nearly half a million specimens, with an impressive 70,000 snake specimens. This substantial addition positions the UMMZ as the global leader in snake research collections, showcasing its dedication to advancing scientific knowledge in the field.
The acquisition, sourced from Oregon State University, encompasses more than 100 boxes filled with jarred snakes, lizards, salamanders, newts, frogs, and turtles. This scientific treasure trove is now housed at U-M’s Research Museums Center, a sprawling 153,375 square feet facility that consolidates various collections under one roof.
Evolutionary biologist Dan Rabosky, a curator at UMMZ, emphasizes that the museum’s capacity to manage a collection of this magnitude sets it apart. He compares the UMMZ to a “giant scientific instrument,” actively contributing to understanding life on Earth and its interconnectedness.
This acquisition, a lifetime work of retired professors Stevan Arnold and Lynne Houck from Oregon State University, primarily focuses on garter snakes, water snakes, woodland salamanders, and dusky salamanders. The collaboration between the Arnold/Houck collection and the UMMZ is seen as an unprecedented merging of scientific expertise, creating a “super-collection.”
Researchers at the UMMZ utilize collections like these to address crucial evolutionary questions, including the formation of new species, the evolution of reptiles and amphibians, and the diversity of venomous snakes. The recent influx of specimens, including approximately 30,000 frozen tissue samples, will facilitate advanced genetic studies to understand evolutionary changes and population adaptations.
While digitization initiatives have enhanced specimen accessibility worldwide, Rabosky asserts that physical specimens remain irreplaceable. The UMMZ’s responsibility as custodians of this unparalleled scientific information underscores the significant impact it can have on biodiversity studies and ecological research.
Greg Schneider, research collections manager for the zoology museum, underscores the rarity of many specimens being from sets of related individuals, allowing researchers to explore genetic questions that were previously impossible. Schneider and his team, along with U-M students, played a vital role in unpacking and shelving the newly acquired specimens, turning this scientific delivery into a historic moment for the UMMZ.
