The Department of Vertebrate Zoology was created in 1964 by the separation of the Department of Zoology into vertebrate and invertebrate branches. The Department houses the largest collection of vertebrate specimens in the world and is responsible for the research and collection management programs of the Divisions of Birds, Fishes, Mammals, and Reptiles and Amphibians.

Chairmen of the Department have included Philip Strong Humphrey, 1964-1968; George E. Watson, 1968-1972; Robert H. Gibbs, Jr., 1972-1978; George R. Zug, 1978-1983; W. Ronald Heyer, 1984-1987; Richard W. Thorington, 1987-1992; G. David Johnson, 1992-1999; and Lynne R. Parenti, 1999- .