The Royal BC Museum’s Invertebrate Zoology collection includes Northeast Pacific invertebrates and comparative material from elsewhere in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, including significant collections of cnidarians, sponges, molluscs, and echinoderms, as well as fauna from offshore BC’s hydrothermal vent systems. The holdings range from recently acquired specimens to historical specimens collected in the late 1800s. The entire collection encompasses at least 20 phyla and over 70,000 specimen lots, including type specimens of species new to science.
Our collections include materials and records, some of which may contain certain images, descriptions, depictions, or language that may be outdated or offensive, both culturally and generally, and may not reflect the current values of the Royal BC Museum.
Although these materials are preserved for their research and historical value, we recognize that they can cause distress. We strive to contextualize and present our collections with respect and sensitivity, and make every effort to ensure accuracy, but acknowledge that some content may contain errors or misrepresentations.