UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ICHTHYOLOGY DIVISION

Website: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish
Location: Florida Museum of Natural History
Dickinson Hall, Icthyology Dept. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
Phone: 352-392-2360
Fax: 352-392-7158

The Florida Museum of Natural History, located at the University of Florida, is Florida’s state museum of natural history, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. The Ichthyology division works closely with many organizations involved in the study and conservation of fishes and sharks including the National Shark Research Consortium (NSRC), the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) and the Sawfish Recovery Team (SRT).

Shark Research – The Florida Program for Shark Research (FPSR) is involved in many areas of shark research, including shark biology, ecology, and behavior. In addition, the FPSR monitors shark attacks through the International Shark Attack File and promotes shark conservation and educational outreach through such programs as Project Shark Awareness.

Sawfish Recovery Team – The Sawfish Recovery Team (SRT) seeks to promote the conservation of threatened sawfish populations around the world. Very little is known about this unique type of ray which used to be very abundant in the tropics. Smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) have recently been listed for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Freshwater Research – Degradation of freshwater ecosystems is severe in many parts of the world, and freshwater species are among the most endangered species. Conservation biologists and resource managers depend on accurate taxonomic information and museum collection records for prioritizing areas for protection and for making informed species-specific management policies. Major projects at the FLMNH on freshwater fishes include the Freshwater Fishes of Florida, a revision of the Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes (to be published in 2011), and the All Cypriniformes Species Inventory (http://www.cypriniformes.org).