US Fossil Collections

[Ralph Chapman <MNHAD002@SIVM.SI.EDU>]

*** Resending note of 04/02/95 22:36
To: MNHAD002--SIVM     Multiple recipient

One last one on where the fossils come from, which has generated lots
of discussion. The note is that lots of sites are found by amateurs but
that relatively few fossils collected by them actually get into the
museum collections. However, there seems to be unanimity amongst
professionals that whatever it is is important and wonderful and greatly
appreciated. It'd be nice to up the numbers a good bit and I might
try and work with local collectors to get some of that done. Our VP
paleo types at NMNH tend to work with the Calvert Co. MD crowd,
some local MD dino Cret stuff a bit, and a lot inthe Carolinas. I may
try and work to kick up the VA side a bit.  Anyway, read on. REC

>From: The Vertebrate Paleontology Community discussion list

Date:         Sun, 2 Apr 1995 20:21:40 -0600
Reply-To:     The Vertebrate Paleontology Community discussion list
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>From:         "Richard K. Stucky" <rstucky@CSN.ORG>
Subject:      US Fossil Collections
X-To:         vrtpaleo@vm.usc.edu
To:           Multiple recipients of list VRTPALEO <VRTPALEO@USCVM.BITNET>

The following are statistics relevant to fossil collections in
repositories in the United States.  These statistics are based on a 1991
survey of 33 institutions that was conducted by the Denver Museum of
Natural History.  The original survey results are now in the Archives of
the Association of Systematic Collections, Washington, D.C.

Vertebrates - 1,847,000 cataloged specimens
        48.3 % from US Public Lands (Forest Service, BLM, Park Service)
        94.0 % Collected by Professional Scientists
         5.7 % Donated by Amateur Paleontologists
         0.3 % Purchased from or Donated by Commercial Paleontologists

Plants - 128,000 cataloged specimens
        47.0 % from US Public lands
        87.6 % Collected by Professional Scientists
        11.5 % Donated by Amateur Paleontologists
         0.9 % from Commercial Collectors

Invertebrates - 4,258,000 cataloged specimens
         9.4 % from public lands
        89.0 % Collected by Professional Paleontologists
         8.4 % Donated by Amateurs
         2.6 % from Commercial Collectors