Molluscs

Jane E. Deisler

This document provides an overview of Florida's tree snails, focusing on species within the Bulimulidae family. It details their arboreal nature, identification features, and habitats, emphasizing their ecological importance and conservation status. The document highlights key species such as Orthalicus reses, a federally listed threatened species, and Liguus fasciatus, known for its vibrant shell colors. Management practices are discussed, stressing the need for preservation due to their beneficial role in feeding on epiphytic growths. The document is part of the Featured Creatures collection by UF/IFAS Extension. Published: August 2000.

Catherine Kaylor, Laura K. Reynolds, Shirley Baker, Angela B. Collins, Leslie Sturmer, andAshley Smyth

Hard clams provide many benefits to Florida’s coastal ecosystems beyond supporting the clam aquaculture industry. One of these benefits is improved water quality through filtration and nutrient cycling. However, both pollution and overharvesting have led to a decline in native clam populations for many areas, resulting in a growing interest among restoration practitioners to rebuild clam populations. There are two clam species native to Florida currently used in restoration: the northern hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, and the southern hard clam, Mercenaria campechiensis. This publication is intended for academics, restoration practitioners, and policy makers interested in shellfish restoration. The goal of this document is to describe the similarities and differences between these two species and to serve as a resource for selecting the best hard clam for a restoration project.

John L. Capinera and Jodi White

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.