The scientific collection of the Marine Zoology Unit (UZM) has its origin at the beginning of 1980, when the first parasitological studies on cetaceans were initiated.  Subsequently, it extends to other marine vertebrates.

It is a collection of undeniable educational value. Its scientific value lies mainly on the huge number of collected specimens, thanks to the Network of Beaching Cetaceans and Marine Turtles of the Valencian Community, as well as other materials coming from samplings in different acuiculture and fishery plants. Along with the acquisition of samples from diverse geographical areas around the world, this labour has allowed to develop researching projects and global collaborations with other institutions. The collection includes specimens collected from all the oceans, with special relevance of the Mediterranean Sea and the North and South-Western Atlantic Ocean. It can be divided into two sections depending on the group of hosts they parasite: turtles and marine mammals’ parasites and Teleostei fishes’ parasites. Turtles and marine mammals’ parasites of great relevance due its to specific and complicated collection. Probably, it is one of the more importants non museum collections of the world, since it holds specimens of a third of all the described cetacean parasites in the world and reference material (vouchers) of several taxons or new combinations. Teleostei fishes’ parasites from all over the world. It comprises reference material (vouchers) of several new described taxons and redescriptions. It is especially relevant the material collected from endangered species or from difficult fishing management. Some of the species can affect humans, from a sanitary and economic point of view.

Location: Unidad de Zoología Marina Parque Científico de la Universidad (Marine Zoology Unit Scientific Park of the University). Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universitat de València (ICBIBE), 2 Catedrátic José Beltrán Martínez St, Floor 1, Container office building. Zoology Department. 46980 Paterna. Valencia.