Book overview
Land Snails of the Great Smoky Mountains and Southern Appalachians is the result of extensive research as part of Discover Life in America's All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI). The mollusca research began in 1999 and continued through 2013 with support from several mini-grants through DLIA. Prior to the ATBI, very little was known of the park's remarkable land snail diversity. Historical records preceding the (1998) ATBI project included around 91 species. Since then 55 species have been added, including two land snails previously unknown to science (Dourson 2012). Land Snails of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Southern Appalachians is presented in two parts, Part I specifically covers 146 land snails; 27 species with restricted distributions surrounding the park. Part II expands its reaches beyond park boundaries to include an additional 44 species found in the Southern Appalachian Mountains from around Mount Rogers, Virginia, south to Chilhowee Mountain, Tennessee. total, 203 land snail species are covered in this text; with an astonishing 54 species endemic to the region. Also illustrated are 15 aquatic snails found around or in the GSMNP. The book is fully illustrated with hundreds of color photo-graphs and drawings. A pictorial key for both parts is included and was de-signed for both the beginner and advanced malacologist alike. The book includes interesting facts about land snail ecology such as diet, reproduction, defense strategies, parasites, overall benefits and harmful effects on wildlife and humans. Also included is a comprehensive section devoted to exotic slugs.
