Myriapoda collection of the Royal Museum for Central Africa

The Myriapoda collection of the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) is one of the most important reference collections for African myriapod diversity. It comprises about 15,000 records representing more than 80,000 physical specimens, including almost 4,000 type specimens, among which 360 are holotypes. The oldest samples date back to 1887, reflecting more than a century of continuous sampling and scientific documentation. The collection is dominated by Diplopoda, with more than 10,000 records and 60,000 specimens, followed by Chilopoda, represented by nearly 4,000 records and 18,000 specimens. It also includes valuable material of Pauropoda and Symphyla, completing a comprehensive coverage of myriapod groups. This collection plays a central role in Myriapoda research, particularly in taxonomy and systematics. It provides an essential basis for species descriptions, revisions, and phylogenetic studies, and serves as a key resource for understanding the diversity, distribution, and evolution of myriapods in Central Africa and beyond.