The development of collections and databases in the field of animate nature at the University of Silesia is closely related to the over 50-years history of the development of biology at this university. Along with the development of the organizational structure, initially the Institute of Biology, and then the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection (from 2020, the Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection - IBBiOŚ), botanical and zoological research teams were formed, which as part of the conducted research, as well as individual interests of researchers, have been collecting specimens and data that constitute research and documentation material. These collections come mainly from research conducted in ...