# División Paleoinvertebrados del Museo de La Plata > research unit belonging to the La Plata Museum **Wikidata**: [Q118976865](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118976865) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/division-paleoinvertebrados-del-museo-de-la-plata ## Summary The División Paleoinvertebrados del Museo de La Plata is a specialized research unit within the La Plata Museum in Argentina, dedicated to the study of invertebrate paleontology. It operates as a research institute focusing on paleontological investigation, biostratigraphy, malacology, and paleoenvironmental studies. The division is located in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, and is currently supervised by Alberto C. Riccardi. ## Key Facts - **Classification**: Research institute (research unit belonging to the La Plata Museum) - **Aliases**: División Paleozología de Invertebrados, Departamento Científico de Paleozología de Invertebrados - **Parent Organization**: La Plata Museum - **Location**: La Plata, Argentina (postal code B1900) - **Street Address**: Paseo del Bosque (Circ 1ª, Secc B, Mzna 866, Parc 1) - **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude -34.9106, Longitude -57.9416 (headquarters at latitude -34.909111, longitude -57.935222) - **Current Supervisor**: Alberto C. Riccardi - **Fields of Work**: Paleontology, invertebrate paleontology, biostratigraphy, malacology, paleoenvironment - **Jurisdiction**: La Plata Museum ## FAQs ### What is the primary purpose of the División Paleoinvertebrados? The division exists to conduct research on invertebrate paleontology, focusing on the study of fossil invertebrates, biostratigraphy (dating rock layers through fossils), malacology (study of mollusks), and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. ### Where is the División Paleoinvertebrados located? The research unit is housed within the La Plata Museum at Paseo del Bosque in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, with postal code B1900. ### Who leads the División Paleoinvertebrados? Alberto C. Riccardi serves as the supervisor and manager of the division, overseeing its research activities and operations. ### What is the relationship between the División Paleoinvertebrados and the La Plata Museum? The División Paleoinvertebrados is a constituent research unit of the La Plata Museum, operating under the museum's jurisdiction and governance structure. ## Why It Matters The División Paleoinvertebrados del Museo de La Plata represents a critical node in Argentina's paleontological research infrastructure. As a specialized unit dedicated exclusively to invertebrate paleontology, it provides focused scientific investigation that larger, more generalized institutions cannot match. Invertebrate fossils constitute the vast majority of the fossil record and serve as essential tools for biostratigraphy, enabling scientists to date rock formations and reconstruct ancient environments with precision. The division's work in malacology and paleoenvironmental studies contributes to understanding evolutionary patterns, climate history, and ecosystem development across geological time scales. Within the South American context, the division plays a particularly important role given Argentina's rich fossil deposits and the continent's unique geological and paleontological history. By maintaining specialized expertise in invertebrate paleontology, the division supports both fundamental scientific discovery and applied research relevant to natural resource exploration, environmental reconstruction, and education. ## Notable For - Dedicated research unit exclusively focused on invertebrate paleontology within a major South American museum - Comprehensive scope spanning paleontology, biostratigraphy, malacology, and paleoenvironmental studies - Integration within the La Plata Museum, one of Argentina's premier natural history institutions - Strategic location in La Plata, a major center for Argentine scientific research - Supervision by Alberto C. Riccardi, indicating established scientific leadership ## Body ### Organizational Structure and Classification The División Paleoinvertebrados del Museo de La Plata functions as a research institute, classified as an organization whose primary purpose is conducting systematic scientific investigation. It operates as a specialized division within the broader organizational framework of the La Plata Museum, to which it belongs and under whose jurisdiction it falls. The entity is also known by alternative names including "División Paleozología de Invertebrados" and "Departamento Científico de Paleozología de Invertebrados," reflecting its scientific focus on invertebrate paleozoology. ### Geographic Location and Facilities The division is situated in La Plata, the capital city of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Its physical address is Paseo del Bosque (Circ 1ª, Secc B, Mzna 866, Parc 1), with the postal designation B1900. The headquarters coordinates are recorded at latitude -34.909111 and longitude -57.935222, while broader location data places it at latitude -34.9106 and longitude -57.9416. The Paseo del Bosque location situates the division within a significant cultural and scientific precinct in La Plata. ### Research Focus and Fields of Work The division maintains expertise across multiple interconnected scientific disciplines: - **Paleontology**: The broad study of fossil organisms and ancient life forms - **Invertebrate Paleontology**: Specialized focus on fossil invertebrates, which comprise the majority of the fossil record - **Biostratigraphy**: The use of fossil assemblages to date and correlate rock strata - **Malacology**: The study of mollusks, both living and fossil - **Paleoenvironment**: Reconstruction and analysis of ancient environmental conditions ### Leadership and Management Alberto C. Riccardi serves as the director and manager of the division, holding the supervisory role for the research unit. His position involves overseeing the scientific activities, research programs, and operational functions of the División Paleoinvertebrados. ### Institutional Context As part of the La Plata Museum (Museo de La Plata), the division benefits from affiliation with one of Argentina's most significant natural history institutions. The museum context provides access to collections, specimen repositories, and collaborative opportunities with other scientific divisions. The division's status as a research institute distinguishes it from purely display-oriented museum departments, emphasizing its primary mission of generating new knowledge through systematic paleontological investigation. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.sinca.gob.ar/) 2. [Source](https://www.museo.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar/div_arqueologia#:~:text=La%20Divisi%C3%B3n%20Arqueolog%C3%ADa%20realiza%20la,%2C%20Europa%2C%20%C3%81frica%20y%20Asia.) 3. [Source](https://www.museo.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar/div_paleoinvertebrados) 4. [Source](https://monumentos.cultura.gob.ar/)