Type specimens of amphibians and reptiles in the Museum of Natural History, the University of Kansas

This compact volume offers a meticulously compiled inventory of the amphibian and reptile type specimens housed at the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History. Drawing on records up to April 1962, the authors list every known holotype and designated paratype, noting original combinations, subsequent synonymy, and the precise museum numbers now assigned. The work highlights the museum’s surprisingly rich herpetological holdings—including many species first described from Costa Rica by Edward H. Taylor—while also correcting longstanding cataloguing errors and misidentified localities.

Arranged alphabetically by genus and species within each order, the list serves as a practical reference for systematists and field researchers seeking reliable specimen data. Detailed citations give original publication dates, and the authors point out where historic field numbers differ from current accession numbers. By clarifying the provenance of each type, the volume not only safeguards the integrity of taxonomic research but also reveals the quiet significance of a regional collection in the broader landscape of North American herpetology.