The Department of Herpetology began in July of 1965 to (1) promote field and collections-based research into the natural history, biodiversity, and systematics of reptiles and amphibians, (2) to build and maintain a world-class research collection, and thereby, (3) to help achieve the Museum's goals of increasing awareness of and responsibility for our natural world. The primary functions of the c
ollection are to serve as a repository for voucher specimens generated by present researchers, and to serve as a research resource for the accumulated natural history collections and associated library material for both present researchers and those of future generations. Since 1965, the collection has grown into a major research collection (>190,000 specimens) that is worldwide in scope. Early growth resulted from incorporation of material from several southern California universities (UCLA, USC, CSU Long Beach, CSU Northridge, and CSU Fullerton) because researchers there wanted a central repository that could make materials more accessible to other investigators and ensure long-term curatorial care. Research by museum staff, research associates, and others led to further growth which continues through to the present.
