The Department of Invertebrates at the Natural Science Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia houses a rich museum collection of invertebrate animals, developed through many years of scientific research and systematic collecting. The study of invertebrate fauna began with the founding of the Museum, as part of groundwater research conducted by Dr. Stanko Karaman.

Over the years, the museum collections have been enriched with numerous groups of invertebrates, including sponges, worms, crustaceans, arachnids, snails, and bivalves. Among them are relict and endemic species of exceptional scientific value. In addition, a separate collection of marine invertebrates has been established. In 1996/1997, the Museum also acquired the scientific collection of Dr. Slave Hadžišče from the Hydrobiological Institute in Ohrid.

Today, the collection comprises more than 50,000 specimens, organized into several specialized collections:

• Freshwater Sponge Collection

• Worm Collection

• Snail Collection

• Freshwater Bivalve Collection

• Arachnid Collection

• Crustacean Collection

Contact: Natasa Stefanovska, Curator

E-mail: n.stefanovska@musmacscinat.mk