Meeting Abstract
The Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum was started with specimens collected by Gerald Bedford in 1912. Since that time, several prominent scientists have made contributions to the collection in both specimen depositions and scientific study. This has elevated the collection to stand as the largest to house African ticks globally, containing 55 type specimens and 375 identified species amongst more than 2 500 specimens. The value of museums in 21st century biology is a topic of important discussion in light of the biodiversity crisis and impending climate change. Moreover, museums may come of age once they acquire an adequate number of specimens and species that capture a considerable degree of natural variation. Study of this variation may be used to answer important questions regarding public health, agriculture, biodiversity and evolutionary processes. Of course, these are all underpinned by the relentless pursuit of the main function of museum collections – systematics. The Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum is poised to realise this vision, having come of age to represent the most complete collection of hard-earned African ticks. The raw data preserved in each specimen, comprising its species designation, morphology and collection data, in combination with modern methods of data capturing, analysis and dissemination will serve to elevate the Tick Museum further, toward a crucial position in a developing continent.
