Special Collections and Resources
How to Access Collection Data
Collection data for approximately 130,000 lots, PDFs of field sheets, and additional metadata are available in our searchable database! (Updated July 2025)
Our data are also available in online repositories (Last Updated July 2025):
For requests, please email Collection Manager Ben Frable.
A note on non-unique SIO numbers: Individual collection events, defined as a discrete sampling effort that may be defined by equipment, time, location and/or depth, are assigned an SIO Number (catalog number). Unlike most other collections where this number corresponds to a lot, defined as all specimens of the same species collected in the same collection event/sample, SIO Numbers correspond to collection events and are assigned as the last two digits of the accession year (not always same as collection year) and a sequential number, e.g. SIO 21-10, the 10th collection event accessioned in 2021. All lots of that collection event receive the same number and are rendered unique in combination with genus and species. This system had many advantages in the pre-digital age, however, can be cumbersome in databasing.
Special Collections
TISSUE COLLECTION
We maintain tissue samples from more than 1,600 species, mostly in 95% ethanol. You can search this by selecting "E" on the database webpage.
Skeletal Collection
The Marine Vertebrate Collection has over 1,050 species represented in the skeletal collection. This collection consists of dried skeletal preparations, usually as skulls with the paired fins, but occasionally with vertebral elements) and cleared-and-stained material.
Otolith Collection
Otoliths from over 750 species
Please note: these records are quite outdated, we hope to update them in late 2020.
Collection Resources
Type Catalog
A catalog of the primary and secondary types in the MVC assembled by Cindy Klepadlo (Update coming in late 2021!)
Equipment and Physical Resources
- Digital x-ray machine; 10” x 12” plate
- Specimen imaging area
- Copy stand
- Lighting
- Backgrounds
- squeeze tanks
- Digital microscope camera
- Extensive library of books and reprints
- Expert fish identification
Online Ichthyological Resources
- Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes- the definitive resource for taxonomic names of fishes and their history
- FishBase - an extensive database of information on fishes of the world
- Guide To The Coastal Marine Fishes of California aka Miller and Lea- the much-loved and most-used guide to the coastal fishes of California. A second updated edition was just published and is available from the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
- Certainly More Than You Want to Know About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast - UCSB Professor Milton Love's informative and engaging tome on Pacific Coast fishes with plenty of photographs and hilarious anecdotes. An essential for any library.
- Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific - an online and app-based guide to marine fishes from Baja California to Peru. An invaluable resource for those working in the Eastern Pacific
- Mexican Fish - Detailed information on species encountered in the waters of Mexico- mostly Baja
Other major West Coast Ichthyology Collections:
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California (LACM)
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California (CAS)
- Oregon State Ichthyology Collection, Corvallis, Oregon (OS)
- Burke Museum, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (UW)
- Beaty Biodiversity Museum, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia (UBC)
- Museum of the North, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska (UAM)