Finnish Museum of Natural History - Zoology Unit

The Zoology Unit is responsible for the zoological collections of Luomus and their maintenance, the preparation of collection specimens as well as research and teaching relating to vertebrate and invertebrate animals. The unit is also in charge of the monitoring studies of the birds and bats of Finland while coordinating Finnish bird ringing activities. The Luomus zoological collections comprise some 10 million specimens, mostly of insects. The collections are primarily used for taxonomic and systematic research in Finland and abroad. They are also important for species monitoring and enable historical and contemporary biodiversity research. The collections are based on the animal specimens donated to the University of Helsinki in 1858 by the Societas pro Fauna et Flora Fennica. Today, the collections grow mostly through research projects and donations.