The majority of AMNH specimens are housed in the alcoholic collection; however, there are separate specialized collections and/or preparations.

Type Collection

744 published primary types (holotypes, syntypes, cotypes, lectotypes, and neotypes). Paratypes are housed with non-type specimens.

Maximilian Collection

Some of the oldest specimens of amphibians and reptiles housed in the AMNH collection, having been purchased in 1870 by the AMNH from the estate of Prince Maximilian von Wied-Neuwied.

Larval Collection

Anuran larvae cataloged as lots and predominately stored in formalin. Approximately 18% of all anuran species are represented.

Skeleton and Cleared & Stained Collections

Approximately 30% of all species in the alcoholic collection are also represented by one or more kinds of skeletal preparations.

Hemipenes Collection

Synoptic collection consisting of copulatory organs from approximately 630 specimens of reptiles, but primarily consists of snake hemipenes.

Maxilla Collection

Synoptic collection consisting of maxilla from approximately 300 specimens of reptiles, primarily snakes.

Anatomical Collection

Uncataloged amphibians and reptiles, usually with nonspecific locality data, available for informal examination and/or dissections.

Chromosome, Histological and SEM Preparations

1983 survey of holdings showed roughly 6500 slides of chromosomes from 2500 specimens of 259 species, representing 33 families of amphibians and reptiles. In addition various histological and SEM preparations are housed.

Tissue Collection

Approximately 6500 samples largely derived from vouchered specimens are stored in the Ambrose Monell Cryo Collection.