Donations of Terrestrial Molluscs …

 

 

I very much welcome samples of terrestrial molluscs from any place in Canada, especially from the north and the prairie provinces, which are particularly poorly known.

 

I am especially looking for leaf litter and stream-drift samples. While the minute land molluscs that dwell in leaf litter are a major component of the terrestrial mollusc fauna of Canada, they have historically been neglected in large parts of the country. Their small size has usually meant that they have been overlooked by all but the most dedicated naturalists and malacologists, and there exists substantial gaps in our knowledge of these animals in Canada. If you are interested in supplying me with litter samples, some advice is here.

 

Each sample needs to be accompanied by accurate, detailed locality and habitat data. Please contact me for further information if you are interested in sending samples. Latitude and longitude is strongly encouraged.

 

I have now received collections of litter from Yukon, BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Of course, other non-litter samples (such as those hand-picked or from stream drift) are also welcome.

Map of Canada

The map shows most collections (both collected and donated) since 1990. It is more-or-less current to August 2009. I'd be most interested in litter samples, or other specimens, from those areas with few or no dots.

 

Thank you to to everyone who have already sent material. It is most appreciated!

Instructions for sampling leaf litter, sending samples and recording data

 

Each sample should be:

  1. Approximately 0.5–1 L of material per site (2 L maximum per site) in a Ziploc-style freezer bag with locality number or data clearly written on outside of bag; a label on the inside may deteriorate between when the sample is collected and when it is dried or worked through.
  2. Preferably dried, but if this is not possible, then please send soon after collection.

 

Minimum data to include:

  1. Date collected
  2. Collector.
  3. Locality name, description.
  4. Strongly encouraged: latitude and longitude derived from from a GPS, paper map, or electronic map (e.g., Fugawi or Softmap). Alternatively, use an online service such as National Atlas of Canada's Toporama, Google Earth, or Google Maps to find the geoposition.
  5. Additional data is welcome (plant community, litter type, litter depth, elevation, etc.).

 

I offer to pay the postage of course. Please send to:

Robert Forsyth
PO Box 3804
Smithers, BC V0J 2N0