How is the collection arranged?

How do I check things out to my lab?

Search online data: a selection of published material or via the new interface in development (with kudos to Brian Simison).

What kinds of data are associated with the specimens?

How do I write field notes?
 
 

Our VP collections are arranged by the temporal and geographic units that describe the locality, and by taxon within locality. Due to historical factors, the heirarchical arrangement of the Cenozoic and Paleozoic/Mesozoic differ slightly.
 
 

UCMP has one of the most data-rich collections in the country and maintains these data in a series of linked databases. Expressed in its simplest form, the databases maintain information on a a variety of physical items that contribute to the scientific study of vertebrate paleontology.  These include:

• the geographic location where a specimen was found backed up by physical topographic maps;
• the actual collecting event, which is substantiated in field notes and supplemental locality data;
• taxonomic information and a basic descriptor of the specimen itself; and
• publication information.

Specimens can be checked out to faculty labs or the prep lab by use of the "blue card." Faculty members are ultimately responsible for items checked out by their students.

• "Blue cards" --actually a tag indicating specimen withdrawn--is to be used anytime a specimen is removed from the collections.  Blank forms are often present in the collections, but extras are always found in my mailbox.
• For each specimen removed, fill in the blanks on the tag.
• Put the tag in a box of the same size as the one you are removing and put the box and tag in the place from which you are removing the specimen.  This simple act lets other researchers know where the specimen is now located, assures there will be a space for the specimen when it is later returned, and helps you know where the specimen belongs at that time.
• Don't "blue-card" items from the teaching collection unless you also place a tag in the main collections as well. Most items in the teaching collection were originally checked out from the main collection.
• Do remember that this is an honor system.  Removing specimens without "blue-carding" them is inconsiderate to other members of the UCMP and professional community and is functionally no different from stealing specimens.

updated Sept 1999 pah