Microarray showing a snapshot of active genes in spleen cells in four different House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) with variable plumage. Photo: Camille Bonneaud

MCZ Initiatives

Biodiversity Informatics

New information in the field of comparative zoology is generated continuously, and the MCZ is proud to participate in innovative efforts to capture, integrate, manipulate, and share these data.

Informatics projects that develop and integrate specimen databases and collection records provide unprecedented access to primary biodiversity information, fostering interdisciplinary research across diverse fields. MCZ’s comprehensive and historic collections play an integral part in these collaborations.

The following Biodiversity Informatics initiatives are active in the MCZ at this time:

• FishNet 2 -- Ichthyology Network
• GBIF -- Global Biodiversity Information Facility
• HerpNET -- Herpetology Network
• MaNIS -- Mammal Networked Information System
• ORNIS -- Ornithological Information System
• VertNet -- Vertebrate Networked Information System