The Vertebrate Paleontology collection in the Museum of Comparative Zoology is managed and employed as a resource for research and teaching in the areas of vertebrate evolution , functional anatomy, and systematics. Since its founding in 1860, the MCZ has amassed approximately 90,000 specimens of fossil fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Various specimens of fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals that are on display in the MCZ's public exhibition areas are available for research access by pre-arrangement.