Catalog of snakes (Squamata: Serpentes) in the historical collection of Kosmos - Natural History Museum of the University of Pavia

The Natural History Museum of the University of Pavia holds a remarkable collection of snakes, dating back to the late 18th century. The collection was established with the acquisition of Cornelis van Hoey’s specimens in 1784 and grew over time through donations and expeditions by renowned naturalists such as Filippo De Filippi, Giuseppe Acerbi, Leonardo Fea, and Lamberto Loria. This study provides a revised catalog of the museum collection of snakes, which were identified based on external morphological characters. A total of 353 specimens from 16 families, 95 genera, and 145 species are listed, with particularly strong representation from Europe and South America. Notable specimens include a rare leucistic Natrix tessellata and two Vipera berus from the Po Plain population, which became extinct in the early 20th century. This updated catalog highlights the museum’s role in preserving biodiversity and providing a resource for future herpetological research.