Invertebrate collection

The invertebrate collection contains isolated specimens and communities preserved on matrix blocks collected from both the marine and terrestrial deposits of the Quaternary, Paleogene and Cretaceous periods of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

No type specimens are present in the collection, although certain individual specimens provide new or previously unrecorded information on species ecology, pathology, range, distribution and preservation.

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  Quaternary invertebrates
  Invertebrates remains are common in the Quaternary sediments of Hampshire. Fossil mollusc remains, particularly bivalves and gastropods, dominate the marine faunas. Terrestrial invertebrate faunas are poorly represented in the collection.
  Photo: Derived flint casts

   

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  Paleogene invertebrates
  Invertebrates remains are common in the Paleogene sediments of Hampshire. Fossil mollusc remains dominate the marine and freshwater faunas. Marine arthropods, corals, echinoids, and molluscs are particularly well represented in the collection but we have few terrestrial invertebrates.
  Photo: Cephalopod Cimomia

   

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  Cretaceous invertebrates
  Invertebrates remains are common in the Cretaceous sediments of Hampshire. Fossil mollusc remains dominate the marine and freshwater faunas. Marine arthropods, corals, echinoids, molluscs and sponges are particularly well represented in the collection but we have few terrestrial invertebrates.
  Photo: Asteroid Metopaster