tesO W £ EX LIBRIS ( William Healey Dali Division of Mollusks Sectional Library ■ - vu WNM mm NOTICE AT LEAST ONE OF THE EDGES OF THIS MAGAZINE HAS BEEN LEFT UNTRIMMED, BECAUSE OF AN EXTREMELY NARROW MARGIN. HERTZBERG-NEW METHOD, INC. c-y k, f6/ y\o'ii American .Jr £ sSZ,0!^ ronai Ub. nxty Malac&Iofdcal %inmn ANNUAL REPORT 1954 Twentieth Annual Meeting American Malacological Union — Pacific Division Seventh Annual Meeting 1 Membership List Revised December 1954 CONTENTS Twentieth Annual Meeting Constitution Seventh Annual Meeting, A.M.U.P.D. Member Clubs Announcements Executive Council Active and Corresponding Members in Memonam PAGE 1 16 21 28 32 33 34 ..Back Cover TWENTIETH ANNUAL MEETING of the AMERICAN MALACOLOGICAL UNION (Aug. 16, 17, 18, 1954) Long before the gasoline age brought tourists to New England, poets penned their praises of her summertime charm. The poet of today writes advertising jingle but the charm of New England remains to delight the sunv mer visitor. Just off a busy highway lies the little college town of Durham, New Hampshire; the fourscore delegates who attended the twentieth annual meeting as guests of the University of New Hampshire walked beneath elms which may well have cast their shade upon the bards who immortalized them so long ago. The meeting was scheduled to begin on Monday, August 16th, but before the campus bugler sounded taps on Sunday thirty early arrivals had registered and were ensconced in the dormitory rooms provided for their convenience. Having been greeted and warmly welcomed by host Prof. George M. Moore, they spent the evening hours in renewing old friendships and establishing new ones, for this was the second largest meeting in A.M.U. history and many new faces were in evidence. Official registration am d a meeting- of the Executive Council occupied Monday forenoon, and when at 1 :00 P.M. President Joseph C. Bequaert rapped for order the assemblage in the meeting room in Nesmith Hall was nearly complete. A cordial address of welcome was voiced by Dean Edward Y. Blewett; he remarked that malacology is but one of the many facets of knowledge that a dean of a College of Liberal Arts has to face. “The world is so full of a number of things!” quoted he in closing. In reply, President Bequaert paraphrased Dean Blewett’s observation by stating that the world is so full of a number of shells, and he noted that all phases of malacology were represented among the delegates before him. He then introduced the Dean of all malacologists, Dr. Henry A. Pilsbry who rose to acknowledge the warm applause of his admiring friends and colleagues. President Bequaert then introduced the first speaker: COMPARISON OF THE GASTROPOD FAUNA IN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, ILLINOIS Ralph W. Dexter Kent State University, Kent, Ohio (Abstract) Champaign County in east-central Illinois is a nearly level upland plain which contains exclusively the headwaters of six streams — the Salt Fork and Middle Fork of the Big Vermilion River, the Sangamon, Kaskas- kia, Embarrass, and Little Vermilion Rivers. While the headwaters are in close juxtaposition, the mouths of these rivers are widely separated. Gastro- pods were collected in the fall of 1934, spring of 1935, spring of 1945 and 1946, fall of 1951, spring of 1952 and 1953. Identifications of early collec- tions were made by Frank Collins Baker and N. T. Mattox. Twelve species (1) were collected as follows: Physa gyrina, P. anatina, Fossaria humilis modi - cella, Ferris sia tarda, Helisoma trirolvis, Goniobasis lirescens, Lymnaea obrussa , Campeloma rufum , Pleurocera acuta , Amnicola limosa , Gyraulus parvus , Pseudosuccinea columella . The common species were widely dis- tributed and for the most part found in all drainages. The only notable exception was P. anatina , identified by W. J. Clench, which had presumably been introduced into the drainage of a sewage disposal plant. Dispersal factors other than stream connections, which are far apart in this case, are possible aquatic birds and mammals. Slides which accompanied Dr. Dexter’s paper presented maps of the area under discussion. Pilsbry : “I think that you would have found greater differ- ences in distribution if the Unionidae had been considered; the gastropods are always more widely dispersed.” Jacobson: “You mention Campeloma rufum; is that not now considered to be C. decisum?” Morrison: “Those- species are entirely distinct; they both live in the James River and cannot interbreed since all of both species are parthenogenic females. However, I question that C. rufum lives in the Illinois area.”, Dexter: “F. C. Baker and others at the University of Illinois collected extensively there and he was firmly convinced that all: of them were C. rufum/’ ' VARIATION IN MESODOH FERRISSI PILSBRY Alan Solem , j; University Museums, Ann Arbor, Mich. (Abstract) As part of a long range study of ecological variation in land molkisca, the author has made a preliminary survey of conchometric variation in Mesodon ferrissi (Pilsbry) and summarized the historical records and known ecology of the species. Preliminary conclusions are that the limiting factor of distribution is moisture and that differences in spire height between specimens found on Clingman’s Dome (6600') and at the base of the Chimneys (2800') are statistically significant (means were more than 3 standard deviations apart) and probably are associated with the greater chances of dessication at the lower level, necessitating retreat deep into rock piles. Under such condi- tions, low spire would have selection value. Whether the. adaptation is genotypic or phenotypic is unknown. Mr. Solem’s paper was accompanied by kodachrome slides showing charts of collecting stations, the general topography of the area and the snails being collected in their natural habitat. Morrison : “I wonder if they range from beneath the stones at night. Did you collect at night?” Solem: “No.” Bequaert: “It would be interesting to try collecting by sugaring the trees in the area; snails often are so taken when trees are sugared for moths.” Jacob- son: “Do they look like any other species?” Solem : “Not really/ once" you start collecting them you couldn’t mistake them.” Bequaert: “It is dangerous to take statistics from a number of collections; how many did you Use?54 ' Solem : “I studied our collection at Ann Arbor, then at the Academy of Natural Sciences and MCZ:;— only three or four.” Bequaert: “Do you. know what proportion of the specimens were taken alive?” Pilsbry: “We got all of ours alive.” Solem: “In that area it is much easier to find live than dead shefUA (2) CHATTAHOOCHEE SURVEY William J. Clench Museum of Comparative Zoology (Abstract) This is a report of the ecological survey made during the summer of 1953 of the soon-to-be inundated areas of the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers in northern Florida and Georgia. Our part, in the over-all survey being carried out under the auspices of the University of Florida, was to collect land and freshwater mollusks before their habitat is destroyed or changed. We noted a distressing amount of silting in the Chattahoochee, rather less in the Flint which embraces several large springs. Further study is to be made when we leave for the area at the con- clusion of this meeting. One of the most pressing problems of mala- cologists right now is that of our own freshwater mollusks. The amount of work ahead is appalling and the need for immediate attention is urgent. Kodachrome slides pictured the area under discussion, examples of soil erosion and some of the shells collected. Solem: “Those are beautiful close-ups of the shells; who made them?” Clench: “Dr. Turner, in all cases.” Pilsbry: “Clench is doing valuable work there. Our freshwater shells are disappearing rapidly.” Bequaert: “I want to urge everybody: collect freshwater material in your own area and put all possible data on your labels. It will be increasingly valuable.” A FEW OLD SHELL BOOKS Richard, I. Johnson Needham, Mass. Mr. Johnson displayed a fascinating array of old books, all of which dealt with or touched upon shells; in one ancient tome a mermaid was pictured and described as a scientific fact. The first day’s meeting was adjourned at this point and the delegates hurried back to Fairchild Hall to change into collecting clothes, for a picnic supper was being prepared at Nubble Light, Maine. Though several cars made the 22 mile drive, carefully prepared directions brought all to the site without any becoming lost. True, one party quite prominent in malacological circles did drive away in the wrong car and returned unaware (until later!) that he was being sought by police in four states, but at the time nothing marred the serenity of a perfect evening in a perfect setting. The first (and in some cases, the second and the third) of a long series of lobsters was enjoyed, together with other ingredients of a good picnic. Collecting in the kelp at the tide-bared base of the cliff followed the feast, and unscheduled entertainment was afforded by a pair of divers who, equipped with aqualungs, entered the water on an unannounced mission. Dawn on Tuesday found a shivering group of collectors at Hilton Park on Little Bay (tidal estuary), 5 miles east of Durham; it is not recorded how many gallons of hot coffee were consumed nor how many doughnuts, but spirits lifted and sweaters were shed as the morning wore on. The area about the beautiful little park was thoroughly combed before the exodus back to town was made at mid^morning. O) Papers read at the afternoon session: THE POSITION OF LINNEAUS AS A BINOMIAL WRITER Henry Dodge Scarsdale, N. Y. Read by title; (Bequaert). (Abstract) In accepting the tenth edition of the “Systems naturae” as the starting point of binomial nomenclature the suggestion is made that we should dis- tinguish between our own practical acceptance of the work and Linnaeus* conception of it. Viewed realistically, the system of nomenclature used in the “Systema” was only a transition between the older polynomial specific names of his predecessors and the perfected binomial system of his suc- cessors. HYBRIDIZATION AMONG MOLLUSKS Paul Bartsch U. S. National Museum Read by title; (Abbott) . (Abstract) Recently a new complex of Pliocene Pyramidellidae from St. Peters- burg, Florida has been discovered. It is reminiscent of the complex of forms of both a West Coast and New England recent grouping in its degree of variation. Such hybrid colonies are common among the Rahaman Cerion colonies I transplanted to the Florida Keys and in several other Cerion colonies I have observed in my studies on this group. Near Washington, D. C. colonies of Goniobasis multilirata and G. virginica have met and hybridized producing a welter of forms. Transpor- tation of specimens on barges carrying coal has produced similar hybrid situations in parts of the Chesapeake-Ohio canal. Such examples of hybrid- ization are common throughout the organic world and often produce extreme inflorescenes of individuals which often extend their range far beyond that of neighboring stable forms. [The pliocene pyramidellidae combined features of two subgenera, Pyrgiscus and Strioturbonilla and the variation was illustrated on several excellent slides.] PILSBRY AND BRUNSON ON MAGHIPELTA MT COPHAGA Henry A. Pilsbry Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia (Abstract) In 1948 Dr. Pilsbry received a young specimen of a remarkable slug from near Lolo Pass in the Bitter Root mountains of Idaho. Shortly after publication as a new genus and species (Nautilus 67: 37-8, 1953), Prof. R. B. Brunson of the University of Montana collected a large number of these slugs on Deer Creek near Missoula, Montana. Complete details will soon be published. Dr. Pilsbry showed slides of the anatomy of the slug and explained its taxonomic position. Photographs of the active animal and a contracted one were passed around while detailed information on its habitat was read from Dr. Brunson’s notes. Teare: “Was there color to the mucus? Did the collector take a smear?” Pilsbry : “He didn’t say; I didn’t see the live specimen myself.” (4) MALACOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN CUBA Morris K. Jacobson Rockaway Beach, N. Y. (Abstract) Although the area about Vinales in Pinar del Rio Province in Western Cuba has been well known to collectors and visited by large numbers of malacologists, there is little reliable information regarding the distribution of the snails in the region. What is needed is first of all a reliable map with fixed names, since many localities have several names and the same name is applied to many different areas. Plotting the colonies of a single species such as Vianet regina Morelet, Emoda sagraiana Orbigny or Jeanneretia parraiana Orbigny will doubtlessly lead to important conclusions regarding true affinities, evolution and proper nomenclature. On a recent trip there, several interesting observations were made. In one case a Oleacina stra- minea Ferussac was detected in the act of scraping a hole in the shell of a Rhytidothyra bilabiata Orbigny to get at the animal inside. Similar holes were subsequently found in many dead shells. Proserpina nitida Sowerby of Jamaica in life covers the entire shell with a mantle much in the manner of the marine Cypraeidae, whereas the Cuban P. depressa Orbigny appar- ently does not possess such a mantle. This fact might be a better character- istic upon which to construct the subgenera than the ones now being employed. Live specimens of Cupulella dominguezi Jaume 8C Aguayo were seen in the type locality near La Palma to move about dragging their comparatively large shell with the spire downwards. This fact has not previously been noted in the literature. Even though Vinales is apparently so well known, there are countless opportunities for original and important work there. Living conditions are good and accommodations reasonable. It is possible to collect in the area with a minimum of physical discomfort. Mr. Jacobson’s Kodachrome slides provided a travelogue which entranced his audience. Bequaert: “I am especially interested in your report on how Oleacina bores into other mollusks.” Pilsbry: “Our Haplotrema has quite similar habits, making a hole behind the operculum.” A MOLLUSCAN STUDY OF MISSION BAY’S NEWLY FORMED SHORE LINE AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Roy L. Morrison San Diego, California (Abstract) Prior to 1949 Mr. Morrison had made a survey of Mission Bay which at that time had a shoreline of 7 miles, acres of mud flats and winding sloughs and was transversed by the San Diego River which empties into the Pacific Ocean. In this survey a total of 169 species of mollusks were col- lected. In 1949 the San Diego River Flood Control and the Mission Bay Development Project was begun. This project changed the physical proper- ties of Mission Bay to such an extent that the marine life was greatly altered. Old habitats were completely destroyed as were the molluscan forms inhab- iting these areas. The new shoreline is over thirty miles in length. Because of these changes a second survey was made, beginning with the first dredg- ing operation and continuing up to 1954. (?) More than 50 more species were found in the first survey than in the second. However, several species that had not been taken prior to the dredging of the Bay were collected during the second survey; evidently these came into the bay from the ocean by way of the greatly enlarged bay channel. Mr. Morrison’s paper was illustrated by two maps of the area; time did not permit discussion. A SHORT HISTORY OF THE MOLLUSK COLLECTION OF THE U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM Harald A. Rehder U. S. National Museum Read by R. Tucker Abbott. The photoslides which accompanied this paper pictured some of the curators of the past and a part of the collection as it appears today. With this paper the afternoon session was completed. Again there was a scramble to dress for a change of scene. It was a most welcome one for the delegates were entertained by General Frank R. and Dr. Jeanne S, Schwengel at a cocktail party and shore dinner. Two busses transported the party to Wentworth-by-the-Sea, a famous resort hotel at Newcastle, N. H. Following a social hour at the hotel the busses were re-boarded for the short trip to the beach where awaited a shore dinner de luxe. Properly attired in bib and cap the crowd to a man fell upon lobster and chicken, fish chowder and clams and a score of other viands; few of these were passed up for the sea air does give one an appetite. It was a jaded but determined crowd which made the trek to collect at Rye Harbor on Wednesday morning, but again coffee and doughnuts wrought their magic and were consumed in quantity by people who but a few short hours before had expected never to be hungry again. This spot offered the best collecting of the meeting, albeit the wettest. The extreme low tide exposed rocks heaped with wet (and slippery) kelp which harbored an abundance of mollusks together with other interesting denizens of the sea. An unusual feature was a peat bed, beset with granite boulders, exposed only at low tide; this relic of an ancient meadow afforded a chance to collect two species of boring mollusks, exposed in quantity by Prof. Moore who wielded the shovel. And he had brought but one shovel, for, as he explained, “No need to dig up the whole place; the peat won’t be renewed in our time and I like to bring my pupils down here.” All too soon came the call to leave, for a mid-morning session of papers had been scheduled. At 10:30 President Bequaert rapped for order and intro- duced the following: VARIATIONS IN THE OLIVE SHELLS OF WEST MEXICO Howard R. Hill Los Angeles Museum (Abstract) In nearly every family of univalve mollusk, certain species show con- siderable variation in color, size and shape. In the Olive Shell family, there are a number of variable forms found on the west coast from Mexico to Chile. One species in particular, Oliva spicata spicata Roding, is so variable that twenty-eight names have been applied to it and its nine varieties. Since no two authorities have agreed on the nomenclature for these forms, students and collectors have long been confused as to the proper scientific names to be used. (6) Oliva spicata spicata Roding is a common species, ranges from West Mexico to Panama Bay, According to color or form, the following varieties are recognized: O. s. violacea Marrat; O. s. pindarina Dud os; O. s. fuscata Marrat; O. s, cumin gi Reeve; O. s. hemphilli Johnson; O. 5. renulata Lamarck; O. 5. polpasia Duclos; O. 5. subangulata Philippi; O'. 5. obesina Duclos. Oliva juliettae Duclos was formerly considered a variety of O. spicata renulata Lamarck and Oliva incrassata Humphrey has two color varieties: O, i. nivea Pilsbry and the other, solid orange, which is 1 in-named. Five varieties of Oliva peruviana Lamarck have been described: O. p, livida Johnson; O. p, subcastanea Vanatta; O. p. castanea Johnson; O. p. fid - gurata Martins; O. p. coniformis Philippi. Olivella undatella Lamarck in- variable while Olivella volutella is usually unicolor with one banded variety: O. v. zonalis Lamarck. Agaronia testacea Lamarck shows consider-: able color and pattern variation, but the following species show but little variation: Oliva porphyria Linne; O. kaleontina Duclos; O. splendidula Sowerby;. Olivella columellaris Sowerby; O. dama Mawe; O', gracilis Brod. 8C Sowerby; O. inconspicua C. B. Adams; O. tergina Duclos; O. versicolor Marrat; O. petiolita Duclos; O. anazora Duclos. Dr, Hill presented Kodachrome slides of the various Olividae under dis^ cussion and supplied his interested audience with copies of his paper. Also on display were cases of shells including the unusual white O. incrassata nivea Pilsbry. Pilsbry: “There is an enormous amount of work to be done to determine the status of the varieties set up for this family.” Bequaert: “Yes, they are as variable and as much of a puzzle as the Cypraeidae.” Hill : “I think that most of these varieties will stand, since they are found together with the typical.” SMALL BEGINNINGS Adlai B. Wheel Syracuse, N. Y. No stranger to A.M.U. gatherings, Mr. Wheel is well known for his work with various boys’ clubs in Syracuse. He entertained his fellowunembers with slides depicting some of his 3800 boys engaged in various activities, not the least of which is a museum staffed by the boys themselves and stocked with the donations of organisations and individuals. He explained that his purpose was twofold: a plea for duplicate material of any kind from his listeners, and a greater plea that people be patient with all young people. “The kind of answer a boy receives may determine the direction of his next step.” Dr. Bequaert observed that from such groups as Mr. Wheel’s may come future members of this organisation and added his plea that such work be supported. SOME ZOOGEOGRAPHIC PROBLEMS AMONG BRACKISH WATER MOLLUSKS Joseph P. E. Morrison U. S. National Museum (Abstract) Among the Salt - marsh Snails, that is the Family Ellobiidae, there are many cases of extremely wide geographic distribution of species. In the first place, all the Salt-marsh Snails do not live exclusively in salt or brack- ish marshes. In certain places where there are neither salt marshes nor mangroves, such as certain rocky western shores of Panama, and on the (7) coral atolls of the Pacific, these primitive Pulmonate Land Snails live under the cobbles and drift of the island beaches. That is, they seek shelter there under the layers of rock cobbles near or just above the nomal high tide line during the day’s heat of the tropical sun, and wander out at night all over the beach rocks, etc. The three commonest species of Ellobiids found at Bikini in the Marshall Islands and also at Raroia in the Tuamotu Islands, Melampus luteus Quoy & Gaimard, Melampus violus Lesson, and Pira fas data Deshayes, all have a known species range from South Africa (or Mauritius) all the way eastward to the Tuamotus (or Easter Island). A second species of Pira , however, is different. This small, pale white species, Pira mucronata Gould, has long been misunderstood. It was rediscovered in 1952 in large populations under the coral cobbles of island beaches at Raroia Atoll in the Tuamotu Islands. It differs in habit from its relatives by remaining in the interspaces under the rocks and gravel of these coral cobble beaches of the Tuamotu Islands, both day and night. One of the smallest, perhaps the smallest in size of all the genera of Ellobiids was also found sparingly but definitely living on these same island shores. The genus Microtralia is now known from both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Microtralia occidentalis Pfeiffer is recorded from Florida and the West Indies, while the very similar Microtralia lucida Pease is known from Bikini in the Marshall Islands, Lifu in the Loyalty Islands, the Hawaiian Islands, and from Raroia in the Tuamotus. This gives us one more example of an Ellobiid genus that is found in the tropical and sub- tropical zones of both oceans, and perhaps attests to the antiquity of the genus. It seems likely that these forms, living now on both sides of the Isthmus of Panama, must date from before the middle of the Miocene when this isthmus was raised to effectively separate the two oceans. In other words, the genus Microtralia, like some of its relatives, is probably more than 40 million years old! In the only exclusively United States species of the family, Detracia floridana Pfeiffer, we have recently gotten confirmation of the pelagic stage in the life history. This at least partly explains the wide geographic distri- bution of certain species. An interesting problem concerning populations of this species was observed on August 1st, 1954. The egg-laying season of Detracia floridana in Chesapeake Bay localities was observed to end about the 1st of July in both 1953 and 1954. On the 1st of August, 1954, speci- mens of the 1954 brood, already finished with the pelagic stage, and settled as young snails on shore in the region of the high tide line, were observed and collected from three different localities in the upper Chesapeake Bay area, in Kent County, Maryland. On the same day, August 1st, 1954, Detracia floridana adults, with eggs in their habitat, were collected in the Bombay Hook Wild Refuge on the western shore of Delaware Bay. What factor can explain this one month’s differential in the end of the egg-laying season, in the two bays, at localities separated by less than ten miles differ- ence in north latitude? It seems logical that these two areas in Chesapeake and Delaware Bays probably have almost identical temperature maximums, minimums, and means. More than 50 miles difference in latitude has not been observed to produce any difference in the end of the breeding season in separate local populations in Chesapeake Bay waters. In the American Corbiculidae, the larger brackish-water clams, there are some very interesting generic distinctions. Polymesoda , typified by the United States species Polymesoda caroliniana Bose, which has a range from (8) the James River of Virginia to Texas, includes only four other known species. These are all from the Atlantic shores of continental America, the southernmost being recorded from the Guianas. This genus has the deep and separate pallial sinus described as typical for all American members of the family, and a smooth shell covered with finely crinkled, velvety epidermal folds along the growth lines. Neocyrena is similar to Polymesoda, but it has those epidermal folds filled with shell material, so that the epider- mis is smooth and shiny, while the shells are regularly and evenly corru- gated. The species of Neocyrena known are all Central and South Amer- ican, but members of this genus occur in both Atlantic and Pacific waters. Any one species is either Atlantic or Pacific. The West-american genus Egetaria is similar to the East-american Polymesoda in possessing the crinkled epidermal folds over a smoothish shell, but its epidermal “velvet” is only about half as prominent as that of Polymesoda. In contrast, the pallial sinus of Egetaria is very small, hardly separated from the posterior adductor muscle scar. On further examination we find that the West- american Egetaria are almost identical to the Malaysian, Indonesian, and Philippine Island genus Geloina. The epidermal and pallial sinus characters of these two are so nearly identical, that it is possible they may eventually prove to be one and the same genus. If this be so, we would have in this case another good example of relict groups of one brackish-water genus in geographically widely separate areas. The other family of brackish-water claims, the Cyrenoididae, is a small group of species of smaller size, considerably less familiar to even most malacologists. These little round clams externally resemble members of the genus Musculium of the (freshwater) family Sphaeriidae, but there are only cardinal teeth on the hinge of Cyrenoida. In addition, the habitat of Cyrenoida is always in brackish waters. The type species, Cyrenoida dupontia Joannis is known from West Africa. All other known species are American, living on both East Pacific and West Atlantic shores. Species are known from the region about Panama City, and the Pearl Islands in the Gulf of Panama. On the Atlantic side, these little clams are known from Purto Rico, Cuba, and the Bahamas, in addition to one species in the United States. The U. S. species, Cyrenoida floridana Dali, has long been known from various localities on both east and west coats of Florida, and from the coast of Georgia. In recent years, Ralph W. Jackson of Cam- bridge, Maryland, F. M. Uhler of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the writer, have collected the species floridana from six different localities on Chesapeake Bay (from Northampton and Accomac Counties on the eastern shore of Virginia, and from Dorchester, Anne Arundel, and Queen Anne’s Counties, Maryland). Just a few days ago (August 1st, 1954) it was my good fortune to find a thriving population of this species in Bear Swamp in the Bombay Hook, Fish and Wildlife Refuge, on Delaware Bay. Having personally collected Cyrenoida clams alive on twelve different occasions, including the northernmost and the southernmost American localities known to me to date, it is easy to understand how they are so easily overlooked, and why they are so uncommon in shell collections. At least the northern populations of Cyrenoida floridana are apparently inter- tidal in habitat, and live in the more brackish water zones, that is toward the freshwater or land side of the salt-marshes. This little clam has been found (in nearly every case of which I know the details) either in the same spot, or in the same general swamp habitat, in company with Detracia (9) floridana, or Melampus bidentatus lineatus, or both. The Cyrenoida is to be found just under the surface of and in the rotting grasses matted around the bases of or between the clumps of grasses or reeds in the swamp areas in which Detracia floridana may be found abundantly. The Detracia snails may be readily visible, active on the surface of the mud or grasses when their sheltering cover is parted or moved to one side. The pale whitish Cyrenoida clams should be searched for in the same habitat, just below the top wet layer of rotting grasses or sedge leaves, under cover, but still out of the water (that is, intertidal) whenever the tide is low. The case of Cyrenoida floridana gives us another good example of a subtropical form living far to the north in favorable habitats of the Atlantic coastal plain. McMichael : “How can the same species of Ellobiidae occur in Bikini and Hawaii?11 Morrison: “I believe such extremely wide ranges are possible because of the pelagic stage in the life history of many members of the family.11 Clench: “How long is the free'swimming period of DetraciaV ' Morrison: “I was able to see the larvae swim away from the egg'mass, and I have pictures to prove this larval stage. The only observation is that these larvae just about double their si2;e from the time they leave the egg' capsule, until the time they settle as young snails on the shore. No one knows how long this free 'swimming (growth) period takes.” Clench: “There is great need to trace the life histories of our mollusks; we need more such data to back up our theories.” Abbott: “Let’s not forget that some mollusks which do not pass through a pelagic stage nevertheless have wide geographic distribution.” (A break for lunch; papers resumed at 1:30 P.M.) THE GENUS MELONGENA Ruth D. Turner Museum of Comparative Zoology (Abstract) Restricted to the tropical and south temperate portions of the Western Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific, the genus Melon gena is comprised of three species: M. melongena L., M. patula Brod. 8C Sow., and M. corona Gmelin. The latter species is exceedingly variable and we recognize four sub-species. Distribution of Melongena is an interesting study. M. patula is limited in range from Mexico to Equador; M. melongena has an erratic and inter- esting distribution in the West Indies, while M. corona and all but one of its sub-species is restricted to Florida and the Northern Gulf coast. Of these, M. c. bispinosa Philippi poses a real problem in its occurrence in Yucatan. This is discussed at length and a new sub-species is to be described in a forthcoming issue of “Johnsonia.” Kodachrome slides of Melongena species followed this paper. Teskey: “One of the specimens appeared white; was it an albino?” Turner: “Yes, albinism does occur in this family.” Pilsbry: “Were the sped' mens I sent from Lake Worth M. altispira ?” Turner: “Yes.” Abbott: “The National Museum has specimens from Yucatan.” Bequaert: “Collectors down there should be alerted to watch for Melongena .” Michelson: “Are the egg capsules firmly attached to bottom objects?” Turner: “Yes indeed; they come up in a continuous string. You can’t explain the errotic distribution that way.” Bequaert: “The current would be against it, too.” Pilsbry: “Have you con' sidered the Pliocene forms in this study?” Turner: “Yes, and we can match them almost exactly with the recent forms.” (10) ' DAN LANGFORD Jeanne S. Schwengel .. : i : aq-: ' Scarsdale,’ N. Y. (Abstract) This was a most Interesting letter, from. Dr. D. Thaanum of Honolulu* summarizing the' life of his brother-in-law, Dr. Dan. Langford whose name has been given to many shells of his adopted country* Japan. Born in North Dakota : In 1882* he was 'brought to -Hawaii at the : age of six' when : his. family . settled - there. - A brilliant student* he . prepared for a teaching ■ career hut later entered the employ of the Territorial Board of Agriculture. After World War I he went to- Japan as waterfront reporter for a? Japanese- English- daily, was later employed as teacher ; of English at ; Reid University. Arrested. -by -'the Japanese- at the beginning of "World War II he was held for. six-months -in solitary -confinement, unaware that his native and adopted countries were -at war. Finally released as an exchange prisoner* he worked for. -and with- the U. S. Navy during the last months -of the war. "Later he iwa$ sent- to Guam as entomologist for the Trust Territory, finally residing -again: in- ■Japan- which he loved and where he died. Dr. Thaanum’s letter .describes- how he had watched the awakening of Langford as hoy and. man "to the world of Nature* and how during Dr. Langford’s life a day In which he did not obtain a. new shell was a day wasted. ' Copies of , two citations from the U. S. Armed Forces accompanied this letter, and a letter to Dr. Schwengel from Dr. Langford’s widow was read by Mr. Yoshib Kondo since it was in Japanese. . .GENE EXCHANGES In. FRESHWATER : MUSSEL. . POPULATION Donald F. McMichael Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia (Abstract) ' When 'modern species concepts are applied to freshwater mussels* the reproductive relationship between adjacent Isolated populations must be considered. Populations which are reproductively Isolated can be considered different species* but populations of the same species will be capable of interbreeding. If two populations are effectively isolated for a sufficiently long period of time* we should expect some genetic divergence to be apparent. Geographical isolating barriers- between freshwater mussel populations are the land masses between neighboring lakes and rivers* and the sea between the river mouths. The same species of mussel is often found in a series of streams which have been separated from each other continuously for long periods of time* possibly since the middle Miocene * and where there has been no recent glaciation. If isolation between the populations were complete* we should expect a great deal of genetic divergence, and many subspecies. Since this is not the case* we must assume that the Isolating barriers are broken at a sufficient rate to prevent speciation. This gene exchange is probably effected by aquatic birds and insects carrying small or adult mussels on their feet* feathers or legs. Species may sometimes be introduced to new localities as glochidia infecting a school of fish* transported by cyclonic winds. (ID The previous literature of Van der Schalie (1939, 1945) and D, W. Johnson (1939, 1941, 1942) was reviewed and there seems to be abundant evidence that bird transfer of mussels is not only theoretically probable, but actually occurs. From this theory, we can further suggest that new species might arise by a similar transfer over a much greater distance. Island species may also have arisen in this manner. Pilsbry: “Stream capture over the past million years might account for some of this; it is by no means simple to explain, especially in the New Zealand cases. Considering transferal by birds, you must start with gravid females." McMichael: “Why could not very small mussels be so transferred?" Pilsbry: “Then you’d need a pair." McMichael: “I mean a small population which could be transported on one trip." Pilsbry: “Or maybe the transfer was accom- plished by humans, say by traveling Maori tribesmen who took them for food. It is very confusing; our Tennessee- Alabama fauna could have been so mixed- up but was not." Jacobson: “Migration paths of birds have been studied in this connection and in the case of some of our transplanted Staten Island unios have been found to coincide." Abbott: “Again, maybe the birds took that route because of the presence of the clams as food; it’s a case of the chicken or the egg. And how long can a clam remain alive if held open?" Pilsbry: “It’s a long flight from Australia to New Zealand." McMichael:: “I think you should consider small forms, not big birds and big clams." Clench: “We have a specimen of Elliptio clamped on the foot of a duck which was shot. The clam was full-grown though immature." Morrison: “In Raroia I saw a golden plover with a small clam dangling on one foot; it was alone so maybe was delayed by this in its usual migratory flight to Alaska." McMichael: “You are still thinking of great distances; in Australia it is a short hop from one tributary to another." An intermission of fifteen minutes at this time gave delegates an oppor- tunity to examine living specimens of several of the New England nudibranchs which Prof. Moore had set up under microscopes in a laboratory, as well as a series of color photographs of these exquisite mollusks. THE TRIALS, TRIBULATIONS AND REWARDS OF A SHELL DEALER Mrs. F. Knight Hadley West Newton, Mass. (Abstract) Since a shell dealer must of necessity be a shell lover, the rewards far outweigh the trials of the trade. Chief among the latter is the uncertainty of obtaining high-grade material from unknown collectors or dealers; often time and shipping costs are wasted on' someone with but inferior shells to offer. Another problem is maintaining a price commensurate with the ever- lessening rarity of certain species. And nomenclature brings trouble when customers order shells by the common names which so often exist but locally. Rewards come with every contact with a satisfied customer. Lasting friendships have come as a result of a relationship which began as routine correspondence. One does not get-rich-quick in the shell business, but any collector knows that life holds much more than riches. (12) Kodachrome slides pictured the Hadleys themselves on collecting trips and some of the choice shells in their personal collection. GROWTH STUDY OF SALTMARSH SNAILS Paul A. Holle University of New Hampshire, Durham, N .H. Read by title because of lack of time. (Abstract) The growth rates of saltmarsh snails (Melampus bidentatus Say) are unrecorded. Therefore an experiment was designed involving 1633 speci- mens from three saltmarshes in New Hampshire and Massachusetts which were collected, measured, marked and released in May, 1953. Six months later (October, 1953) 50 specimens were recovered. Having erroneously anticipated rapid growth, the technique used proved crude and inaccurate in that the greatest increase in total shell length was 1 mm. Interchange of specimens from several ecologically different sites suggested that drainage rate of fresh water from the saltmarshes in some manner affect the growth rate and maximum size of the specimens. A VARIATION OF ELLIPTIC) COMPLANATUS SOLANDER Herbert D. Athearm Taunton, Mass. (Abstract) During the last century, Isaac Lea gave specific recognition to a large number of variations of Elliptic complanatus. Among these were Elliptic roanokensis and Elliptio northamptonensis. These titles are synonymous. This variant differs from the typical complanatus in that it is larger, more elongated, subrhomboid rather than rhomboid, more compressed and usually exhibits a shallow radial depression in front of the posterior ridge. The form is sometimes found in the generally shallow sections of streams where the water is flowing fairly rapidly over a packed sand and gravel bottom. Records range from the Michipicoten River near Lake Superior in Ontario to Lime Kiln Creek in Coweta County, Georgia, where the waters flow into the Gulf of Mexico by way of the Apalachicola River system. A. E. Ortmann, in his A MONOGRAPH OF THE NAIADES OF PENNSYLVANIA, using the title violaceus in place of the now recognized title of complanatus states, “The ability of Elliptio violaceus to live every- where under a great variety of environmental conditions undoubtedly accounts for its great variability, as well as its tendency to develop many different phases, which may turn up anywhere under proper conditions, but which do not lead to the development of geographical races, at least in our territory.,, In large streams where habitats such as long sandbars form an abrupt line of demarcation between them and an adjacent, perhaps some- what deeper mud or clay bottom, the variants within the species are usually quite distinct. In smaller streams where there is an equal contrast in habitat, although on a smaller scale, the variants within the species will i merge with one another. Where a stream is found containing a consistent environment, one will find Elliptio complanatus to be quite unvarying in shape, excepting of course, where mechanical obstructions have distorted the shell. (13) When such individual environments become permanently separated by topographic or climatologic changes, the species seems particularly adapt- able to transform itself into various constant forms which must be identi- fied as subspecies and in more advanced cases, as species. This is the case with our Floridian Elliptios. Such permanent changes of environmental conditions have not taken place where the variant roanokensis or northamptonensis exists in the St. Lawrence River and the Atlantic Coastal Plain systems. In this instance therefore, there appears to be no scientific purpose in giving this variant specific or sub-specific rank. Read by title because of lack of time. Since the afternoon was drawing to a close, Dr. Bequaert announced with regret that two scheduled papers could not be delivered, since the time left was only sufficient for the annual business meeting. He then called for the report of the business transacted by the Executive Council at the meeting of that body on Monday A.M. A cash balance of $399.86 and a life membership fund of $177.97 was reported, the treasurer’s report approved as read. The secretary reported that the Council had been notified that 175 mem- bers had voted for adoption of the new Constitution, one against, and that said Constitution was therefore in force as of that date. A petition by the secretary that a new office, that of Publications Editor, be created was heard and favorably received. Since this act will involve a change in the Constitu- tion a vote of the membership must be taken; President Bequaert appointed Prof. George M. Moore to act as Publications Editor pro tern. Upon noth fication by the Treasurer that the annual dues of $1.00 are inadequate to meet current expenses, it was moved, seconded, and carried that a by daw be added to the Constitution whereby annual dues are increased to $2.00, additional members of a family eligible to become members for $1.00 each. It was recom- mended by the Council that the life membership provision in the Constitution (Article 3, line 5, 6) be changed to read: “Life membership may be purchased for the equivalent of twenty years’ annual dues, with no further payment required.’’ This too must be voted upon by the membership as a whole. It was tentatively decided that the 1955 meeting will be held in New York City, the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Shell Club to act as co-hosts. Date and details will be announced. The following panel of nominated officers was placed before the delegates : President Morris K. Jacobson W ice'P resident Allyn G. Smith Second Wice'P resident Ralph O. Fox Secretary 'Treasurer .....Margaret C. Teskey Councillor S' at'Large — R. Tucker Abbott, Anthony D’Attilio, Yoshio Kondo, Ruth D. Turner The secretary’s report was accepted as read, and it was moved, seconded and carried that the nominated panel be declared elected by acclaim. President Bequaert voiced the gratitude of every person present when he thanked Prof. Moore for his hospitality and the detailed planning which had caused events of the three days to proceed so smoothly. President Bequaert then introduced his successor. President Jacobson added his thanks to those of Dr. Bequaert, remarking as he closed the business meeting that the New York folks have been set a high goal as they plan for next year’s meeting. (14) Last on the scheduled program was the annual banquet which in New England could not be other than a shore dinner. The scene shifted to Simp" son’s Pavilion. Place cards were decorated with boxed specimens of Meso' desma arctic a Gould, a bivalve collected in the shifting sand of the beach at the mouth of a tidal estuary, the Hampton River. Once again King Lobster reigned and once again he was deposed amid a rubble of cracked and broken shell. The meal over, guests retired to the porches while the tables were cleared and seats re-arranged. It had been whispered that a treat was to come and the rumor was proven true when pretty Kiyoko (Mrs. Yoshio Kondo) danced a series of hulas to the accompaniment of records which she had brought from her home in Hawaii. The second half of the evening’s entertainment was provided by Pro- fessor C. F. Jackson, retired Dean and Professor of Zoology of the University of New Hampshire. He transported his audience to quite another scene, the area north of the St. Lawrence where as a mammologist he had made several collecting trips. By slides and anecdotes he made hardship sound enjoyable, and it was a rude awakening when the lights came on and it was time to say goodbye all around. It is a temptation to label each meeting “the best ever” as it occurs; let it be said that the Durham meeting was one of the best and that it will be a long time before those who attended forget the completely enjoyable occasion. Margaret C. Teskey, Secretary REGISTRATION, TWENTIETH ANNUAL MEETING R. Tucker Abbott, U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C. Mrs. Eliot Armstrong, Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Athearn, Taunton, Mass. Dr. and Mrs. H. B. Baker, Univ. of Penn., Philadelphia Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Bequaert, Museum of Comp. ZooL, Cambridge, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Alvin C. Bippus, Jr., Toledo, Ohio Mr. and Mrs. Alger P. Blaine, Springfield, Mass. Dr. Merrill E. Champion, Wakefield, Mass. Austin W. Cheever, M.D., Boston, Mass. Martin Chicoine, New York City Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Clarke, Jr., Watertown, Mass. Dr. and Mrs. William J. Clench, Museum Comp. ZooL, Cambridge, Mass. Mrs. Lilias F. Cockerell, Sanibel, Florida Mrs. Z. W. Craine, Norwich, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Anthony D’Attilio, Valley Stream, Long Island, N. Y. Lawrence D’Attilio, Valley Stream, Long Island, N. Y. Sandra D’Attilio, Valley Stream, Long Island, N. Y. Dr. Ralph W. Dexter, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio Mr. and Mrs. F. Knight Hadley, West Newton, Mass. Dr. and Mrs. Howard R. Hill, Los Angeles Museum, California Mrs. Fred St. John Hoffman, Buffalo, N. Y. Paul A. Holle, University of New Hampshire, Durham, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Morris K. Jacobson, Rockaway Beach, New York Mr. and Mrs. Richard I. Johnson, Needham, Mass. Margaret Kain, Cambridge, Mass. (15) Rev. and Mrs. Albert B. Kettell, Princeton, Maine Mr. and Mrs. Yoshio Kondo, Bernice Bishop Muesum, Honolulu, T.H. Bernice Leland, Boston, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Clinton V. MacCoy, Norwell, Mass. Gordon K. MacMillan, Pittsburgh, Pa. Donald F. McMichael, Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia Arnon L. Mehring, Hyattsville, Md. Harvey G. Meyer, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn. Edward H. Michelson, Museum of Comp. ZooL, Cambridge, Mass. Commander and Mrs. Alexander Moberg, New Bedford, Mass. Dr. George M. Moore, Univ. of New Hampshire, Durham, N. H. Dr. and Mrs. Joseph P. E. Morrison, U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C. Lilian B. E. Morrison, Falls Church, Va. Michael P. E. Morrison, Falls Church, Va. Roy L. Morrison, San Diego, Calif. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Musial, Buffalo, N. Y. Dr. and Mrs. Juan J. Parodiz, Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa. Dr. Henry A. Pilsbry, National Academy of Science, Philadelphia Murray E. Reed, St. Petersburg, Florida Dr. and Mrs. Harald A. Rehder, U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C. Dr. Henry D. Russell, Dover, Mass. Dr. Jeanne S. Schwengel, Scarsdale, N. Y. Mrs. Mary Shephard, Detroit, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Alan Solem, University Museums, Ann Arbor, Mich. Edward A. Sossen, Museum of Comp. Zool., Cambridge, Mass. Mrs. Emery Swan, Durham, N. H. Mrs. Margaret M. Teare, Buffalo, N. Y. Mrs. Margaret C. Teskey, Buffalo, N. Y. Harriet W. Thomson, Eugene, Oregon Mr. and Mrs. Fred Tobleman, Newark, N. J. Dr. Ruth D. Turner, Museum of Comp. Zool., Cambridge, Mass. Capt. Adlai B. Wheel, Syracuse, N. Y. CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN MALACOLOGICAL UNION (Adopted August 16, 1954) 1. This Society shall be called “The American Malacological Union.” 2. Its object shall be the promotion of the science of malacology by holding meetings for reading and discussion of papers, and for furthering the interests of students and collectors of shells by facilitating acquaintance and co-operation among the members. 3. Membership is open to persons resident in the Americas and Hawaii who are interested in mollusks. Those not resident in the Americas or Hawaii may become corresponding members. Membership is granted to those making written application to the Secretary-Treasurer. Annual dues are set forth in the by-laws. Life membership may be purchased for twenty-five dollars, with no further annual dues required. Honorary (16) membership may be bestowed by a unanimous vote of the council upon those who have contributed in an outstanding way to malacology. These memberships may not exceed five living members. 4. The following officers shall be elected annually by ballot : President, Vice' President, Second Vice-President (Chairman, A.M.U. P., elected by the Pacific Division), Secretary-Treasurer, and four Councillors-at-Large. 5. The government of the Society shall be vested in the Council which shall consist of the officers, honorary and past presidents, and not more than four councillors-at-large. Members of the Council present at any annual meeting shall constitute a quorum. At other times the Council may con- sider matters pertaining to the Society and vote upon them by mail. 6. The annual meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be fixed by the Council at the preceding annual meeting. Meetings of the Pacific Division may be held as that branch may determine. 7. The officers of the Pacific Division, or any subsequently organized divi- sion, shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary- Treas- urer. The Executive Council shall consist of these officers and four addi- tional members-at-large who have been past officers. The Division shall choose a representative to serve as a voting member at the annual Council meeting of the Union. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be empowered to accept and transmit A.M.U. dues and a list of members to the A.M.U. Secretary annually. 8. Proposals for the alteration of this constitution when signed by five mem- bers and submitted to the Council shall be acted upon at the next annual meeting. Concurrence of three-fourths of the members casting a ballot by mail, providing that notice of the proposed action has been sent to each voting member at least thirty days before the date of the vote, is necessary for any alteration. 9. The Society may enact by-laws that interpret this Constitution, and such by-laws may be adopted, amended or repealed by a two-thirds majority of those voting at an annual meeting of the Society. 10. The official publication of the Society shall be the Annual Report of the A.M.U. which shall contain accounts of meetings, notices, and a list of active and honorary members. BY-LAWS 1. The annual dues shall be one dollar. 2. (August 16, 1954) The annual dues shall be two dollars, with any addi- tional member of a family eligible to become a member for annual dues of one dollar. (18) DELEGATES TO TWENTIETH ANNUAL MEETING, AMERICAN MALACOLOGICAL UNION sifss *■* © * zy & . 3*S *““* oS * - fci 0* J3 sS2-^«-m5 n *5 . • PA _T _. r. CJ 2 &^0 »|IJlJ|c U« fi B 5 ^ £ 0 bh