Terrestrial Snail Collection Arrives

Earlier this month (March, 2008) the OSAC expanded its holdings to include Mollusca! Yes, we know they're not arthropods, but we felt that this professionally curated collection of Pacific Northwest gastropods would be right at home at the Oregon State Arthropod Collection. The collection consists of more than 1300 fully databased specimens and was amassed over a number of years by the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in Roseburg, OR. The collection constitutes an outstanding taxonomic and conservation resource for local biologists.

Terrestrial and fresh water gastropods are receiving a great deal of attention in the Pacific Northwest. As anyone who's been hiking in the Pacific forests can attest, slugs and snails abound in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. Like many arthropods, these animals are useful bio-indicators of habitat health. Additionally, the PNW is home to a number of agriculturally important gastropods as well as some invasive species.
We will be working over the next year to integrate the database that accompanied the specimens into our own. Scientists interested in working with this collection should contact us at: osac@science.oregonstate.edu.