The Museum of Zoology of the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, identified by the acronym QCAZ (Quito-Catholic-Zoology), is the largest Ecuadorian institution working in biodiversity research.

The QCAZ has about half a million specimens, which positions it as the largest holder of fauna collections in Ecuador. Our genome bank has over 50,000 tissues being one of the largest in Latin America. Our collections are open for scientific research in accordance to our institutional guidelines and Ecuadorian laws.

Our main goal is to generate information and implement actions to foster the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of animal life.

The QCAZ is administratively attached to the School of Biology at Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador.

Zoology Collection at Museo de Zoología Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador

Museo de Zoología at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador hosts the largest specimen collection and Genome bank in Ecuador. The genome bank has over 40,000 tissues (updated to August 2015) stored in -80 ultra freezers.

Collection Size

40000 tissues

Collection Coverage

Access rights

The specimen collection and the genome bank are available for use of the scientific community both within and outside Ecuador. For information on how to access samples in the genome bank visit: http://zoologia.puce.edu.ec/Vertebrados/BancoGenoma.aspx

Curation details

McGinley Conservation statuses

Institution Codes