Ichthyology
Ichthyological research at NYSM focuses on the evolution and ecological interactions of fishes. Our research utilizes a number of different methods and techniques, including morphological examinations of museum specimens, traditional and next-generation DNA, RNA, and proteomic sequencing, toxinological examinations of fish venoms, and basic ecological surveys. These data are being used to examine the taxonomy, population genetics, and evolutionary relationships of a number of New York’s diverse freshwater fish species, the development of venom and venom delivery systems in catfishes, the ecological impacts of invasive species, and the recovery of fish communities from pollutants and human efforts to remove these contaminants from aquatic ecosystems.

Dr. Jeremy J. Wright
Curator of Ichthyology jeremy.wright@nysed.gov
My research utilizes my experience as a museum-trained ichthyologist to inform my pursuits as an ecologist and evolutionary biologist, and vice-versa.
News Articles
A Fish Returns? Investigating the Possible Reappearance of the Silver Chub
Published March 31, 2025 | Ichthyology
Science Tuesday: "Living Fossils!"
Published December 12, 2022 | Ichthyology
Bowfin fishes are recognized as evolutionary relicts or ‘living fossils’ that historically were distributed worldwide, going back almost 150 million years and living alongside dinosaurs. These fishes retain many of the morphological traits of thei...
Researching a Newly Acquired Fish Collection from Long Island
Published February 29, 2016 | Ichthyology
In 2014, the State Museum acquired Dr. Howard Reisman's (emeritus professor at Long Island University) personal collection of fish specimens. The collection has over 2,500 individual specimens, including a substantial number of samples...
Collections

The Museum’s latest book, Atlas of Inland Fishes of New York, is now available for download. View this and other volumes of note from the Research and Collections Record Series.