INSECT COLLECTION
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The Entomology Department acquired the UNLV Biology Department insect collection in 1993. Since then, The collection has tripled in size. We maintain regional collections of all groups of invertebrates. Our areas of concern are the Northwest Mojave Desert and adjacent Great Basin and Sonoran Deserts including their montane habitats. Our collecting activities are concentrated within this region.
COLLECTION
The entire collection has been entered into a computerized database, and the majority of it has been identified to levels useful by specialists working in the groups involved, in most cases, to include over 20,000 specimens that have been identified. 11,000 pinned, 9,000 in alcohol, and several hundred slide mounts. An additional 10,000 specimens identified to the Family level bring the collection to around 30,000 specimens. The collection on non-marine mollusks includes 3,500 collection lots, containing 33,000 dry specimens and 2,000 in alcohol. Our identifying coden is MBMC. We are actively collecting in the region, adding 2,000 to 3,000 specimens annually.
EXCHANGES
We will be happy to discuss exchanges with other institutions and serious collectors. Inquiries should be addressed to the Curator of Entomology, Dr. William Pratt.
IDENTIFICATIONS
We make identifications of materials brought in by the public as received. Researchers and students seeking identifications within the curator's specialty group of Orthoptera (s.lat.) should correspond before sending materials. Ecological contractors seeking identifications will be referred to the Director of Finance to discuss terms.
CURATOR
William Pratt received his B.S.c. and M.A. from the University of Texas at Arlington and his PhD. from the University of Arizona. His research interests are the Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, and allies) on the broad sense, and the zoogeography of invertebrates in the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin.
Curatorial Inquiries should be addressed to:
Will Pratt
Marjorie Barrick Museum, UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Parkway Box 454012
Las Vegas NV 89154-4012
Phone: (702) 895-1403
Fax: (702) 895-3094
E-Mail: prattw@unlv.nevada.edu