Type and Figured Fossil Collection - Help
General
Search strings are automatically surrounded by wildcard characters and are not case-sensitive.
Enter all search terms separated by commas e.g. the localities box could have Coal Nunatak, Offset Ridge. Leaving the All/any checkbox unticked would then allow a search for all specimens from either Coal Nunatak or Offset Ridge. Ticking the checkbox will perform a query where the terms are AND-ed together. For example, again in localities, Mount, Reeves would search for all specimens where the locality contains Mount and Reeves (it could actually be stored as Reeves, Mount or Mount Reeves etc).
If an item from a list is selected and then deselected (returned to top of list) the text box may still be frozen and it will be necessary to reset the form. Conversely, if a criterion is entered into the text box and deleted, the list may still be frozen and it will be necessary to reset the form.
Taxonomic group
The select list includes the major taxonomic groups present in this collection from phylum down to order. To search for a particular family, genus or species, or to search on an informal term (e.g. 'starfish') enter it into the text box. Do not include prefixes and suffixes to formal names (e.g. 'sp.', 'cf.', 'var.') or the taxonomic author in your search.
If a search term (including informal names) returns no hits but you believe our collection includes these items, please contact us.
Geological age
The select lists allow you to search at different temporal resolutions (i.e. era, period, stage). To search within one time division simply select it from the first list and leave the second blank. To search for a range select the older time division from the first list and the younger from the second.
Note, the geological age assigned to a specimen is taken directly from a published source. Consequently, while most specimens have ages defined to their geological stage, some may only be identified to the period or era level. Thus, if the search is not returning the expected results, try widening the geological age resolution or searching on a different term.
Locality
The top 30 localities are defined in terms of the number of Type and Figured specimens described from the locality and are ordered alphabetically within geographic regions. Use the text box to search for a locality that does not appear in this list.
Lithological unit
The top 20 lithological units are defined in terms of the number of Type and Figured specimens described from the unit and are ordered alphabetically. Use the text box to search for a lithological unit that does not appear in this list.
Publication authors and year
It is best to search for authors without their initials, but if your search needs refining further these can be added. Do not use author's first names.
If criteria are entered into both the publication author and year fields these will count as an AND search, i.e. only results fulfilling both criteria will be returned. A range of publication years can be specified by selecting the earlier year from the first list and the later from the second.
Specimen number
Enter specimen numbers as cited by the publication. Occasionally numbers are mis-cited in publications. In this instance the search should find the specimen you are looking for, but it will be displayed under its official specimen number.
Include type specimens only
Tick this box to search only for specimens that have been used in formal taxonomic descriptions.
Sort results by
Results are sorted alphabetically for taxonomic name, locality, lithological unit and specimen number and from youngest to oldest for geological age.
Any problems finding what you require and you believe that it is part of our collections, please contact us.
