Short Description
The micropaleontological collection of the Geological-Paleontological Department contains numerous microfossils from all over the world. The more than 50,000 objects include rock samples, thin sections as well as objects in flasks and microslides.
The main collection is represented by foraminifera and dates back to the late 18th century, when the pioneers of micropaleontology Leopold von Fichtel (1770–1810) and Johann Paul Carl von Moll (1735–1812) added first specimens. The most important collections include the material of Emanuel Reuss (1811–1873) und Felix Karrer (1825–1903), which contains numerous type species. Further material was sent to Vienna by the French paleontologist Alcide Dessalines d'Orbigny (1802–1857). A jounger part of the collection is the material of Fred Rögl. In terms of stratigraphy and geography the collection mostly comprises Cenozoic material from the Paratethys and the Mediterranean. Several reference collections from all over the world include – among others – material from Henry Bowman Brady (1835–1891) and his Challenger-Expedition and from the Caribbean collected by Axel Theodor Goës (1835–1897) and Hans Martin Bolli (1917–2007).
The micropaleontological collection comprises also ostracods described by August Emanuel Reuss and Kurt Kollmann (1915–1982), calcareous Nannoplankton from Erwin Kamptner (1889–1972) and calcareous algae collected by Julius Pia (1887–1943).
Contact Person
Anna E. Weinmann
Research Services
Repository for geological and paleontological types.
Reference specimens for research.
Fossil identification upon request.
Biostratigraphic analysis upon request.
High resolution photographs upon request.
Discovery V20 Stereomikroscope
JCM-5000 NeoScope SEM
Yxlon FF35 CT
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
The microplaeontological collections are used for taxonomic studies and as reference for identifications. For investigations, there are high-quality microscopes, Scanning-electron microscopes and a Mikro-CT including imaging software available.
Allocation to research infrastructure
Hofmann, T. & Granier, B. 1994. A Guide to the Collection of Julius Pia. 1st Part: “Neue Studien über triadische Siphonae verticilatae” Julius v. Pia, 1912. Beiträge zur Paläontologie 19: 149-151, Wien
Granier, B. & Hofmann, T. 2002. A Guide to the Collection of Julius Pia. 2nd Part. In; Bucur, I.I. & Filipescu, S. (eds.). Research advances in calcareous algae and microbial carbonates, p. 135-144. Cluj University Press.
Pia J. 1920. Katalog der Diploporensammlung des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien 33: N 1 - N 16, Wien.