Te Papa holds extensive, internationally important collections of a number of invertebrate groups, which are not represented by a curator or a specialist collection manager.
Any enquiries regarding these collections or requests for identification can be directed to the appropriate custodian.
Ascidians (Tunicates, Salps)
Te Papa’s collection of ascidians comprises about 360 species lots, of which nine are name-bearing types.
Collection Manager (custodial): Rick Webber
Brachiopoda (Lamp Shells)
Te Papa holds one of the largest collections of brachiopods in the country, both living and fossil forms (about 3000 species lots), which includes most of the name bearing types, and notably the J A Thomson collection. Collection Manager (custodial): Bruce Marshall
Bryozoans (Lace Corals)
Te Papa’s collection of bryozoans comprises about 1200 species lots, of which eighteen are name-bearing types.
Collection Manager (custodial): Rick Webber
Cnidaria (Corals, Anemones, Jellyfishes, Hydroids)
Te Papa’s holds one of the largest collections of cnidarians in the country, with more than 1500 species lots, thirty-three of which are name-bearing types. Holdings of solitary corals and hydroids are particularly important, the latter including P M Ralph’s collection and contributing very substantially to W Vervoort’s recent monograph of the group.
Collection Manager (custodial): Rick Webber
Echinodermata (Starfishes, Brittle Stars, Sea Urchins, Sea Cucumbers, Sea Lilies)
Te Papa’s collection of echinoderms comprises about 12,000 species lots, and includes more than fifty name-bearing types. The collection is strong in starfishes and brittle stars, especially deep-sea species from sunken wood.
Collection Manager (custodial): Rick Webber
Protozoans
Te Papa’s collection of protozoans comprises about 500 species lots, of which sixteen are name-bearing types.
Collection Manager (custodial): Rick Webber
Pyconogonida (Sea Spiders)
Te Papa’s small collection of sea spiders comprises about 100 species lots. Although small, the collection is important because it includes nine name-bearing types.
Collection Manager (custodial): Rick Webber
Sponges (Porifera)
Te Papa holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of sponges in New Zealand (strongly complemented by that at NIWA). The collection contains more than 2600 species lots, as well as more than 155 name bearing types (some merotypes), including holotypes and voucher material of species described by P R Bergquist, M Kelly, and H B Kirk.
Collection Manager (custodial): Bruce Marshall
Worms (Earthworms and Marine Groups)
Te Papa holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of earthworms in the country (about 5000 species lots), including the K E Lee collection and most of the relevant type material. The collection also includes about 15,000 species of marine worms.
Collection Manager (custodial): Bruce Marshall