Mollusca collection of the Royal Museum for Central Africa

The Mollusc collection of the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) is one of the largest and most significant reference collections for tropical Africa. It comprises 45,523 records representing more than 475,230 physical specimens, including 69,141 type specimens, with more than 200 holotypes or equivalent primary types. The collection is largely dominated by Gastropoda, which account for more than 75% of the material. Bivalvia represent about 12% of the collection, while Cephalopoda, Polyplacophora, and Scaphopoda are present in smaller but scientifically valuable proportions. Together, these groups provide a broad and well-balanced representation of molluscan diversity. In addition to its taxonomic importance, the RMCA Mollusc collection has a strong applied research dimension. It includes an important DNA collection of Bulinus snails, which are key intermediate hosts of schistosome parasites. This resource directly supports research in molecular epidemiology of tropical diseases, particularly schistosomiasis, where freshwater snails play a central role in parasite transmission. These studies, led notably by Tine Huyse and collaborators, highlight the strategic importance of the collection at the interface between biodiversity research, systematics, and public health.