To the FWGNA group:
After a bit more than a year on line, the old Freshwater Gastropods of
South Carolina web site was beginning to show its age. Even snail
research moves forward, albeit slowly! So this morning I am
pleased to announce a fairly significant update for the
resource. Please revisit:
http://www.cofc.edu/%7Edillonr/FWGSC/
The overall style and organization of the site remains unchanged.
The database has increased from 510 to 583 records and the number of
species from 24 to 27, with the addition of Lioplax subcarinata, Gillia altilis, and Hebetancylus excentricus. Physa hendersoni is now synonymized
under Physa pomilia, and our
previous identification of Gyraulus
deflectus is emended to Gyraulus
parvus.
The biggest change is in the mapping. One of the most interesting
results of our present research program is that river drainages are
apparently irrelevant to freshwater gastropod distribution in the
American southeast. At a regional scale, freshwater gastropod
ranges seem to be influenced by climate, surface topography, and
geology, not by river system. The new FWGSC distribution maps,
expertly prepared by our good friend Dr. Doug Florian, feature EPA
Level III Ecoregions, which explain a lot about the patterns
conveyed. These are high resolution maps - zoom in for a better
look.
As usual, your comments are welcomed! The next update will be a
major one - four states rather than one. Stand by!
And keep in touch,
Rob
Dr Robert T. Dillon, Jr
Department of Biology, College of Charleston
FWGNA home...