What’s InsideSOUTH AFRICA t. +33 345 1404 f. +33 345 0561 [email protected] Treasurer Dr....
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ISSN 1011-2375 Keeping the World of Malacology Informed Number 22 March 2005 What’s Inside Special Report: After the Tsunami 3 Journal Announcements 4 Book Reviews 4 UM Research Awards 5 Obituaries 6 Museum Announcements 7 Membership 7 Crossword 8 Accounts Report (2001-2003) 9 Dear Members, This is the new UMN, based on what you have told me you want (and some small refinements in the appearance). Although the present issue of UMN was ready for distribution in March, it was decided for financial reasons to delay distribution until six months after the previous issue. Frequency (and medium) of publication is still under consideration; I would be interested to hear your comments. Of the 326 current members of UNITAS, I received 31 responses to the general survey about the UMN contents. To be fair, this is not particularly impressive. However, it is guidance of a sort and I intend to follow it. These responses to various proposed newsletter contents give the total percentage of positive responses you gave me. The majority of the you are happy with electronic distribution of the newsletter, so postal copies will be sent only to affiliated associations, members without e- mail facilities or those who request it. Several readers are vehemently opposed to the presence of shell- identification questions, so those of you who feel this way will be relieved that open queries will not be included. It was generally agreed that although personal announcements are the least welcome, obituary notices are still of interest. Sadly, we have occasion to include two in this issue. Book reviews 94 % Professional announcements 87 % Literature summaries 83 % Interesting mollusc facts 80 % Dissertation announcements 70 % Natural history articles 63 % Art 47 % Anecdotal accounts 47 % Open queries 47 % (e.g. identification of shells) Personal notices 20 % Our contents, as in this issue, will focus on current reporting, book reviews, and publication and professional announcements. But dont forget to try out the crossword and send me your solution! The winner will be announced in the next issue as well as receiving a book prize. Particularly welcome in this issue is an article by Council member Somsak Panha, with a surprisingly optimistic report on the post- tsunami recovery in Thailand. Your submissions are very welcome as always, and I hope that the new format and contents guidelines may inspire you. JDS Our aim is to further the study of Mollusca by individuals, societies and institutions world-wide American Malacological Society Affiliated Organisations Friedrich Held Gesellschaft Instituto Portugus de Malacologia King Leopold III Foundation Latvian Malacological Society Malacological Society of Australasia Ltd Malacological Society of the Philippines Malacozoological Association of Yamaguchi Nederlandse Malacologische Vereniging Naturmuseum Senckenberg Sociedade Brasileira de Malacologia Sociedad Espaola de Malacologa Sociedad Malacolgica de Chile Societ Italiana di Malacologia Socit belge de Malacologie Society for Experimental and Descriptive Malacology Socit Franaise de Malacologie The Malacological Society of Japan The Malacological Society of London The Western Society of Malacologists Newsletter Editor: Julia Sigwart Collections-based Biology in Dublin (CoBiD) National Museum of Ireland, Natural History Division Merrion Street, Dublin 2, Ireland tel. +353 1 716 2195 e.mail: [email protected] Printing and distribution: E. Gittenberger
Transcript of What’s InsideSOUTH AFRICA t. +33 345 1404 f. +33 345 0561 [email protected] Treasurer Dr....
ISSN 1011-2375
Keeping the World of Malacology Informed
Number 22March 2005
What’s InsideSpecial Report:
After the Tsunami 3Journal Announcements 4Book Reviews 4UM Research Awards 5Obituaries 6Museum Announcements 7Membership 7Crossword 8Accounts Report (2001-2003) 9
Dear Members,
This is the new UMN, based onwhat you have told me you want(and some small refinements in theappearance). Although the presentissue of UMN was ready fordistribution in March, it wasdecided for financial reasons todelay distribution until six monthsafter the previous issue. Frequency(and medium) of publication is stillunder consideration; I would beinterested to hear your comments.Of the 326 current members ofUNITAS, I received 31 responsesto the general survey about theUMN contents. To be fair, this isnot particularly impressive.However, it is guidance of a sortand I intend to follow it. Theseresponses to various proposednewsletter contents give the totalpercentage of positive responsesyou gave me.
The majority of the you arehappy with electronic distributionof the newsletter, so postal copieswill be sent only to affiliatedassociations, members without e-mail facilities or those who requestit. Several readers are vehementlyopposed to the presence of shell-identification questions, so those ofyou who feel this way will berelieved that open queries will notbe included. It was generallyagreed that although personal
announcements are the leastwelcome, obituary notices are stillof interest. Sadly, we have occasionto include two in this issue.
Book reviews 94 %Professional announcements 87 %Literature summaries 83 %Interesting mollusc facts 80 %Dissertation announcements 70 %Natural history articles 63 %Art 47 %Anecdotal accounts 47 %Open queries 47 % (e.g. identification of shells)Personal notices 20 %
Our contents, as in this issue,will focus on current reporting,book reviews, and publication andprofessional announcements. Butdon’t forget to try out thecrossword and send me yoursolution! The winner will beannounced in the next issue as wellas receiving a book prize.Particularly welcome in this issueis an article by Council memberSomsak Panha, with a surprisinglyoptimistic report on the post-tsunami recovery in Thailand.
Your submissions are v e r ywelcome as always, and I hope thatthe new format and contentsguidelines may inspire you.
JDS
Our aim is to further the study of Mollusca by individuals, societies and institutions world-wide
American Malacological Society Affiliated Organisations Friedrich Held GesellschaftInstituto Português de Malacologia King Leopold III Foundation Latvian Malacological SocietyMalacological Society of Australasia Ltd Malacological Society of the Philippines Malacozoological Association of YamaguchiNederlandse Malacologische Vereniging Naturmuseum Senckenberg Sociedade Brasileira de MalacologiaSociedad Española de Malacología Sociedad Malacológica de Chile Società Italiana di MalacologiaSociété belge de Malacologie Society for Experimental and Descriptive Malacology Société Française de MalacologieThe Malacological Society of Japan The Malacological Society of London The Western Society of Malacologists
Newsletter Editor: Julia SigwartCollections-based Biology in Dublin (CoBiD)National Museum of Ireland, Natural History DivisionMerrion Street, Dublin 2, Irelandtel. +353 1 716 2195e.mail: [email protected]
Printing and distribution: E. Gittenberger
www.ucd.ie/zoology/unitas/
2 June 2005 Newsletter No. 22
Council of Unitas Malacologica
President
Prof. Dr Thierry BackeljauRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesVautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels,BELGIUMt. +32 2 627 43 39f. +32 2 627 41 41e. [email protected]
Secretary
Dr. Dai G. HerbertDepartment of Mollusca, Natal MuseumP. Bag 9070, Pietermaritzburg, 3200,SOUTH AFRICAt. +33 345 1404f. +33 345 0561e. [email protected]
Treasurer
Dr. Jackie Van GoethemRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences,Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 BrusselsBELGIUMt. +32 2 627 43 43f. +32 2 627 41 41e. [email protected]
Past President
Dr. Fred E. WellsWestern Australian Museum1 Francis Street, Perth 6000, Western Australia,AUSTRALIAt. +61 8 9427 2809f. +61 8 9427 2882e. [email protected]
Members of Council
Dr. Pablo Enrique PenchaszadehMuseo Argentino de Ciencias NaturalesBernardino Rivadavia, 1045 Buenos Aires,ARGENTINAt. +54 11 4576 3300 ext. 266f. +54 11 4982 4494e. [email protected]
Dr. Marco OliverioDipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell'UomoViale dell'Università 32, I-00185 Rome,ITALYt. +39 06 4991 4307f. +39 06 4958 259e. [email protected]
Dr. Somsak PanhaDepartment of BiologyFaculty of ScienceChulalongkorn UniversityPhyathai Road, PatumwanBangkok 10330THAILANDt. +662 218 5273f. +662 218 5273e. [email protected]
Dr. Guido PastorinoMuseo Argentino de Ciencias NaturalesAvda. Angel Gallardo 470 3er piso lab. 57,C1405DJR Buenos Aires,ARGENTINAt. +54-11-4982 6670f. +54-11-4982 4494e. [email protected]
Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 3
Special ReportA SURVEY OF THE IMPACTS OFTHE SOUTHEAST ASIANTSUNAMI ON SOMETERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATESINCLUDING MOLLUSCS
The tsunami that hit Southeast Asiaand the islands near there on December26, 2004 was devastating, killing tens ofthousands of people, and wiping outwhole communities. From the beginning,Chulalongkorn University has beeninvolved in assisting the victims and co-ordinating environmental restoration withthe Thai central government. I havebecome involved in assisting manymarine national parks through assessingthe impact of the tsunami on terrestrialbeach flora and fauna, beach forests,freshwater swamps, streams andmangrove forests.
In our rapid assessments, we havefound a lot of evidence of the impact ofthe giant waves. The sandy beach slopesof some places in Pangnga and Phukethave been reshaped to flat structures andthe waves washed away some pollutingagents. It is likely that the condition ofsome habitats is actually improved as aresult of the waves. Mole crabs (Emeritaemertus), mysis shrimps, olive shells(Olivella sp.), and some polychaeteworms appeared in enormous numbersone month after the waves. Prior to thetsunami these animals were reported tobe decreasing because of pollution, andsome of them are rare species.
Most of the trees on affected beacheshave died, except for coconuts and someother palm trees. The waves washed inabout two kilometres from the beach tothe forest fringes with the high velocitywater about 3-4 meters per second andhydrodynamic pressure about 400-800kilograms per square metre. This is morethan enough to destroy all hardconstructions and kill people andanimals.
One interesting finding from thesesurveys is that many tree snail speciesdied out because of a lack of shelter.Amphidromus atricallosus and Dyakiasalangana are the two species whichwere most effected. On Kam Island, asmall island of Ranong Province, I cansee an initial vicariance phenomenondividing two populations of A.atricallosus that have been separated bytsunami erosion. However, invertebratesliving in the mangrove areas are almostall safe. For example, one week after thetsunami I observed fiddler crabs (Ucaspp.) in mangrove areas. Ghost crabs(Ocypode ceratophthalma) appear to beincreasing based on observations of boththeir numbers and their holes. SomeEllobiidae, such as Cassidula and Pythiawere brought up to the forest fringe about1-2 kilometers away from mangroveforest together with Cerithidea sp.
Some islands, such as Kam Island,were split into two or three portionswhich are now divided by saltwater.Some freshwater swamps now havebecome hypersaline with salinity risingfrom freshwater to 38-40 ppt (comparedto the normal 25-30 ppt in marine water).The only three freshwater molluscs thatwere present have died (i.e., Filopaludinacf. javanica, Indoplanorbis exustus andMelanoides tuberculata), but some alienspecies like the snail P o m a c e acanaliculata survived. Other freshwaterinvertebrates are all gone (for example, afreshwater shrimp, Macrobrachium sp.).Some larger vertebrates such as frogshave now moved to other places orperished. These changes in salinity willhave huge effects in this uniqueecosystem.
These observations are based on arapid assessment of only someinvertebrates, especially molluscs. Thesurvey will be continued for a year toobserve changing conditions and note thelonger-term effects of the tsunami. Inaddition, these findings will help guide usin restoration efforts.
Somsak [email protected]
www.ucd.ie/zoology/unitas/
4 June 2005 Newsletter No. 22
A Good Journal Made NewHistorical Biologywww.tandf.co.uk/journals/onlinesamples.asp
Recently re-launched, HistoricalBiology (HBI) provides an internationaloutlet for high quality papers that dealwith systematics and evolutionary trendswithin animal and plant groups havingboth living and fossil representatives.Submissions from all fields ofpalaeontology, evolutionary biology andsystematics will be welcomed. In the firstplace, peer-reviewed articles will bepublished immediately once they areaccepted by the editorial team (viapreview; www.tandf.co.uk/preview), fullvolume contents appearing in printedform annually. In addition to regularpeer-reviewed scientific articles, HBIwill also publish longer monographicworks in the field of historical animaland plant systematics.
For malacological enquiries to HBI,please contact:
Dr. Daniel MillerCoordinator of Invertebrate CollectionsMuseum of PaleontologyUniversity of Michigan1109 Geddes RoadAnn Arbor, Michigan 48109-1079
e-mail: [email protected]
Yet Another New Journal
International Journal of BiologicalScienceswww.biolsci.org
International Journal of BiologicalSciences is a new peer-reviewed journalpublishing scientific papers ofsignificance in all areas of biologicalsciences, including cell biology,developmental biology, structuralbiology, microbiology, molecular biology& genetics, biochemistry, biotechnology,ecology, and bioinformatics.
The Journal aims at rapid publicationof high quality research results while
maintaining rigorous peer reviewprocess, with the goal to build a leadinginternational journal in the next fewyears. The Journal is committed to openaccess its online version to maximise thedistribution of articles. Full texts of allarticles will be made available inPubMed Central, the US NationalLibrary of Medicine's biomedical journalinformation archive. A print version ofthe Journal is also scheduled to publishfor subscription by worldwide researchlibraries.
Book ReviewsSCHULTZ, O., 2003. Bivalvia neogenica(Lucinoidea-Mactroidea). CatalogusFossilium Austriae 1(2), pp. i-x, 381-690,1 fig., pls 57-95. Verlag derÖsterreichischen Akademie derWissenschaften, Wien (ISBN 3-7001-3180-X). Price € 146
The second part (of three) of thiscatalogue was published with anattractive blue cover similar to that ofpart 1. The first 10 pages are devoted toadditions and corrections and 23supplemental references to the firstvolume. Many of the corrections concernchanges in the ending -acea to -oidea forsuperfamilies, as made mandatory in the1999 issue of ICZN rulings.
From p. 381 onwards the systematicpart is continued, following the Treatiseof Invertebrate Paleontology. In this part,the families Lucinidae, Thyasiridae,Ungulinidae, Chamidae, Erycinidae,Kelliidae, Leptonidae, Montacutidae,Galeommatidae, Sportellidae, Carditidae,Astartidae, Crassatellidae, Cardiidae,M a c t r i d a e , C a r d i l i i d a e a n dMesodesmatidae are treated in the samedetail as far as synonymy, andgeographical/ stratigraphical distributionare concerned.
Especially the extensive listing andillustration of all those interesting
Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 5
occurrences of largely endemic CentralParatethyan cardiids is very useful. Theplates, black & white photographs, are ofthe same excellent quality as in the firstpart. For some groups of smaller species(Erycinidae, Leptonidae, Montacutidaeetc.) one could have wished a highermagnification to clarify details,especially so for the hinges.
Considering the enormous number ofnames and synonyms it may be hopedand expected that the concluding volume3 will contain a very extensive index,facilitating the tracing of any name in thisvoluminous catalogue.
Again, I feel the need to express myadmiration to Dr Schultz for his valuablecontribution to European palaeontology.If we could ever have such a cataloguefor the gastropods as well …!
Arie W. [email protected]
CARRIKER, Melbourne, 2004.Taming Of The Oyster: a history ofevolving shellfisheries and the NationalShellfisheries Association264 pp. ISBN 0-9752881-0-5Sheridan Press.
This is a short and informative workon the history of the NationalShellfisheries Association (NSA), and ina way it is also a history of the shellfishindustry in the U.S. The emphasis ismalacological, particularly oysters, butthe work of the NSA extends tocrustaceans as well. The book includesmany excellent archival black and whitephotographs of people important to theearly and contemporary development ofthe NSA. Beyond the "who’s who" in thehistory of twentieth century shellfisheriesbiology (neatly summarised in table formin the appendix) the text contains adetailed legislative history ofshellfisheries regulation This is primarilydealt with in terms of the Association’sinternal debates on industry regulation.
The book is organised into two mainparts: on American organisations thatwere the predecessors to the NSA (1638-1930), and then a detailed history of theNSA itself (1930 – present) includingaccounts of the development ofpublications (Proc. NSA) and spin-offorganisations. This is an impressivework, and affectionately done.Carricker’s work would serve as anexcellent model for others who areinterested in chronicling the history ofany organisation. Perhaps someone willhonour Unitas with a similar homage inanother 50 years’ time.
For ordering information contactDr. Sandra Shumway<[email protected]>Department of Marine SciencesUniversity of Conneticut1080 Shennecossett RoadGroton, CT 06340
JDS
Student Research Awards
The deadline for submissions was31st May 2005! Two awards, each ofup to 1000, are offered every year tostudents engaged in research projectsof a malacological nature. Winnersfor 2004, announced at the UnitasGeneral Assembly in Perth were:
Christine ParentSimon Fraser University, CanadaSpeciation on islands – the bulimulidland snails of the Galapagos.
Rebecca RundellChicagoDeterminants of Diversity in the Palaudiplommatinid land snails.
For more information, contact:
Check the website for updateson winners for 2005!
www.ucd.ie/zoology/unitas/
6 June 2005 Newsletter No. 22
ObituariesNorman Newell
Norman D. Newell, a leadingevolutionary palaeontologist and CuratorEmeritus in the Division of Paleontologyat the American Museum of NaturalHistory, died at home in Leonia, NewJersey, on Monday, April 18, ending along and rich academic career. He was96.
In 1989, Stephen Jay Gould wrote, "Iwas Norman Newell's student, andeverything that I ever do, as long as Ilive, will be read as his legacy."
During the 1930s, Dr. Newell becamean internationally recognized authorityon fossil bivalve molluscs, his corespecialty. His research style andpublications served as models for younginvertebrate palaeontologists engaged inchanging the scope and image of theirdiscipline.
Funeral services were held at theChurch of the Good Shepherd, 1576Palisades Avenue, Fort Lee, New Jersey,07024 USA on Thursday, April 21.
Condolences may be sent throughNiles Eldredge; gifts in memorium maybe made to the Church of the GoodShepherd (above) or to the Norman D.Newell Endowment Fund, AmericanMuseum of Natural History.
[email protected] Museum of Natural HistoryCentral Park West & 79th StreetNew York, NY 10023
Richard Van Belle
After a long period of variousillnesses and hospital visits and stays,brought on by diabetes, our commonfriend and mentor, Richard A. Van Bellehas deceased in the comfort of his homein March 2005.
He has been cremated and an intimateservice was held in the presence of hisclosest relatives and friends. Our deepestsympathy goes out to his wife Margueritewho supported him in everything.
Richard has been a great support tomany of us, in our studies and research ofo u r c o m m o n i n t e r e s t , t h ePolyplacophora. He has left an immenseoeuvre to all of us and his collectionresides since little less than a year now inthe Royal Belgian Institute of NaturalSciences where it is currently beingcurated for final storage. Since a coupleof years, he felt he was unable to activelycontinue his research and decided totransfer his collection, library andcorrespondence to the RBINS where it isnow under the care of Dr J. L. VanGoethem and Miss Rose Sablon.
If any of you wish to express theircondolences, please do so by mail or e-mail to either Bruno Anseeuw or YvesTerryn and we'll see to it personally thatRichard's wife Marguerite receives yourwishes and condolences.
Bruno Anseeuw & Yves Terryn
Contact address:Yves TerrynKortrijksepoortstraat 1099000 GentBelgium(home): [email protected](business): [email protected]
Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 7
Museum AnnouncementsIRELAND
The National Museum of Ireland(Natural History Division; NMINH) ispleased to announce a new onlinecatalogue of part of its Molluscacollections, covering more than 3,300 dry(shell) lots of British and Irish origins.Collections include material from, e.g.J.G. Jeffreys. The collection database todate includes less than one-third of thetotal holdings.
Catalogued holdings are available inPDF format from:
www.ucd.ie/zoology/cobid/collections.html
SWITZERLAND
A new print catalogue of typecollections of the Natural HistoryMuseum, Bern has been published, asecond volume of nominal taxa describedby R.J. Shuttleworth, coveringPolyplacophora, Caenogastropoda, andBivalvia (79 pp). The book includes 20colour plates of specimens. Contact:
Addresses??Can anyone help in giving the present
address of the following members? Ifyou have information about currentcontact details for any of the peoplebelow, please pass them on to theTreasurer
Thank you!
• Prof. Fikret H. BILGINDicle Univ., Science FacultyDiyarbakir, Turkey
• Mr Nenad C. BOJATUniversity of Basle
• Dr. Massimo CRETELLAPozzuoli, Napoli
• Dr Beatrice MOOR, Basle
• Mr K.S. PETERSENGeological Survey of Denmark
• Dr Gitta Solange SCHMITTTallahassee
As you now know (see page 1) UMNwill be delivered electronically to allmembers for whom we have an e-mailaddress. If you would like to receiveUMN by mail, or you anticipate a changein address (electronic or postal) pleaseinform the editor (see p. 1 for contactdetails)!
MembershipCurrent annual subscription to Unitas
Malacologica is €16. However, membersare encouraged to subscribe for threeyears (€48).
Please pay your membership dues inEURO (€) at: Belgian Postcheque, B -1100 Brussels, on the account number000-1539068-66 of Unitas Malacologica,c/o RBINS, Vautier Street 29, B-1000BRUSSELS.
For international transactions youcan use IBAN code: BE07 0001 53906 8 6 6 ( a c c o u n t n u m b e r )BIC or SWIFT code: BPOTBEB 1 (tocharacterise the Belgian PostchequeBank)
Visa, Eurocard and Mastercard areaccepted as are international postalmoney orders (available from your postoffice), payment by bank draft in EUROcurrency, drawn on a Belgian bank.Receipts are not sent unless requested,except for cash transactions (which alsoare accepted).
A membership application form canbe obtained from the Treasurer.
www.ucd.ie/zoology/unitas/
8 June 2005 Newsletter No. 22
Quick Crossword: “Naturalists and Expeditions”1
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Crossword set by: Jussi Evertsen
ACROSS
1. German naturalist connected to thecurrent running between Antarctica andSouth America2. Co-author of "The Depths of the Ocean"3. Used by Nansen et al in 1893-96 in theNorthern Ice Sea4. Surname of Albert I, Prince of Monaco7. British food merchant and co-author ofthe "Nudibranch Bible" 1845-559. Danish physician and malacologistknown for his notorious details of anatomy10. French naturalist also known for ideasabout inheritance of adaptations by outerstimuli11. British expedition vessel whosevoyages in 1831-36 included CharlesDarwin13. German zoologist and arctic explorerconnected with the now extinctHydrodamalis gigas14. British expedition vessel who coveredall the oceans 1872-1876
15. Latinised first name of the founder ofmodern taxonomy16. French Huguenot and marine zoologistconsidered founder of modern comparativeanatomy
DOWN
1. Prince Albert I expeditions from 18852. "Zoologica Danica Prodromus"4. Danish expedition vessel who covered allthe oceans 1845-18475. Danish expedition in the North Atlantic1895-966. Eureka!8. British expedition 1869-70 from north ofBritain and Ireland to the Mediterranean12. American expedition 1877-80 coveringthe Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and east coastof North America13. Norwegian zoologist renowned for hiswork on crustaceans and molluscs
