This time-lapse video from the U-M Museum of Zoology takes the bat species Artibeus jamacanensis from specimen to display. The process might be a little stomach-churning, but then again, good science isn’t always mess-free. The video is titled “Anatomy of Preservation: A Journey from Specimen to Object of Study.”

As one of the largest university museums in the world, the Museum of Zoology is a crucial resource for use in research, conservation, and education. Studying animals such as Artibeus jamacanensis allows scientists to craft a tangible record of life on Earth.

Here, museum research assistant and LSA alumnus Michael Schmidtke (2011) carefully disassembles our specimen, preparing it for life as a research sample.

Watch the video now appearing on the LSA website home page and on the U-M Gateway. Video production by Natalie Condon.