Database Of Historical Zoological Specimens Taken In Africa For Systematic Study: New Importance For Conservation <B>Database Of Historical Zoological Specimens Taken In Africa For Systematic Study: New Importance For Conservation</B><P> </B><EM><B></B></EM><B>Michel Louette, Danny Meirte, Ron Demy and Paul Herroelen</B><BR> Royal Museum for Central Africa, B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium<B></B><P> During the colonial era (mainly 1920-1960), the fauna of - the then - Belgian Congo was intensely studied. This resulted in an important collection of zoological specimens, primarily used for taxonomic studies by a cohort of zoologists, producing revisions. The specimens were taken randomly at a great many sites, and their provenance was well documented. This information, once a by-product of Museum research, is now put into a database and proves to be of great interest. Each specimen can now be linked with a historical gazetteer of localities. As also the (sub-) specific attributions of the specimens are linked, we are able to produce historical maps of animal distribution. These form a basis for studying loss of biodiversity and for determination of priority sites for conservation. A first initiative, the historical bird atlas of Congo (with distribution maps down to the level of sub-species), is used to localise the "Important Bird Areas" in this country. The next step will be to document the change in biodiversity for the general areas of the UNESCO designated sites in this country, in combining historical data with those to be obtained in the near future. Our database, based on systematic data, therefore, is likely to become an important topic in co-operation between Belgium and its former colony.<P>