Mammal

The mammal collection (MHNC-UP/MAM) currently consists of about 850 specimens. Most of these are taxidermy mounts, although there is a small number of specimens preserved in fluid or in osteological preparations. Modern specimens have an associated tissue collection, preserved in absolute ethanol and suitable for molecular studies.

The main mammal collections are those from the private collection of José Teixeira da Silva Braga Júnior (19th century), mostly constituted by South American specimens, as well as some specimens bought from important European Natural History dealers (19th and 20th centuries), and specimens collected by Portuguese naturalists. There is also a very important African collection, which is the result of Francisco Newton’s (1903-1905) expedition to Angola, and of offers from the Bocage Museum, in Lisbon. Recently, the collection has been enriched by the acquisition of new specimens bought from local and foreign taxidermists, as well as private donations of hunting trophies. 

The main research lines associated with this collection focus on the study of African and European mammal fauna, as well as on its growth, maintenance and conservation, and supporting research projects for both undergraduate and graduate studies.