Collections
The LACM Malacology collection ranks third in the US in terms of number of lots and specimens, and contains the largest collection of eastern Pacific mollusks (Arctic Alaska to southern Chile) in the world. The extensive travels and research of emeritus curator Dr. James McLean have substantially increased the Malacology holdings to that of a world class collection. Even though the collection maintains an emphasis on the eastern Pacific region it is world-wide in scope. Mollusks of the Californian (Point Conception, California to central Baja California) and Panamic (central Baja California to northern Peru) zoogeographic provinces are particularly well represented. The Alaskan holdings were substantially increased in 1992 with the acquistion of mollusks from the collection of the late Rae Baxter.
The collection contains representatives of all of the molluscan clades, although the current emphasis is with the shelled marine gastropods. Marine bivalves, chitons, and scaphopods are also well represented as are freshwater bivalves. LACM maintains one of the largest collections of micromollusks in the US including the micro-gastropod families Rissoidae, Vitrinellidae, and Caecidae. Holdings of the gastropod family Terebridae were greatly increased by the recent acquisition of the Twila Bratcher collection.
The Malacology collection consists of dry and alcohol-preserved material and is currently being computer cataloged. Requests for loans are subject to approval by the Curator and can only be made to persons affiliated with museums or recognized research institutions. Database generated reports of computer cataloged species can be obtained on-line. Researchers who wish to deposit voucher specimens should provide identified specimens with locality data as complete as possible, including depth or altitude, specific habitat, specific locality, latitude and longitude, name of collector and research vessel, and date of collection.
For a detailed description of the LACM Malacology collection policies and guidelines please download this document. Individuals who wish to visit the collections, borrow specimens, or donate specimens or other contributions are encouraged to read this collection policy document in advance (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the document. You will need to have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer before you can open this file. If you do not have access to this program, a free download can be found here).
A numerically arranged type collection contains over 1,400 primary and secondary types (holotypes, paratypes, lectotypes, paralectotypes, syntypes, & neotypes) from the publications of staff members, research associates, and worldwide researchers.
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