About the KU Paleontological Institute

The University of Kansas Paleontological Institute was founded by geologist and paleontologist Raymond C. Moore in 1946. Our mission is to work with the paleontological community to create, collect, publish and disseminate expert vetted knowledge and information/data on invertebrate paleontology, broadly construed. Paleontological Institute Publications may be searched online via keyword, author, title and more. 

The Paleontological Institute began publishing the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, a multi-volume encyclopedia of invertebrate paleontology in 1953. As of 2023, there are 53 volumes, which consist of more than 20,000 pages of text and more than 12,000 figures derived from the work of hundreds of professional paleontologists. The next two volumes will be printed in 2023.

Each director of the Paleontological Institute has also served as editor of the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. The current director and editor is Bruce S. Lieberman (2022-present).

Previous editors include William I. Ausich (2020–2022), Paul A. Selden (2007–2020), Roger L. Kaesler (1986-2007), Richard A. Robison (1978–1985), Curt Teichert (1969-1978), and R. C. Moore (1953–1969).

The Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology is published by the Paleontological Institute at the University of Kansas, and receives financial support from the Paleontological Society.