Invertebrates (non arhtropodes)

The invertebrate collection (non Arhropoda, non Mollusca; MHNC-UP/INV) covers all the invertebrate animals that do not belong to the phyla Arthropoda (insects, crustaceans, spiders) or Mollusca (snails, bivalves, cephalopods), and currently consists of about 2.000 specimens. Most of these are preserved in fluid, although there is a small number of dry mounts (corals, sponges).

This historical collection is mostly constituted of specimens used in the Zoology classes of the former Polytechnic Academy of Porto, and later in the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto. Two of the most iconic collections are the "Naples” collection, rich in Mediterranean specimens, and the "Plymouth” collection, rich in Atlantic specimens. Both of these were purchased in 1906 to the Naples (Italy) and Plymouth (United Kingdom) marine stations, respectively. Besides these, there is also an important group of specimens collected and studied by Augusto Pereira Nobre (1865–1946), which served as a basis for the first records of many species in Portugal.

The main lines of research associated with this collection focus on its historical study, as well as its growth, maintenance and conservation, and supporting research projects, both in undergraduate and graduate studies.