I heard a lot of nice comments about my online presentation to the Charleston Natural History Society Wednesday evening. Several of you asked if the event might be available for later viewing.
Alas, it doesn't look as though my handsome face and cheery commentary were archived anywhere. But I have uploaded a pdf version of the powerpoint presentation I offered that evening on the FWGNA site, here:
The Freshwater Gastropods of South Carolina [pdf, 6.9 mb]
Abstract: Founded In 1998, the Freshwater Gastropods of North America
Project is the largest-scale inventory of any element of the macrobenthos ever
conducted in the United States. At present the survey extends over all or part
of 15 states, including the Atlantic drainages from Georgia to the New York
line, Ohio drainages above the mouth of the Cumberland, and Tennessee drainages
above Chattanooga. For the 113 species of freshwater snails inhabiting this
vast region we have developed dichotomous keys, range maps, figures, ecological
notes and an overall rank-abundance tabulation.
The first state surveyed by the FWGNA Project was South
Carolina. The rivers, streams, swamps, ponds and reservoirs of The Palmetto
State host a fauna of 35 freshwater gastropod species, 19 prosobranchs (bearing
gills) and 16 pulmonates (bearing lungs). Almost all are tiny, brown, and
obscure. None are endangered, commercially important, useful in any way, or
indeed even interesting. Three are exotic invasives, and another five
(apparently) domestic invasives, but of no consequence. Bring clothespins for
your eyelids, folks – this one’s a real snoozer.
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