Fossilized Devonian Sea Star KUMIP 483751 (Urasterella asperula). Has a round center and multiple tentacles, embedded in fossilized rock

Invertebrate Paleontology

Invertebrate Paleontology conducts research, research training and graduate education on the world’s fossil invertebrates – their relevance to evolutionary theory, their phylogenetic significance, as well as their paleobiogeography, paleoecology, and morphology.

KU Invertebrate Paleontology

#1
The University of Kansas Paleontology graduate program is ranked number one among public schools in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report
#5
Among the fifth largest collections of invertebrate fossils at a university natural history museum
#8
Among the eighth largest collections of invertebrate fossils in the United States
Invertebrate Paleontology Curator Bruce Lieberman and Collection Manager Natalia López Carranza hosting a table at Fossil Friday, an event designed to introduce KU students to the field of paleontology.
Invertebrate Paleontology Curator Bruce Lieberman and Collection Manager Natalia López Carranza hosting a table at Fossil Friday, an event designed to introduce KU students to the field of paleontology.

Research

Invertebrate Paleontology focuses on the study of macroevolutionary patterns and processes using analysis of the fossil record, especially trilobites and other arthropods.

shells

Collections

The invertebrate paleontology collection is ranked among the top 5 largest university fossil invertebrate collections in the country with over 900,000 fossil invertebrate and microfossil specimens from all over the world, including more than 11,000 type specimens.

Beautiful tan and green ribbed heteromorph ammonite from the Cretaceous, KUMIP32027