Fossil vertebrates

The study of fossil vertebrates includes research on the remains of all animals with backbones, from tiny fish to giant reptiles.  Te Papa's fossil vertebrate collections and research encompass birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.  New Zealand/Aotearoa has lost 25 per cent of its pre-human bird fauna as a result of human colonisation.  Research on the collections is helping to document this human interaction and is also examining the origins of this vulnerable and unique fauna.