Natural History Collections
The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to the largest Natural History Collections of endemic, native and introduced species of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.
Natural History Collections
The Collections
Our Natural History Collections (Collections) consist of four collections comprising more than 135,000 specimens from over 7,500 species. The Collections were created to provide a long-term resource for the study of biodiversity, taxonomy, and speciation of the organisms that make up the natural living laboratory that is the Galapagos Islands.
As custodians of the Collections for the Government of Ecuador, we are dedicated to the maintenance and improvement of this unique resource.
Galapagos Species Database
Information about the species from our Collections is available online.A Treasure Trove of Knowledge and Discovery
From ant specimens to the Galapagos dove, the Collections provide an unparalleled record of Galapagos biodiversity and species occurrence that stretches back over 60 years. They serve not only as a repository of known species, but also as a reservoir of historic information on distributions and ranges, and possible new identifications waiting to be processed that could lead to the discovery of new species for science.
Juan Manuel Garcia-CDF
Sample Specimens for the Public
In addition to scientific research, Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) also frequently selects a sampling of the Collection and makes them available to visitors, students, and residents in the Charles Darwin Exhibition Hall, and through the Traveling Collections which brings the Collections to schools across the archipelago. Special non-researcher requests to access the broader Collections can also be made through Special and VIP visits to the CDRS campus.
To provide everyone another “peek” into this extensive and valuable resource of endemic, native and introduced flora and fauna of the Galapagos, we asked our curators to share with us their favorite specimen!
A selection of the Collections is on display in the Charles Darwin Exhibition Hall which is open to the public.
Meet Our Curators and Their Collections
Patricia Jaramillo Diaz
Curator of the Herbarium Collection
My interest: I have a keen interest in taxonomy, phylogeny, and interactions between plants and animals.
My favorite species: I explore the fascinating endemic genera of the Galapagos, such as Darwiniothamanus, Lecocarpus, and Scalesia, but after 25 years of study, I still perceive that a lifetime of discovery lies ahead.
What I like most about my job: Tracing each collector's footsteps, including Darwin's, and expeditions across the Galapagos gifts me knowledge of the unique flora of the Galapagos which I hope to share with our youths and future generations through books - ensuring they understand the importance of preserving our valuable biodiversity.
About the herbarium
The Herbarium is home to the world’s largest botanical collection of the Galapagos with over 47,000 specimens and 3,600+ species. Each year, around 1,000 new specimens are added.
The majority of these specimens are native to the Galapagos Islands. However, the Herbarium also includes invasive species that are now a part of the Galapagos flora, and specimens of plants from the Ecuadorian mainland which are a resource for studies of diversity and can aid in identification.
The study of older specimens, especially species that are now extinct, provides many insights including how climate change is reflected in the phenology of plants.
Miguel Pinto
Principal Coordinator of CDRS Collections
Curator of the Vertebrate Collection
My interests: I am interested in the evolution of mammals and their parasites.
My favorite species: My favorite species are the rice rats of Fernandina Island; two endemic species that coexist in a pristine island with an active volcano.
What I love about my job: Being able to study the biodiversity of the Galapagos, and show visitors examples of evolution on the islands.
About the Vertebrate Collection
The Vertebrate Collection consists of over 2,500 specimens from 170+ species, including amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Specimens include the bones of Lonesome George, penguins and albatrosses. The Collection also preserves extinct species such as one of Darwin's finch species, the Large Ground Finch from Floreana Island, as well as giant tortoises from Pinta, Floreana and Santa Fe islands.
Cataloging of vertebrates is limited as the collection of vertebrate specimens can only occur if an organism is found dead or is injured and unable to be rehabilitated. All specimens are collected with prior authorization from the Galapagos National Park.
Lenyn Betancourt
Curator of the Terrestrial Invertebrate Collection
My interests: I am interested in the study and conservation of amblypygids, centipedes, scorpions, solifuges, spiders, insects, and land snails.
My favorite specimen: My favorite specimen from the Galapagos Islands is the endemic land snail Naesiotus cavagnaroi, collected by The Templeton Crocker Expedition of the California Academy of Sciences in 1932. This particular specimen holds a unique connection to the social and human history of the islands.
What I love about my job: It has to be the opportunity to study our collection, including a large number of specimens collected by famous scientists, and share knowledge with the children and youth of the Galapagos to cultivate their appreciation and active contribution to the conservation our valuable ecosystem.
About the Terrestrial Invertebrate Collection
51% of the biodiversity in the Galapagos consists of insects, so it is no surprise that the Terrestrial Invertebrate Collection is the largest of the Natural History Collections. It contains over 75,000 specimens from 1,700+ species, of which the Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and Formicidae (ants) form the largest part of the collection.
Because of the delicacy and age of the specimens, some 50 years old or more, the collection is maintained under strict temperature and humidity controls.
More about the Terrestrial Invertebrate Collection in the Research Hub.
Paulina Sepa-Egas
Curator of the Marine Collection
My interests: It is fascinating to observe how even the smallest organisms play a fundamental role in the balance of their environment.
My favorite species: It must be the chimaeras of the deep sea. I am fascinated by their unique morphology and peculiar appearance, which presents a magnificent combination resembling parts of different animals. Moreover, little is known about them in the Galapagos, which adds to my curiosity.
What I love about my job: I enjoy the opportunity to delve into marine groups present in the Galápagos Marine Reserve, and share our discoveries with fellow researchers. Especially as each specimen contributes a unique narrative that enhances the understanding and preservation of the marine world.
About the Marine Collection
Initiated in 2008, the Marine Collection is the youngest of the Natural History Collections, and currently has over 12,300 specimens and 1,900+ species of marine organisms.
Specimens are added in the course of field work by staff of CDRS and associated organizations. Some of the newest specimens in the collection have been added from recent explorations of seamounts within the Galapagos Marine Reserve and include several species suspected to be new to science; the identification process is underway.
Collected fossil coral for past climate change studies to model future climate change patterns. Specimens of the deep sea coral reef found in the Reserve in April 2023.
More about the Terrestrial Invertebrate Collection in the Research Hub.
Juan Manuel Garcia-CDF
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
You can visit our Natural History Collections in our special behind-the-scenes tours as part of our Special and VIP visiting packages in exchange for a donation. This can include a talk with a scientist of your choice or our Head Curator. Donation packages vary by visit type.
Rashid Cruz-CDF
Traveling Collections
As stewards of the Galapagos Islands' most extensive Natural History Collections, it is our responsibility to share this invaluable resource with our local community.
In 2023, we initiated a program to take our collections directly to schools through engaging educational activities. Our aim is to ignite curiosity about science, and foster a deeper understanding of the conservation of their unique home.
Andres Cruz
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