![rows and rows of ichthyology collection jars](/sites/biodiversity/files/styles/21_9_placeholder_/public/images/2021/35015708776_ad6a5699ae_4k.jpeg?h=74070638&itok=iHgbjgDZ)
Ichthyology
KU Ichthyology explores evolution, biodiversity, genomics, morphology, ecology, biogeography, and life history of fishes. These studies are grounded in KU research collections which are a major worldwide resource for anatomical and genomic investigations of fishes and vertebrates.
![Cleared and stained fish with clear body and skeleton in magenta](/sites/biodiversity/files/styles/7_5_placeholder_/public/images/2021/34779930701_ba21b03595_6k.jpg?h=b925f200&itok=NdkA8YE7)
Research
Our research is explicitly collections-based scientific research. This work in the field and from specimen-based observations motivates our research questions and provides the data we require to answer them.
![ichthyology researcher with a specimen with a computer scan of a fish behind her](/sites/biodiversity/files/images/2021/35055915255_36049db808_4k.jpg)
Collections
The collections has over 680,000 preserved specimens, mainly in ethanol, with an emphasis on Midwest fishes; significant osteological preparations; and geographically and taxonomically diverse tissue collection of 11,000 fishes.
![two researchers holding a fish specimen](/sites/biodiversity/files/images/2022/35015708126_e84ece9c8a_b.jpg)