Transfer of the Atyeo Collection of Parasitic Mites from the University of Georgia to the University of Michigan and Modernization of Collection Facilities for Ectoparasites

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ABSTRACT This project will facilitate the transfer of the collection of parasitic mites of birds (feather mites) from the University of Georgia to the University of Michigan. The collection, the most extensive of its kind in the New World, is in danger of being orphaned. The project will also provide for the improvement of collection storage facilities associated with the collections of ectoparasitic and commensal arthropods of the Insect Division of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (UMMZ). This existing collection of ectoparasites is one of the largest and most diverse in the country, with over 120,000 slide mounted specimens and 16,000 lots of parasites, primarily from mammals, birds and insects from around the world. Of particular importance are the large collections obtained through collaborations with vertebrate biologists conducting faunal surveys in poorly known and endangered parts of the world such as Madagascar and the Philippines. The project will additionally assist in the preparation of slide mounted specimens from the large backlog of accumulated alcohol lots in both the Georgia and UMMZ collections. Because most researchers either require or prefer to receive parasite specimens mounted on microscope slides rather than unprepared in alcohol lots, reduction of the backlog of unprepared specimens is essential for the collection to serve the community. Accomplishment of these goals will save the Georgia collection from potential loss and greatly enhance the accessibility of the combined collection to the scientific community.