The first week was dedicated to the extensive mollusc, mammal, and bird collections in MCZ. These specimens comprise some of Singapore’s rich biodiversity, from rare molluscs to resident bird species. Cyclophorus aquilus, a terrestrial snail, is one such specimen that the team imaged. Collected by Hugh Cuming who visited Singapore in 1840, this specimen is now over 180 years old. It is a valuable addition to the SIGNIFY database as it can provide researchers with crucial insights into historical biodiversity.

Marine molluscs such as Vexillum sculptile, commonly known as the carved mitre, were also imaged. This specimen was collected during the United States Exploring Expedition (U.S. Ex. Ex.) (1838–1842) by Charles Pickering, an American naturalist and physician at Harvard, during a stopover in Singapore on 19th February 1842. The U.S. Ex. Ex. was a major exploration effort made by the United States in the 19th century. Spanning four years (1838–1842), over 60,000 plant and animal were collected by the expedition, contributing to much of the 19th century American scientific development. Pickering was one of several American naturalists who were onboard and curated the natural history collections from the expedition. This specimen was one of the type specimens used by the eminent American malacologist (and Harvard alumnus), Augustus Addison Gould, in the description of Mitra cophina. This name is now considered a synonym (a different name for the same species) of Vexillum sculptile.

MCZ also houses an extensive ornithology collection. Within this collection was a specimen of Todiramphus chloris humii (collared kingfisher), which was opportunistically collected when it flew on board the S.S. Rhexenor—a steamship transporting goods and passengers. Originally named Halcyon chloris humii. This is an example of how the information on specimen labels can provide some context to the collection event itself.