PALEONTOLOGY | MINERALOGY | MALACOLOGY
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The main objective of the Museum is the study and research in Paleontology. Since its creation, the institution has developed intense scientific and conservation work, which has allowed it to form one of the most relevant collections in its field.
Currently, the collection houses about 90,000 fossil records corresponding to all geological periods, which together add up to around a million specimens. This valuable paleontological heritage constitutes an essential source for scientific research and for the knowledge of the history of life on Earth. All of the funds have been computerized, which facilitates consultation and management, allowing quick and precise access to researchers and specialists.
The Museum is a reference center for the international scientific community. Researchers from all over the world regularly visit their facilities to study their specialist materials.
Likewise, the stay of PhD students and researchers in training is frequent, and they review and analyze the scientific collections, contributing to the systematic and nomenclature updating of the specimens. This continuous work guarantees the scientific rigor of the collection and its permanent updating according to the advances of the discipline.
The scientific collaborators of the Museum also develop an intense research activity, which constantly contributes to the revision and updating of the paleontological nomenclature. As a result of these investigations, an extensive and valuable collection of holotypes has been established, which reinforces the scientific and heritage character of the institution.
The advances derived from these investigations are disseminated through the scientific publications published by the Museum itself. Among them stand out Batalleria, with annual or biennial periodicity, and Scripta Musei Geologici Seminarii Barcinonensis, with variable periodicity. Both constitute a fundamental vehicle for the dissemination of paleontological knowledge and for the international projection of the scientific work developed by the Museum.
COLLECTION OF HOLOTYPES | In collaboration with the ICGC
According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the holotype is the unique specimen designated or indicated as “the specimen type” of a nominal taxon of the species level at the time of original publication. That is to say, the holotype is an example that has been placed in a specific location (normally a museum) and that serves as material to describe a new species that was previously unknown to science.
Holotypes are the most important fish in museums, as they allow researchers to have a correct interpretation of the species. The quantity of holotypes that a museum possesses gives an idea of the magnitude of the various investigations.
The Geological Museum of the Seminary of Barcelona currently has 720 holotypes, labels, and exhibits in the Typotheca showcases. Each of these quantities is increased through the studies carried out by the specialists of each group. In the following link, corresponding to the Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia, it is possible to consult the database of the MGSB holotypes.
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