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Detailed information about ZFMK collections will soon be accessible here: https://www.binhum.net/spoke/zfmk
The ZFMK Biobank is a specialized archive storing ultra-deep frozen animal samples (e.g. DNA and tissue) for non-commercial molecular research. The biobank is closely linked to the morphological collections of the museum. To browse the molecular samples kept at ZFMK or elsewhere in the Global Genome Biodiversity Network please visit http://data.ggbn.org/ggbn_portal/search/index (The portal does not yet include the majority of our samples; we are currently importing data – in the meantime, please feel free to send your material inquiries by e-mail)
The “lower arthropods” collections hold about 70,000 specimens, including the world’s most diverse collection of Pholcidae spiders (Huber), extensive spider material from fogging campaigns in East Africa (Wagner, Freund) and from pitfall trapping in West and Central Africa (previously Trier collection), a large and partly historically important Odonata collection, as well as smaller collections of parasitic mites and other Arachnida, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Crustacea. We have extensive spider material from fogging campaigns in Eastern Africa (collections Wagner, Freund) and from pitfall trapping in Central and West Africa, as well as the largest comparative collection of pholcid spiders, and an important collection of parasitic mites (Lukoschus collection).
The Diptera collection contains some 400,000 specimens of more than 7,000 species. Most of the specimens are pinned, but there also is a large alcohol collection, mostly Tipulidae and Limoniidae. The holdings include the following important specialist collections: Phoridae (H. Schmitz, E. Beyer, E. Baumann, H. Ulrich), Tipuloidea (B. Mannheims, H. Mendl), Blephariceridae (B. Mannheims, S. Kitakami), and Sciaridae (F. Lengersdorf — on a long term loan to F. Menzel from the Deutsches Entomologisches Institut, Müncheberg). The ZFMK collection of Diptera also holds a large part of the material collected in Fujian (China) by J.F. Klapperich. Furthermore, the collection houses the largest fossil collection in amber dedicated to Dolichopodidae in the world (H. Ulrich). Besides the dried, pinned specimens, a rich and large collection in alcohol is housed at ZFMK, mostly for Tipulidae and Limoniidae (B. Mannheims). The Diptera collection is rich in type material with more than 1,320 types, from which 780 are holotype specimens. The Phoridae collection of Schmitz and Beyer contain 452 and 152 types respectively.
The Coleoptera collection of the Museum Koenig (ZFMK) comprises about 2.5 million specimens and includes a number of larger and smaller collections. Among the more important are the "Rhineland" collection (https://www.zfmk.de/en/research/collections/rheinlandsammlung) founded by F. Rüschkamp and extended by the AG Rheinischer Koleopterologen (Wagner 2007), the collection of myrmeco- and termitophile beetles of A. Reichensperger (or at least a part of it - although mentioned in Horn et al. (1990) that it was destroyed during World War II), and a part of the collection R. Oberthür, acquired by the Museum in 1956. Moreover, the collection has grown by expeditions of museum's staff, such as those of H. Roer, who was for long time (1963-1991) curator of Coleoptera (Schmitt 2003), and of J. Klapperich, employed as Coleoptera technician from 1935 to 1952 at the museum (Lucht 1988). Klapperich collected during this time much in Fujian (China) and other regions and after his membership to the institute the museum acquired still much of his material (e.g. from Afghanistan). Consequently, many other museums house material of Klapperich, e.g. the National Museum in Prague, the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest and the Staatliche Museum für Naturkunde, Karlsruhe. After Klapperich's death 1987 the rest of the material of Klapperich collection was bought by the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart (Schmitt 2007). In the recent years additional material has been accumulated from research projects in Eastern Africa mainly through the activities of T. Wagner. Recent accessions comprise material from South Africa, Arunachal Pradesh, and Laos (Scarabaeidae, Chrysomelidae).
Lepidoptera: ZFMK has about 2 million specimens of all butterfly and moths families (geographical focus: Palaearctic Region and Southeast Asia). The collection contains more than 2,000 primary types (holo-, lecto-, neotypes, many other species are represented by syntypes). Particularly worth mentioning are the following holdings: Collection Hermann Höne: about 500,000 specimens of all butterfly- and moth-families from China, Collection René Oberthür: about 160,000 specimens of many different butterfly- and moth-families (half of the material also of Chinese origin. Collection Eugen Wehrli: about 150,000 specimens of the moth-family Geometridae (Geometer Moths). Containing also material from the Höne-collection and parts of the historical collections Ch. Oberthür, A. Guenée and M. Boisduval, including a large number of type specimens. Collection Clas M. Naumann: about 100,000 specimens of Zygaenidae, most important and complete collection of the genus Zygaena, containing a large number of type specimens. Collection Sigbert Wagener: about 90,000 specimens of butterflies and moths, collected in Europe, N. Africa and Turkey. Containing all voucher specimens of the monumental book (in 3 vols) "Butterflies of Turkey" and many other publications. Collection Klaus Rose, Mainz: valuable collection of Palaearctic butterflies, including many types. This collection is still at the hands of Prof. K. Rose, for further studies. Collection Peter Kuhna, Wipperfürth: about 60,000 specimens of butterflies and moths, collected in Europe, N. Africa and Turkey, with a strong focus on the moth family Noctuidae (about half of the material) and on Turkey as a geographical focus. Containing a number of type specimens, based on own descriptions, and ~ 800 genitalia preparations. Collection Melchior Pass: more than 200 drawers containing tropical butterflies, hawk-moths (Sphingidae) and emperor moths (Saturniidae). Collection of the Cologne Zoo and Collection Matthias Forst: about 90,000 specimens of all lepidoptera families. Housed at the "Insectarium" of the Cologne Zoo for many years. Lepidoptera Collection of the "Fuhlrott-Museum" Wuppertal: around 30,000 specimens of many butterfly and moth families. Local Rhineland Collection of butterflies and moths: around 60,000 specimens from Bonn and surrounding regions, containing more than 1,000 species. Collection of material of the order Trichoptera (closely related to Lepidoptera): about 2,762 specimens (pinned or preserved in ethanol). The collection contains valuable type specimens, mainly from China.
The insect collections include also e.g. Heteroptera (21,000 specimens), Homoptera (10,000), Hymenoptera (70,000), Orthoptera (30,000), Phthiraptera (24,000) and Siphonaptera (4,000).
The ZFMK also has an important herpetological collection containing 102.000 specimens, with more than 670 type specimens and 335 holotypes and a geographic focus on the western Palearctic, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Neotropics. Research of the herpetology section comprises the taxonomy, faunistics, diversity, aut-/ synecology and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. Next to more traditional methods (morphology/ anatomy, bioacoustics, empirical field studies and experiments), we combine genetics and natural history information with recently developed collection based macroecological approaches (species distribution modeling, environmental niche modeling). These techniques allow us to analyze the structure and evolution of species’ environmental niches through space and time in a phylogenetic context as well as assessments of species’ likely responses to anthropogenic climate change.
The fish collection of the ZFMK currently includes more than 100,000 individuals with the type material for 26 families, 75 genera, and 130 species. The collection contains mainly freshwater fishes, with emphasis on South American and later on European, African and Asian species. The present research program focuses on taxonomy, DNA Barcoding, phylogenetics and speciation of freshwater fishes from Asia and Europe.
Currently, the ZFMK bird collection comprises about 85,000 individuals, most of them (76,000) are specimens, the rest are mounted preparations. The collection is complemented by skeletons and specimens in alcohol (ca. 3,000). In addition, the egg collection encompasses 60,000 single objects including ca. 1,700 nests. In 2003, we began to build up a collection of tissue samples which is continuously growing. The most precious specimens are types (holotypes, syntypes and paratypes) of more than 300 taxa. The oldest exhibit is a little display cabinet from the year 1793 and contains a Fieldfare. The oldest series of exhibits belongs to the collection of the "bird pastor" Christian Ludwig Brehm and dates back to the year 1808. The geographical focuses of the collection are the Palearctic and Afrotropical region. Granivorous passerines (estrildid finches, finches and weavers) as well as hummingbirds are numerically the most represented groups in our collection.
The mammal collection houses about 100,000 specimens representing 1,800 species of mammals. All recent orders and 87% of the families are represented. There are 100 primary type specimens (holo-, lecto- and neotypes) and 500 paratypes; including those of extinct species. Unique features of the collection: The focus of the collection of preserved mammals are small mammals of the Palearctic and Africa. Of special international significance are the African collections, together with the museums in Berlin, Frankfurt and Stuttgart. The Bat Banding Centre archives data relating to the banding and band retrieval of bats in Germany and adjacent regions going back to 1932. The animal sound collection with a focus on "terrestrial carnivores" (Fissipedia) and a related collection of larynxes, specifically of cats.
A unique holding is the Biohistoricum, a collection of literature related to the history of biology. It contains among others private book collections of, Fritz and Hermann Müller, Paul Buchner, Otto Bütschli, Ingo Krumbiel, Ernst Mayr, Bernhard Rensch, Eduard Strassburger, and many more.
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