Welcome to the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles
Our Mission
The long-term goal of the Division of Amphibians & Reptiles is to support a wide array of research in evolutionary biology and ecology with an emphasis on the conservation of global biodiversity. The division's staff and students address this mission by curating collections of amphibians and reptiles, as well as their associated data.
The MSB Division of Amphibians & Reptiles serves as a crucial repository for voucher specimens, documenting and preserving the biodiversity of herpetofauna worldwide with a focus on Southwestern U.S. species. With over 105,000 specimens, the division maintains one of the largest herpetological research collections in the western United States. More than 8,000 specimens include frozen tissues housed in the Division of Genomic Resources and many specimens are linked to parasites housed in the Division of Parasites.
Personnel associated with the division conduct research that focuses on the evolutionary biology, ecology, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. We often collaborate with federal and state governmental agencies to improve and inform the management of species of concern. Our division provides substantial training for undergraduate and graduate students in specimen-based research and collection management. We also host and support external researchers, wildlife professionals and students that use specimens for a variety of research projects and educational purposes.