IYB at UCL: The treasures of evolution

Links:

biodiversityislife.net/" target="_self">International Year of Biodiversity

Grant Museum of Zoology

UCL Genetics, Evolution and Environment

UCL Earth Sciences

In this short film, palaeobiologist Dr Anjali Goswami (UCL Genetics, Evolution and Environment and UCL Earth Sciences) explains what we can learn about biodiversity from the collection housed at UCL's Grant Museum of Zoology.

Dr Goswami, whose research focuses on mammalian evolution, said the unique specimens at the Grant give us a glimpse into the biology of extinct species and underline the importance of protecting our natural world.

The United Nations has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) - a chance to celebrate and safeguard the diversity of life on Earth.

Biodiversity embraces every every plant, animal and micro-organism, and sustains the ecosystems that provide us with food, fuel, health, wealth, and other vital services.

UCL's wide-ranging research promotes a profound understanding of its importance and seeks new ways to preserve the richness of the natural world.

For more information about IYB, follow the link above.

Image: IYB logo

---

UCL context

The Grant Museum is the only university zoological museum in London. Founded in 1827, it houses around 62,000 specimens, including many species now endangered or extinct such as the Tasmanian Tiger or Thylacine, the Quagga, and the Dodo.

Related stories

IYB at UCL: Conserving our fragile coast

IYB at UCL: Exploring Lake Tanganyika

IYB at UCL: Protecting the primates of Gashaka

IYB at UCL: Investigating Spain's ecology