Peter
Do you know if there is a list or book that has a comprehensive listing of BC
molluscs, or even a list of introduced mollucs.  I am IDing my shells using
American Seashells and the Audubon Guide.  There don't seem to be that many
molluscs as compared to the east coast, and a shell that is really different
(such as the Nuttalia) won't be confused with a native species, but I am
concerned that I might misidentify some of the small shells (micros) if an
introduced species looks similar to an introduced one.

Nora
Calgary, Alberta

Peter Egerton wrote:

> Hi Paul and Nora,
> I just finished reading the rest of my e-mail and read Paul's
> explanation of what this bivalve is. Although I have not seen
> a photo of the Japanese shell, it seems like a more likely
> one than a shell from the warm Baja and California area. I'd
> say it's definitely an introduced Nuttallia of some kind.
>
> You're right, we do have alot of introduced species in our
> area, and not just molluscs.
> It's really too bad as often they overrun the area and
> out-compete the native species. Sometimes you can go to an
> area and all you see is the introduced species:
> Nuttallia sp has all but whiped out the native Macomas in
> areas that used to be filled with them,
> There are Tapes philippinarum and Battillaria everywhere,
> European Starlings and sparrows comprise most of the small
> birds we see in our area (the foothold the introduced Mynahs
> had is lessening, though),
> Our local species of squirrel and chipmonk have been pushed
> out by the big black and grey introduced ones in some areas,
> There are goldfish and Red-eared slider turtles in our ponds,
> Our lakes are filled with Eurasian Millfoil weeds,
> Etc...I could go on, but won't...
>
> >Hi Nora,
> >It sounds like Nuttalia obscurata Reeve, a species of Sanguinolariidae (or
> >Psammobiidae) introduced into that area from japan, and common there in some
> >areas.
> >Regards,
> >Paul M.
> >
> >
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Peter Egerton, Vancouver, Canada
> Collector of worldwide Mollusca
> http://www.intergate.bc.ca/personal/seashell/index.html
> -------------------------------------------------------