More Collections
Entomology
Entomology
Entomology is a branch of zoology which studies where insects live and the impact of humans. Entomology can contribute to our understanding of evolution and towards medical research.
The Entomology Collection at Durham contains a variety of specimens, from beetles to spiders, and butterflies to moths. There are specimens from across the world, including this Gilf fritillary (Agraulis vanille) which is mainly found in the United States.
Pinned specimen of a Sphinx lingustri (Privet hawk moth).
Pinned specimen of a Sphinx lingustri (Privet hawk moth).
A row of three pinned butterflies and moth. Top - Vanessa atalanta (Admiral butterfly) , Middle - Aglais io (Peacock butterfly), Bottom - Arctia caja (Garden Tiger moth).
A row of three pinned butterflies and moth. Top - Vanessa atalanta (Admiral butterfly) , Middle - Aglais io (Peacock butterfly), Bottom - Arctia caja (Garden Tiger moth).
Display of pinned flies with their associated labels.
Display of pinned flies with their associated labels.
Palaeobotany
Durham's Fossil Collection
Palaeobotany studies the evolution of plants through studying fossils, or impressions of plants, on sedimentary rocks or other geological deposits over millennia.
The fossils in the Bioscience Collection again represent the ex-teaching nature of these specimens.
Some fossils have been collected by botanists who also added to the Herbarium, including one of the first female lecturers in the department, Kathleen Chalklin.
Durham's fossil collection represents a small and selective group of fossils collected from across primarily Britain.
However, these specimens are still important. They represent regional and national fossils which have future research potential.
Image: Inside Durham's Herbarium, where many of these fossils have been hidden for decades.
Image: Inside Durham's Herbarium, where many of these fossils have been hidden for decades.
Plant Fossil Highlights
Ptilophyllum
This plant fossil is a vascular plant. Vascular plants include trees, shrubs, grasses, flowering plants, and ferns.
The species of this plant is from ancient now extinct group of plants called Bennettitales. Fossils play a key role in our understanding of our ancient landscapes and the impact of climate changes.
Psilophyton
This plant fossil, collected by K.M. Chalklin in Monmouthshire. This ancient plant is believed to be the ancestral plant group from which both the ferns and seed plants evolved.
Dating to the Lower Devonian period, which is around 419.2 to 393.3 million years ago.
Czekanowskia
The fossil was found in North Yorkshire, estimated dating from the Middle Jurassic period (around 174.1 to 161.5 million years ago).
We will be adding to this page as we uncover more about the Bioscience Collection...
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