Indiana Biological Survey

Mission and Research Objectives

Mission and Research Objectives

Mission, Scope and Research Objectives of the Indiana Biological Survey

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

About the Indiana Biological Survey

Bylaws of the Aquatic Research Center

The mission of the Aquatic Research Center is to study the aquatic fauna and flora of Indiana and to preserve the State’s natural history for future generations.

This mission will be accomplished through the following activities, goals, and objectives:

1. Develop a complete listing of Indiana's aquatic biota and accumulate knowledge about the distribution, abundance, and biology of the species;
2. Complete biological surveys of all federal, state, and other natural areas of Indiana;
3. Develop a network of museums and research stations that will provide research materials for training the future organismal biologists in Indiana; and
4. Establish a database from vouchered material that will provide information for protecting the future heritage of Indiana biological resources.

The Aquatic Research Center is a part of the Indiana Biological Survey. The Center holds over 14 million fish specimens with emphasis on Indiana, including Midwestern and Southeastern United States. The collection has received donations of materials from the Ohio River including historic collections of ORSANCO’s Ohio River voucher specimens, and has incorporated the collections of Wabash College and Earlham College. The Survey maintains one of the largest collections of larval fish specimens from North America including reference material from the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Large Rivers Research Station holdings. The crustacean collection includes over 37,000 specimens primarily from Indiana, but includes specimens from the Great Lakes and Southeastern United States. The Center holds paratypes of two crayfish species.

The Center is being renovated and includes 4000 sq. ft of holdings for specimens and research capabilities. The ARC facility is a restored and renovated 1920 Pentecostal church. The basement level includes the fish and crayfish specimens, analysis room, culture facilities, equipment storage, and workshops. The first floor includes conference room, library, and office facilities.