UM Newsletter 30

ISSN 1011-2375

Dear members, have been audited and certified by an external appraisal. The General This issue of your newsletter Assembly meeting contained the contains the belated reports of the usual business but also some lively World Congress of Malacology held discussion, and much of this can in Phuket, Thailand, July 2010. The be gleaned from the official record congress was universally considered presented in the minutes published to be a great success despite the herein (p. 14). summer news of political turmoil in Thailand. Now those events are Now we all look ahead to the completely forgotten by most of us, next World Congress of Malacology, since we saw no signs of them in which will be held in the Azores, in beautiful Phuket. The congress local summer 2013. There was agreement organising team was impressive both at the General Assembly to abandon in their numbers and their unfailing the tradition of alternating WCM friendliness (see p. 19). locations between “Europe” and “elsewhere”, a rule that no one The Congress scientific claims to support but we have all presentations consisted of thirteen followed (e.g. Bouchet 1995; UMN focussed symposia and multiple Number 30 8, p. 5). The Azores is politically sessions of contributed general connected to an unambigously February 2011 papers. The fiindings from Several of European country. Our new president, the symposia are summarised herein Prof. António de Frias Martins What’s Inside by the organisers, on freshwater makes the case that the Azores bivalves (p. 6), landsnails (p. 7), islands themselves are not truly Message from the new President 3 the history of malacology (p. 8), within “Europe” and in moving the (New) Secretary’s column 4 opisthobranchs (p. 9), evolutionary Congress from Thailand to these Student research awards 2011 4 ecology (p. 9), freshwater mollusc islands we will finally abandon this WCM 2010 4 redlist (p. 10) and the hermaphrodites pattern (p. 3). WCM 2010 student prizes 6 (p. 11). WCM 2010 symposia reports 6 There is also much work to be The newsletter also includes the done by the new council, which I Treasurer’s report 12 proceedings of the UM General General assembly 2010 14 look forward to participating in, and Assembly held at the WCM 2010, reporting to you. Upcoming conferences 16 with details of the UM accounts (past New web publicaiton 17 and future) presented to the assembly Please do send me your items for Obituary 17 in absentia by the Treasurer, Jackie the next newsletter - August 2011. Van Goethem (p. 12). The accounts JDS

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Newsletter Editor: Dr. Julia Sigwart Queen’s University Belfast Marine Laboratory Portaferry, Northern Ireland BT22 1PF e.mail: [email protected]

Keeping the World of Malacology Informed Council of Unitas Malacologica

President Members of Council Prof. António de Frias Martins Prof. Mark Davies Departamento de Biologia Faculty of Applied Sciences Universidade dos Açores University of Sunderland 9501-801 Ponta Delgada Sunderland São Miguel – Açores SR1 3SD PORTUGAL UK t. +351 296 650 107 t. +44 191 515 2517 f. +351 296 650 100 f. +44 191 515 2603 e. [email protected] e. [email protected]

Secretary Dr. Mary Seddon National Museum Cardiff Prof. Jesús Souza Troncoso Cathays Park, Cardiff Department of Ecology and Animal Biology CF10 3NP Universidad de Vigo U.K. 36310 Vigo SPAIN t. +44 29 2057 3343 e. [email protected] t. +27 33 345 1404 f. +27 33 345 0561 e. [email protected] Dr. Julia Sigwart Queen’s University Belfast Marine Laboratory Treasurer Portaferry, Northern Ireland Dr. Jackie Van Goethem t. +44 28 4272 7804 Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences f. +44 28 4272 8902 Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels e. [email protected] BELGIUM t. +32 2 627 43 43 f. +32 2 627 41 41 Dr. Ellen Strong e. [email protected] Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History PO Box 37012 Past President MRC 163 Washington DC 20013-7012 Dr. Somsak Panha U.S.A. Department of Biology Faculty of Science t. +1 202 633 1742 Chulalongkorn University f. +1 202 357 2343 Phyathai Road, Patumwan e. [email protected] Bangkok 10330 THAILAND Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai t. +662 218 5273 School of Biological Sciences f. +662 218 5273 Universiti Sains Malaysia e. [email protected] 11800 Penang MALAYSIA t. +60 4 653 3508 f. +60 4 656 5125 e. [email protected]

2 February 2011 Newsletter No. 30 www.unitasmalacologica.org Towards a global Malacology micro-plate; really global, for they are at the centre of the In today’s world, even the smallest realities whirling winds: are appreciated in global terms, either due to their anti-cyclone the interactions that provide added meaning spreads its influence to them or to the circumstances that defy their throughout Europe; very existence. In their intersection with the truly cosmopolitan, global world, they are kept coherent by mainly for they are at the exogenous, globalizing forces, which dictate cross-roads of the laws of their survival. Science, however, marine currents: besides being global is also globalizing by there the temperate virtue of the endogenous power of its own and subtropical nature: the small scientific realities make sense realms meet; indeed only when integrated into the global framework special, for they of the processes originating them and of the sit at the top of the mechanisms that made those processes possible. longest mountain-chain of the world: the mid- They nest into coherent units, hierarchically Atlantic Ridge. integrated into wider sets, in a concentric Although deceivingly still a long way succession united by the force of the theory from 2013, we are already preparing to honour underlying them. Yet, it is in the apparent frailty this most welcome tradition: to make the congress and insignificance of small realities that resides a delightful, memorable event scientifically and the robustness of the scientific structure, for they otherwise. In the meantime – and here enter the are not product of any theory but instead they important “small realities” commented above are the very makers of the theory. –, we shall strive to strengthen the universality On the 23rd of July of last year, during of Unitas Malacologica. However, there is only the World Congress of Malacology in beautiful one way to achieve this goal: scientifically, Thailand, the General Assembly of Unitas together…, for it is each of us who makes Unitas Malacologica unanimously approved that it Malacologica. Count on us. should officially assume a worldwide statute, thus relinquishing the tradition of alternative meetings in European territory. Funded in 1962 as Unitas Malacologica Europaea, its António de Frias Martins main intent was to provide an opportunity to UM President reunite, every three years, the malacologists of the many research centres and scientific societies of Europe. However, since its 12th congress, in Vigo, the need was felt to widen its representativeness beyond European boundaries, and the following congress – the first World Congress of Malacology – was held in Washington, USA, in 1998. Yet, when first free to elect any place on the globe for its 2013 congress, Unitas apparently chose … Europe, the tiny Azores! Searching for meaning where there is only coincidence, we plead our case that such choice was not a “small reality”. In fact, the Azores, politically relegated to the ultra-periphery of Europe, are genuinely inter-continental for they are at the very hinge of the tectonic plates where Europe, Africa and the Americas rest: they even have their own Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 3 (New) Secretary’s Column UM Student Research Awards

Dear Members, CALL FOR APPLICATIONS Firstly I would like to say thanks to all Instructions for applying for awards members of UNITAS for trusting me to be the Deadline: 31 May 2011 new Secretary of UNITAS Malacologica. For me it is a pleasure and an honour begin this new Two awards, each of up to €1 000, are offered every year to students engaged in research projects assignment. It will be a difficult task due to the of a malacological nature. These will generally be excellent job realized by the former secretary projects undertaken in pursuit of higher academic Dai Herbert. Thank you very much Dai for your degrees (e.g. M.Sc. and Ph.D.). Normal budget disinterested work over the last six years. items include supplies, expendable equipment and research-related travel. The awards cannot An interesting point about the secretary is be used to cover salaries, institutional overheads, that the three former secretaries are members permanent equipment or conferences. Only of Museums: Natal Museum in South Africa, students who are members of UM in good The Natural History Museum in London and the standing are eligible to apply for these awards. Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum in Leiden. Now the Unitas secretary comes from South The next deadline for submissions is 31 May 2011. Applications must be completed Africa to Spain, and from a Museum to the Vigo on an application form which is available on University. the UM website http://tinyurl.com/2pl4fc At the WCM meeting celebrated in Phuket, and should be sent as an e-mail attachment Thailand (congratulations Somsak for your to the UM secretary, Prof. Jesús Troncoso ([email protected]). magnificent organization) new members of the council were elected, they are the new President Reminder: Antonio Frias Martins, the councillors Julia Students must be paid up members of UM in Sigwart and Mark Davies, myself as Secretary order to be eligible for these awards! and our Treasurer Jackie Van Goethem repeats his position once again, thank you Jackie for your necessary and distinguished work. Welcome everyone. WCM 2010 Also, on behalf of UNITAS, I would like to Concluding Summary thank the two outgoing members of the council Guido Pastorino and Thierry Backeljau for all their effort and support. Malacologists from all over the world dedicated My first task as secretary is to prepare the next to improving the high quality of the World UM Student Research Awards for 2011. Please Congress of Malacology, the principal academic read the Student Awards section on this page, conference of UNITAS MALACOLOGICA that and get your application form on the UNITAS is held every three years, congregated at Phuket, website. And from this column I encourage all Thailand, for the 2010 conference. Thai and Asian student members of UNITAS to participate. people were honored to be the host for the first time for this conference, allowing researchers and students to come to Phuket and learn from each other, including experts and newcomers, on how to understand and answer the challenges of the Jesús Troncoso current and likely near future research questions. UM Secretary The internal political situation in Thailand before the congress was perceived as a threat by some people who had registered or expected to do so at the time, and some people even asked me to cancel the congress. However, with a lot of support from

4 February 2011 Newsletter No. 30 www.unitasmalacologica.org oversea friends and our Thai team, the conference went ahead avoiding making this a dark image in malacological history. So our team and the UNITAS council members made the great effort, aided by the true ‘land of smiles’ Thai bonhomie of the locals regardless of political “color” to welcome guests, so that a successful congress was achieved. Here, in Thailand, we are really proud of this conference, the first UNITAS MALACOLOGICA conference in Asia, and the past UNITAS presidents, which may be a first this history will be always a golden moment of record for a UNITAS conference. In terms of the discovery and memory forever. expected improvement in academic quality as a The number of participants that attended the result of this congress, it is of course too soon and congress was comprised of 372 people from difficult to judge and comment, but observing 5 continents and 46 nations, with just under the development of ideas and new approaches 90% (334) being delegates from the following discussed and presented, and the many diverse continents, Europe (40%), Asia (28%), North student papers, was certainly both very and South America (20%), Australia (8%) interesting and encouraging for the near future. and Africa (4%). In terms of categories 70% There are also some definite collaborations that of participants were researchers with 30% were developed during the congress, although of as students, a healthy mix of newcomers to course the potential for others either unknown experienced to keep the research fresh and alive. to use or yet to be formulated, exists. Although In addition, although only 45% of participants we feel all benefited, it is likely that especially were UNITAS members, highlighting the clear Asian malacologists potentially got the most potential for increased membership of UNITAS, benefit from this congress with more than 30 the congress was far from an “in house” UNITAS new UNITAS members gained from Asia. club but rather clearly very healthily reached out It seems that people were happy with the further into other fields of interest and research congress and with the venue, Phuket city. A methods. large part of this is due to the support of all the In total, 356 papers were presented as 236 oral participants who firstly decided to join and not and 120 poster presentations. In terms of the cancel their participation, and then once arrived field of study, the oral presentations were mainly actively participated to make the congress derived from ecology (59 papers; 24.6%) and successful. As the chair of the organizing systematics (54 papers; 22.9%), with the other committee, I would like to express my sincere fields being evolution (30; 12.7%), general gratitude to all of you and to the UNITAS biology (28; 11.9%), applied biology (27; 11.4%), council members, especially the magnificent molecular genetics (24; 10.1%) and morphology support from Dai Herbert, Thierry Backeljau, (15; 6.4%). In terms of the organisms, gastropods Jackie Van Goethem and Aileen Tan, that made were still the most popular, as represented by 142 the congress the great success that it was. And oral papers (60.2%) comprised of 67, 53 and 22 thanks to Marry Seddon, Ellen Strong, Guido (47%, 37% and 15%) presentations of terrestrial, Pastorino and Julia Sigwart, and also to Chairs marine and freshwater gastropods, respectively. and teams of each academic session for all their The second most popular group was bivalves, kind effort and help in organizing so many things with 53 oral presentations, split as 40 and 13 until the congress were completely done. By no presentations (75% and 25%) on marine and means least, thanks also to the sponsorships freshwater bivalves, respectively. The remaining from the Hitachi Scholarship Foundation, The 41 oral presentations were split amongst other BRT Program, the PTTEP Company Limited, diverse taxa. Chula Global Network, and The Commission on Higher Education (CHE), Thailand. The poster presentations show broadly the same trend as the oral presentations. Interestingly, Many of you may still remember our ‘pink amongst the many experts attending were most of army’, as nominated by Paula Mikkelsen, who

Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 5 worked everyday to ensure the smooth operation 3rd – Ana Glavinic, Flinders University, of each symposium, trips and the conference in Adelaide, Australia. general. Most of them faced this first experience Doubly uniparental inheritance of mitochondrial only by their will power to help and succeed. DNA in Neotrigonia margaritacea (Bivalvia: So we will meet again in 2013 at Azores, Palaeoheterodonta). which Frias Martins has already announced as the attractive venue for the next UNITAS And The Malacological Society of London MALACOLOGICA World Congress of awarded two prizes to student presentations at Malacology. the WCM: Torsten Hauffe won the best poster and Nicole Webster the best oral presentation. Somsak Panha UM Past President (2007-2010) Reports from the WCM 2010 Scientific Symposia Congratulations to the UM student prize winners! ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND BIOLOGY Best oral presentations: OF FRESHWATER BIVALVES 1st – Katharina Jörger, Bavarian State Organisers - Arthur E. Bogan, Walter R. Collection of Zoology, Germany. Hoeh The end of the guessing game? Origin and evolution of Acochlidia (Gastropoda: Arthur E. Bogan and Walter R. Hoeh Heterobranchia) organized a symposium for the 17th World Congress of Malacology, 18-24 July 2010 held joint 2nd – Roland Schultheiß. Justus Liebig in Phuket, Thailand, entitled “Ecology, evolution University, Giessen, Germany. and biology of freshwater bivalves.” The intent of this session was to bring together people Gastropod evolution in Lake Malawi (Africa): lessons from endemic Bellamya and Lanistes working on various aspects of the ecology, species. biology, phylogeny and evolution in freshwater bivalves in the same room, to facilitate and joint 2nd – Chiew Peng Teh, University Sains, foster discussion, interaction and cooperation. Malaysia. The presentation section of the symposium was composed of 13 papers delivered by 29 authors Effects of L-DOPA and epinephrine on larvae settlement off the tropical oyster, Crassostrea from 10 countries. The complementary section iredalei (Faustino, 1932). of posters for this symposium included 10 posters with 27 authors from nine countries. Presentations included a variety of topics: Best poster presentations: fossil freshwater mollusks in Thailand; phylogeny and evolution of the Unionoida; 1st – Takuma Haga, University of Tokyo, community structure and environmental Japan. gradients determine ecosystem services of Progenetic dwarf males of deep-sea wood- unionid communities; salinity tolerances in boring bivalve Xylophaga (Myoida: western Australian Hyriidae; female-dependent Xylophagiidae). sex determination with doubly uniparental inheritance of mitochondrial DNA; the 2nd – Hiroaki Fukumori, University of freshwater bivalve fauna of the Amur River Miyazaki, Japan. basin; population genetics of Margaritifera Predation on hardest molluscan eggs by hembeli; problems of competition between confamilial snails (Neritidae) and its potential two non-native dreissenid bivalve species; significance in egg-laying site selection. the genetics of sex determination in Mytilus; variation, function and phylogeny of unionid 6 February 2011 Newsletter No. 30 www.unitasmalacologica.org shell characters; the evolutionary history of COMMUNITY ECOLOGY OF TROPICAL Potomida littoralis. Also, a student paper was FOREST LANDSNAILS inserted in the session addressing behavior Organisers - Dinarzarde Raheem and Peter and evolution of R-Opsin in scallop eyes. The Tattersfield originally scheduled paper on Mytilopsis, by six Chinese colleagues, was not presented. The symposium on the community ecology of tropical forest land snails (organized by Topics of the posters were as diverse as Dinarzarde Raheem and Peter Tattersfield) those of the oral presentations. The third best sought to bring together, for the first term, student poster for the Congress, presented by researchers from across the tropics. The Ana Glavinic, was included in this section and symposium was very successful in achieving was entitled “Doubly uniparental inheritance this goal, including as it did researchers from of mitochondrial DNA in Neotrigonia the forested tropics in Africa, South America margaritacea (Bivalvia: Palaeoheterodonta).” and from several parts of Asia. The various authors will be publishing their work independently and no symposium volume Gleisse Kelly Meneses Nunes spoke on her was scheduled. research on the land-snail diversity along an altitudinal gradient on Ilha Grande, an area of Atlantic forest in the state of Rio de Janeiro, THE BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION OF Southeastern Brazil. Charles Lange presented LIMPETS his findings on the conservation of land snails in the fragmented forests of the endemic-rich Organiser - Alan Hodgson Eastern Arc Taita Hills range in Kenya, and This symposium was organised by Alan Chris Oke described his work on rainforest Hodgson (Rhodes University, South Africa). It snail communities from Southern Nigeria. N.A. was a worthy successor to previous UK-based Aravind’s talk reviewed ecological research on limpet symposia in London and in Millport. the land snails of the Western Ghats of India, and S.R. Magare, also from India, gave an In Phuket the limpet symposium presented account of his preliminary surveys of the land- 18 talks from authors representing 14 snail fauna of Northern Maharashtra; these talks countries. David Lindberg presented work with were complemented by Dinarzarde Raheem’s colleagues on the complete Lottia gigantea overview on community ecological research genome which has recently become the first in South Asia. Liew Thor Seng’s presentation completely sequences molluscan genome. (given on his behalf by Menno Schilthuizen) Other talks covered limpet behaviour, including focussed on the elevational variation in the classical questions such as aggregation, and diversity and structure of land-snail assemblages the impacts of a changing world on limpet on Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, and life, behaviour, and physiology. New findings Emmanuel Ryan C. de Chavez outlined the on the phylogeography and phylogenetics initial results of a study on the land-snail fauna of various complexes of worldwide limpets along a habitat-degradation gradient on Mount focussed primarily on Pacific species. There Makiling in the Philippines. were also a smattering of freshwater limpet- like snails, and marine pulmonate limpets. The Perhaps the highlights of the symposium day-long symposium and associated posters were the keynote talks by Menno Schilthuizen managed admirably to cover the breadth of this and Robert Cameron. Menno gave a fascinating persistently fascinating group of gastropods. and insightful overview of the field to date, highlighting outstanding methodological and conceptual problems, and outlining some of the EVOLUTION OF THE BIVALVIA exciting directions that future work could take; this overview has recently been published in Organisers - Rüdiger Bieler, Gonzalo Giribet Contributions to Zoology (2011). Robert’s talk and Paula Mikkelsen on the problems and pitfalls associated with the This symposium included 21 talks from sampling of tropical forest snail faunas was also authors representing 8 countries. extremely stimulating: his broad conclusion was Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 7 that despite the problems posed by inadequate insight into molluscan evolution, while Julia sampling in many tropical forests, robust Sigwart examined the growing use of metadata patterns could, nevertheless, be detected. sources in molluscan research. As was clear from many of the talks, this Robert Hershler provided the transition field of molluscan research is at a very early to the second section by reviewing the rise of stage of development, with much of the focus molluscan conservation biology during the last being on the survey and description of species- 50 years. Paul Valentich-Scott presented a brief rich faunas and on an understanding of basic history of our organizations and their meetings, diversity patterns across various geographical workshops, and symposia, while Edmund scales. These tasks are often enormously difficult Gittenberger discussed Unitas Malacologica and because of the lack of taxonomic knowledge its singular role in advancing global malacology. about most tropical faunas, and the sampling Paula Mikkelsen reviewed the changes and problems encountered in low abundance growth of our journals and other publications, communities. However, as illustrated by the and offered a glimpse into the future of this broad geographical spread of participants, there rapidly changing medium, and Philippe Bouchet is now a wide and growing interest in these evaluated the notorious “taxonomic impediment” relatively unexplored land snail faunas. The of molluscan systematics – a common lament of symposium provided a valuable opportunity for the last 50 years. tropical forest malacologists and ecologists to The last section examined malacology discuss their experience and research findings. along political and geographical boundaries. Gerhard Haszprunar closed out the day with an overview of his personal journey through THE LAST 50 YEARS OF MALACOLOGY: European malacology. On the following day, SPECIALIZATION, METHODOLOGICAL the symposium resumed with Guido Pastorino TRANSFORMATION, AND recounting people, events, and changes in South GLOBALIZATION American malacology. Dai Herbert provided Organisers - Robert Hershler and David an overview of African malacology, and Lindberg Takenori Sasaki took on the formidable task of synthesizing the last 50 years of Japanese and Thirty-eight speakers and co-authors Asian malacology. Winston Ponder provided from more than 13 countries reviewed the a comprehensive overview of Australasian advances and discoveries of the last 50 years malacology, and George Davis completed the in malacology during this one and half day formal program with an in depth analysis of symposium. The purpose of the symposium was changes in North American malacology. to highlight methodological innovations and celebrate our colleagues who advanced our field The excellence and diversity of malacological during this incredible period of change. Toward science highlighted in the symposium was this end the symposium was divided into three impressive, but sadly, many of our colleagues complementary components. In the first section, who built these early foundations have since speakers highlighted methods, techniques, passed away. This observation lead to hallway and data sources. Carole Hickman examined discussions fermenting the idea that malacology advances in visualizing molluscan structure, is one of the very few scientific enterprises while Jerry Harasewych covered the advent that does not recognize its most outstanding and rapid growth of molecular malacology; two practitioners. Consequently the symposium areas that have forever changed malacology. organizers proposed to the Unitas Council Rüdiger Bieler reviewed the impact of cladistics and membership that the society consider methodology on molluscan phylogenetic establishing an award to honor an outstanding research while Jonathon Stone discussed the colleague of international stature every three changing role of morphometric studies in years at the World Congress. Such recognition molluscan research. Matthias Glaubrecht is important in furthering and sharing the field of provided a review of recently discovered malacology beyond its traditional constituents. habitats and faunas which provided additional Moreover, if we as a community do not

8 February 2011 Newsletter No. 30 www.unitasmalacologica.org recognize extraordinary service to science by Interestingly the same pattern is found on our own, who will? dedicated meetings. Three meetings (including the Phuket’ symposium) were organised during The proceedings of the symposium are being the last ten years; exactly the same number that prepared for publication in Malacologica. were organised ever before. Opisthobranch research is going through a healthy period with a growing productive and collaborative STUDIES ON OPISTHOBRANCH community spread all over the world that MOLLUSCS certainly will continue delivering! A collection Organisers - Manuel Malaquias, Juan Lucas of contribution to the Phuket Symposium and Terrence Gosliner on Opisthobranchs will be published during 2011/12 in the Journal of Molluscan Studies. The opisthobranch symposium aimed primarily to (1) bring together all those interested in the various aspects of opisthobranch biology EMERGING MOLLUSCAN MODELS: and evolution, from development to behaviour, BIOLOGICAL QUESTIONS IN THE 21st systematics, phylogenetics, and biogeography, CENTURY genomics and ecology, and (2) to be a forum to establish strategies and collaborations that Organisers - Mónica Medina, Sam Loker could lead to the resolution of old questions and and Sandie Degnan trigger new ones. This symposium consisted of 16 talks from Twenty oral communications and 17 posters authors representing eight countries. were presented. Works were of very high standard and because of their novelty some contributions have certainly left a mark on the EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY community. Monica Medina and co-workers AND GENETICS OF MOLLUSCAN presented the first thoroughly phylogenomic POPULATIONS approach of opisthobranchs. The results or ‘Gold mining with molluscs’ supported for the monophyly of Opisthobranchia including the genus Siphonaria (traditionally in Organiser - Takahiro Asami the Pulmonata). This was very welcome among a community that have been recently struggling This symposium aimed to examine the with the use of the name “Opisthobranchia”; evolutionary processes and mechanisms Michael Schrödl and co-workers presented that generate diversity within and between several works with fine data on the microanatomy molluscan populations. It is my great honour of various opisthobranchs bringing anatomical to report how successful this symposium has research standards a step further; Rei Nakano been. It is beyond my ability to summarize and co-workers showed that nudibranchs can bountiful harvests of academy we made through also feed upon echinoderms (ophiuroids), an this multidisciplinary symposium. No matter extraordinary finding; Vishal Bhave and Deepak how conservatively we view, it is fair to state Apte overwhelmed the audience with a terrific that the ultimate goal of this symposium has talk on the diversity and outstanding beauty of been currently being achieved, because several the opisthobranch fauna of India, a region where international collaborations have newly emerged the group is largely understudied. Last but not in practice and been in progress afterwards, least, we were all very proud to witness the not only in research but also in education for prize for the best student talk being offered to young malacologists. There is no doubt that Katharina Jörger for her exceptional talk on the our thrilling discussion and friendly open origin and evolution of acochlidian snails. interactions following presentations in the last two consecutive days of the congress triggered The last decade have witnessed a remarkable these ongoing global activities. In total, 91 flourishing on opisthobranch research. The authors from 19 countries contributed through amount of scientific literature produced, nearly a total of 36 studies (25 orals and 11 posters) to equalled that of the previous ninety years. this symposium.

Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 9 Taxonomically, we covered the science COUNTDOWN 2010: TOWARDS A and nature of cephalopods, bivalves, GLOBAL FRESHWATER ASSESSMENT OF caenogastropods, vetigastropods, heterobranchia THREATENED SPECIES and even symbiont bacteria, which live in Organisers - Mary Seddon and Will Darwall marine, brackish, freshwater and/or terrestrial habitats. The most remarkable feature was The symposium was held on the final doubtlessly the magnitude of interdisciplinary afternoon of the conference with speakers from “in situ” networking in the symposium, as South America, Russia and Europe. General we necessarily desired and aimed. Knowing discussions on the issues relating to taxonomic this, it might be unnecessary to attempt to list changes and impact on the threatened species diverse disciplines involved in the studies assessments, problems of data deficiency for presented. We were privileged to network for less studied areas and communication between truly both empirical and theoretical approaches scientists working on conservation were to classical and currently controversial issues discussed. A e-mail discussion group is being of morphology, systematics, phylogeography, set-up to disseminate information and link biochemistry, genetics, ecology, physiology, scientists working on Mollusc Conservation. behaviour, developmental biology and evolution, In addition we discussed the level of error at the molecule, cell, individual, population, that assessments should be content with in community to ecosystem levels. the conservation assessment phase, and it was considered that an error threshold of less than I wish to point a take- home message from 10% would be reasonable given the number the symposium: we learned the power of of species and the percentage of species where molluscs and malacologists with gold mines. there was little, if any, data. For these reasons, I am honoured to thank all the participants and, especially the President, The IUCN mollusc specialist group are now Somsak Panha and his young colleagues, over 40% towards our goal of assessing the perhaps the largest group of malacology in the threatened status of all Freshwater Molluscs. world, for having made it possible for us to We are already seeing different trends in generate the most gorgeous symposium ever. different parts of the world. The final report for the Pan-Africa project is due out in the next month (March 2011) and shows that 28% of all THE SYSTEMATICS OF ASIAN freshwater molluscs in Africa are threatened, LANDSNAILS with the major threatening factors coming from increased sedimentation (agricultural Organisers - Fred Naggs, Min Wu and sources and mining), pollution ( domestic and Somsak Panha agricultural sources) and introduced species of This short symposium consisted of seven fish and mollusc. This project ran for 5 years, talks from authors representing eight countries. and mapped the distribution and documented the status of all the African species, as well as contributing to more practical projects on MOLLUSC AQUACULTURE catchment management and resource utilistation. Organisers - Zulfigar Yasin, Aileen Tan Shau- By contrast the European project which Hwai and Somchai Bussarawit is close to completion is showing higher rates of threatened species reflecting the fact that This symposium consisted of 13 talks from there are proportionately more range-restricted authors representing nine countries. species in this region. Here the principal threats are over abstraction of water resources, changing the character of the water bodies with construction of water tanks, tapping the springs and canalisation and water pollution, due to high levels of sewage and nitrates in the water. A third more distant threat lies in the increase of frequency of drought events in Europe.

10 February 2011 Newsletter No. 30 www.unitasmalacologica.org

The IUCN Freshwater Mollusc workshop in history strategies of a diversity of species. Laos, was originally intended to be held after the The invited lecture by Dr. Takahiro Asami Phuket meeting, but due to operational issues (Matsumoto, Japan) presented an interesting was postponed until January 2011. It was the study looking at mating success of hybrid third of 5 projects running in the Asia region snails and their attraction to sex pheromones assessing the conservation status of freshwater of both parental species. This was followed molluscs. This project, funded by the Critical by four presentations that also focussed on Ecosystem Partnership was focussed in the Indo- the interactions between mating partners. Burma region. The project brought together 8 These focussed on penial glands in Deroceras scientists, who reviewed the conservation status (Reise from Görlitz, Germany), seminal fluids of over 300 species of freshwater mollusc. In this in Lymnaea (Koene from Amsterdam, The region the major threats lie in the level of river Netherlands), light and chemical pollution in two flow management as a result of hydroelectric freshwater snails (McCarthy from Utica, USA) power generation. Frank Kohler will be leading and penis replacement in a sea slug (Sekizawa the efforts to finalise the report of the region. from Osaka, Japan). The latter study illustrated The Eastern Himalayas report is due out soon, nicely how Chromodoris tinctoria disposes of its followed by the Western Ghats. The next part of penis at the end of copulation and manages to Asia to be covered will be China with a project have a new one ready within 24 hours. starting in 2012. The second set of talks focused more Speakers from the South American region on mating strategies. These illustrated that focussed on the need for both taxonomic studies Haldane’s rule may also apply to hermaphrodites and conservation assessments in the region. (Schilthuizen from Leiden, The Netherlands) IUCN are currently undertaking a fund-raising and how mating systems, inbreeding depression, campaign raising funds for work on freshwater and the timing of reproduction are interlinked molluscs in Brazil. Further efforts will be (David from Montpellier, France). In addition ongoing over the next year. they showed how different factors influence male and female investment in Succinea (Dillen from Antwerp, Belgium) and sex change in a REPRODUCTION AND MATING SYSTEMS scallop (Silina from Vladivostok, Russia). The IN HERMAPHRODITIC MOLLUSCS symposium was closed by Dr. Kurt Jordaens (Antwerp, Belgium) with a summary that Organisers - Kurt Jordaens and Joris Koene integrated all the different effects that mating Hermaphroditic molluscs show a remarkable systems can have on life history traits and variation in fitness-related life history clearly encouraged, and provided guidance for, characteristics. Yet, pinpointing the factors that future research in this area. explain this variation proves very difficult. For example, variation in mating systems range from obligate outcrossing to predominant selfing, SPECIATION: INSIGHTS FROM INSULAR with various levels of in- and outbreeding ISOLATION TO GLOBAL PATTERNS depression. Moreover, hermaphroditic molluscs Organisers - Matthias Glaubrecht and are notorious for their promiscuous sexual Thomas von Rintelen behaviours, which often include the use of bewildering and enigmatic reproductive organs This symposium consisted of 19 talks from that appear to be under strong sexual selection. authors representing nine countries. Our symposium ‘Reproduction and mating systems in hermaphroditic molluscs’ clearly highlighted the complicated and sometimes flabbergasting nature of hermaphroditic reproduction. The total of 10 oral and 5 poster presentations ranged in topic from sexual behaviours, sexual selection, mating system evolution and life

Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 11 Treasurer’s Report to the General The interest rates offered by all Belgian banks are historically low. Very frustrating!!! Assembly Therefore I have opened a new saving account by Record Bank with nearly all our Trust Fund capital money. This relatively small bank Period : 1 January 2007 - 31 December 2009 still offers a better interest rate than the vast majority of Belgian banks. Small donations for the Trust Fund were Dear Mr President, dear Colleagues, received from many members. Some members I feel very sorry not to be present in Phuket. pay regularly 50, sometimes 100 euros, in Please accept my apologies. addition to their membership fees. I love that. Thierry has accepted to present you my The benefit from the Antwerp Congress was detailed report on the financial situation of the received in two steps totalling 15,838 euros, UNITAS MALACOLOGICA and its TRUST which is an absolute record. FUND.

Once again, our financial situation evolved EXPENDITURES positively, mainly thanks to an important profit received from Thierry BACKELJAU, our Five Newsletters were issued by our former President and organiser of the World indefatigable editor: Julia SIGWART. Julia Malacological Congress in Antwerp. I’ll come started to distribute the e-mail versions of our back to this when presenting the accounts in Newsletter as off number 26 (March 2008) detail. limiting the costs of printing and shipping to around 12-15 paper versions (a small task Before I do so I would like to present you an which is handled by the Malacology Section of overview of our membership. the RBINS). Membership has recently evolved in a quite Julia also moved from the ‘National spectacular way. In particular during the last Museum of Ireland & the University College two congress years there was a significant Dublin’ to ‘Queen’s University at Belfast’. raise of members to over 400. Among them are Therefore we had to look for a new server many PhD students. On the other hand many hosting our website. Julia arranged for all members, after three or six years, refrain to necessary changes with no interruption in the renew their membership. I should feel very access to the UM website. The yearly cost for sorry for them if this is due to the difficulty of hosting is moderate. developing a career in malacology… Council meetings are not at all expensive. In fact over the last three years only one Council UNITAS MALACOLOGICA CURRENT member received financial support to cover ACCOUNTS travel or accommodation to attend a meeting in Phuket in 2008. Other Council meetings Income from membership dues was much were held in Antwerp and Brussels, the costs of lower than expected from a 400 members total. which were covered by Thierry BACKELJAU. In fact the amount represents only 320 of our members having paid for a three years period. The partly benefit received from Antwerp, Almost 25 % of our members not reacting together with important savings over the past on one, two and even three reminders for three years (23,000 euros), were transferred to membership payment is really a problem. the Trust Fund. Is the membership fee perhaps to high? At Regarding credit card payments, costs the start of Unitas in 1962 the yearly fee was were raising in the past. At present the system 10 CHF = 6.25 euros. In 1974 it doubled to involves a minimum monthly cost of 11 euros, 20 CHF = 12.50 euros while in 1990 the UM on top of a 2.25 % charge on every amount. Council endorsed my proposal to raise the fee Since many members prefer to pay through up to 25 CHF = 16 euros which, twenty years their credit card, the total cost for Unitas for later, is still the case !! I’ll come back to this this way of payment is estimated at 700.00 topic. euros over a three years period.

12 February 2011 Newsletter No. 30 www.unitasmalacologica.org

I thus strongly suggest European members finances is due to a number of UM Presidents to use for their payments the international who managed to save considerable amounts giro system with IBAN account numbers and from their congress and generously donated BIC or SWIFT bank codes and all those who this to the UM Trust Fund. The objectives of pay with credit card to add the 3.00 euros the UM Council are to spend the available extra mentioned on the form (it is sometimes money in a sustainable and strategic way to ‘forgotten’). further malacology. The available assets of Unitas Malacologica as at 31 december 2009 are + 1,258.44 EUR. Council decided: - to give priority to travel grants to enable UM THE TRUST FUND members and members of affiliated societies to join the World Malacological Congresses, Over the period 2007-2009, income came from interests, from transfer from the Unitas - to offer prizes for students best oral and poster current accounts and from donations. In communications at these congresses particular I like to mention the net benefit from the Antwerp Congress that is no less than - and to regularly offer 1,000 EUR research 15,838.13 EUR. awards. So far a total of 19 awards! Expenditure over that same period: These goals can only be achieved if the yearly income of Unitas is sustainable. The - travel grants for 31 participants to the UM membership fee remained unchanged at Antwerp Congress in 2007 (most received a 16 euros/year for as many as 20 years. This grant of 800 euros, for Europeans the grant was amount is probably affordable for most of us, limited to max. 400 euros), but certainly not for all. - student prizes for best oral and poster Since membership fees are the most communication (2 x 300 and 2 x 200 euros), significant income for our Society, I again take this opportunity to ask those of you from - six research awards of 1,000 euros, OECD countries to pay an extra. A yearly fee of - taxes due to a governmental law installing 16 euros is really not much for membership of a 15 % tax on the interests gained on the saving a scientific society in comparison with the fee accounts from non profit organisations, a asked by national malacological and zoological bright innovative decision (!) by the Belgian associations. government that at its start solemn promised The capital build up every three years in not to raise taxes. our Trust Fund allows increasing expenditures The excess of income is + 16,237.24 EUR and for congress travel grants and research awards. the balance gives a total of 62,216.22 EUR. This is crucial for the Unitas Malacologica strategy to promote and advance malacology Over the past 21 years the total assets of Unitas worldwide. Malacologica were in the order of: - the pre Trust Fund period (< 1989) → max. 10,300 EUR PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE PERIOD 2010-2012 - 31.12.1994 → 29,000 EUR My final point is the proposed use of the - 31.12.1997 → 35,500 EUR UNITAS money for the period 2010-2012. - 31.12.2000 → 42,000 EUR Membership: I am in your hands! - 31.12.2003 → 55,800 EUR And I do hope that some 50 members having - 31.12.2006 → 56,500 EUR not paid membership since 2006 and before will react positively on a last reminder that I - 31.12.2009 → 63,400 EUR am planning to send after the congress. Expenditures are budgetised based on previous experiences. But they are to be cut if the income is not guaranteed. This quite healthy situation of the Unitas

Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 13 UM General Assembly ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I most sincerely thank all these who have DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GENERAL been so helpful in influencing our present ASSEMBLY financial situation so favourably: members paying always spontaneously and of course Royal Phuket City Hotel, Phuket, Thailand members paying a lot in advance. 15.00–16.30, Friday, 23rd July, 2010. My favourite in this is the one who paid last year for 20 years of membership which is the longest period ever for advance payment, i.e. 1. The President opened the meeting and up to 2028 !!!. welcomed members. He then handed over the running of the meeting to the Secretary. I do hope he will continue for a long time to do so and why not celebrate his centenary in 2. Minutes of previous General Assembly. paying UM membership for another 20 years. The Secretary asked the meeting if any members wished to comment on the draft minutes which I thank many members who paid over the had been posted on the congress notice board last three years an additional amount for the for the duration of the congress. No comments Trust Fund in particular those who paid 50 or were forthcoming. Gerhard Haszprunar even 100 euros (“off the record”, I am now proposed that the minutes be accepted as thinking at David LINDBERG, Ruud BANK, an accurate record of the meeting, a motion Henk DIJKSTRA, Georges CRAWFORD and seconded by Kurt Jordaens. The meeting voted Günter SCHMID). unanimously in favour of the motion. A very special thank to Thierry 3. President’s report BACKELJAU for the exceptional high benefit resulting from the Antwerp Congress delivered The President, Somsak Panha, summarised to the Unitas Malacologica Trust Fund. the attendance statistics for the WCM and expressed his thanks to the malacological Your dedication and generosity dear community for supporting the congress, colleagues are very much appreciated. particularly in the light of the earlier political Many thanks also to Julia SIGWART for her unrest in Bangkok. He also thanked his careful planning of five Newsletters. organising team for their support in making the congress a success. I thank all Council members for constructive discussions on financial matters, and in 4. Treasurer’s report particular Dai HERBERT, our Secretary, with The Treasurer, Jackie Van Goethem, whom it was a real pleasure to work. apologised for his absence, but had prepared a And finally, for the first time since I joined report on UM finances which was delivered on Unitas in 1974, I am missing the Congress. his behalf by Thierry Backeljau. A full financial Therefore allow me from a distance to address reconciliation for both the UM current account my most sincere appreciation to Somsak and for the UM Trust Fund was given and PANHA for the excellent preparation and will be published in the UM Newsletter. The careful consideration of financial issues for this society’s financial position remains healthy magnificent World Congress of Malacology and particular note was made of the increase in in Phuket. It was a real pleasure dear Somsak membership. working with you and with your invaluable 5. Auditors’ report assistant Piyoros TONGKERD. The society’s accounts were audited by I thank all of you for your confidence and Vincent Pinton, accountant at RBINS, who your attention. provided a letter certifying that accounts were Drafted in Brussels, 16 July 2010 in order and that the financial statement was Read at the UM Assembly 23 July 2010 an accurate record of the society’s financial position. 6. Secretary’s report Jackie VAN GOETHEM Treasurer Dai Herbert reported on Council meetings

14 February 2011 Newsletter No. 30 www.unitasmalacologica.org held since 2007 as well as on the society’s grants. therefore do not need to be amended. However, He recapped the winners of the UM Student the clause stating ‘No two consecutive UM Research Awards for 2008 and 2009 and noted International Congresses shall take place in a drop in the number of applications in both the same country’ remains stipulated in the years relative to 2006. This he suggested might constitution.] be attributed to the newsletter and website not being effective channels for advertising the 8. Election of new council members awards, or perhaps more likely, to the fact that Seventy-nine voting slips were returned; the size of the awards (€1000) was no longer votes cast for the new Council members were sufficient to attract many applicants. He asked as follows: the meeting to task the incoming council with investigating an increase in the value of the António de Frias Martins (President) award to €1500 or even €2000, in order to make 78 yes,0 no, 1 abstain them more attractive. The meeting supported Jesús Troncoso (Secretary) this suggestion. 77 yes, 0 no, 2 abstain The Secretary also reported on the UM Jackie Van Goethem (Treasurer) Travel Awards for WCM 2010, for which 44 79 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain applications were received. He presented and analysis of the applications and the awards Mark Davies (Councilor) made. In total 34 awards were made, with a 78 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain combined value of €25,305 (compared to 31 awards with a combined value of €20,550 in Julia Sigwart (Councilor) 2007). 78 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain 7. Any other business All nominees were thus duly elected. The Secretary welcomed the new Council members 7.1. David Lindberg observed that three and thanked retiring members, Thierry malacologists had been awarded MacArthur Backeljau (Past President) and Guido Pastorino Fellowships (genius awards), and yet the (Council member) for their contribution to UM malacological community itself had no over the last six years, and himself also bade mechanism by which to recognise malacologists farewell to Council. David Lindberg interjected who had made exceptional contributions to to thank the Secretary also for his contribution. our discipline. He proposed that UM was the most appropriate organisation to confer such 9. Presidential handover an award, and suggested that the incoming The Secretary invited Somsak Panha to Council be tasked with investigating the matter hand over the reins of UM to the incoming further. The meeting supported this proposal. President, António de Frias Martins, who then 7.2. Gerhard Haszprunar raised the issue of gave a short presentation about the Açores and alternating European vs. non-European venues what delegates can expect when they visit the for UM/WCM meetings. He indicated that islands for WCM 2013. given the global role that UM now endeavours The meeting closed at circa 16:35. to play, this was an unnecessary limitation. He proposed that the restriction be removed and that congresses be held wherever suitable hosts Prepared by Dai Herbert 3 July 2010 and venues could be identified. The motion was seconded by Philippe Bouchet and put to the vote. The meeting voted unanimously in favour Dai Herbert of the motion. UM Secretary (2004-2010) [Note – this ‘rule’ appears to have been an unwritten convention dating presumably from around the time of the Vigo congress (1995) and the decision to hold the subsequent congress outside Europe for the first time (the first WCM, in Washington 1998). It is not in fact specified in the latest UM constitution and bylaws as adopted at the General Assembly in Vienna 2001. The constitution and bylaws

Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 15 Upcoming Conferences Congress registration fees in € (before / after 30 April 2011): - Full registration: € 160 / 190 6TH CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN - Student: € 110 / 140 MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETIES (CEMS) - Accompanying person: € 90 / 120 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain Congress dinner is not included. 18-22 July 2011 The Congress will be held on the Campus Travel grant applications (students): 31 March of Álava of the University of the Basque Country. End reduced registration fees: 30 April Updated information is available at the End of abstract submission: 31 May Congress website www.euromalacol2011.eu

CLAMA VIII - LATIN AMERICAN Institutional Organizers: CONGRESS OF MALACOLOGY - Sociedad Española de Malacología Puerto Madryn, Argentina - Systematics, Biogeography and Population 12-16 June 2011 Dynamics working group of the University of the Basque Country - Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales This is the 8th edition of the meeting - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones and the 20th anniversary of the Asociación Científicas Latinoamericana de Malacología (ALM). For more information: Supporting European Malacological Societies [email protected] - Société Française de Malacologie www.clama2011.com.ar - Società Italiana di Malacologia - Instituto Português de Malacologia - Nederlandse Malacologische Vereniging - Malacological Society of London Registration fees: (before/ after 15 March) - Conchological Society of Great Britain and - Full registration: US$ 90 / 130 Ireland - Student: US$ 70 / 90

The Congress will be opened for all contributions in the field of Malacology. There will be several symposia, including: • Endangered species and hot-spots of Biodiversity • Biogeography and Phylogeography of the Mediterranean region and Macaronesia • Systematics and Taxonomy of Western- Palaearctic Mollusca • Biology, Reproduction and culture of Molluscs • Ecology • Invasive Alien Species • Miscellaneous

16 February 2011 Newsletter No. 30 www.unitasmalacologica.org Marine Bivalve Shells of the Obituary British Isles JØRGEN KNUDSEN (6 March 1918 – 7 October 2009) The National Museum of Wales has When Jørgen Knudsen quietly passed recently released a new open access, web- away on October 7, 2009, the international based identification guide to all species of malacological community lost one of its “grand marine bivalves recorded from waters around old men”. Jørgen’s career in malacology the British Isles from the intertidal to abyssal spanned almost 70 years, and for most of this depths. With financial support from the time he was associated with the Zoological Department of Energy and Climate Change Museum in Copenhagen. From 1941 when he it is the first comprehensive identification aid was first employed as a student assistant till to include all species currently recorded from 2005, when health problems prevented him the UK EEZ and likely to be found in adjacent from using public transport, he came to the waters. museum almost every day. And for the next couple of years he would still try to come to his This guide considers all taxa included office once a week. in current British checklists and provides a full description and multiple images Jørgen Knudsen was born the eldest son of for each species. There are currently 363 physician Ludvig Knudsen and nurse Gerda species covered, although this number will Knudsen (née Thulin Sørensen) on 6 March increase with new species described and new 1918. Young Jørgen often daydreamed of being records for species that have previously been on an expedition across the inland ice with found outside our study area. Additional Roald Amundsen. Jørgen enjoyed field studies, content covers: illustrations of growth series and it was during a field trip in 1941 that he and varieties, distribution maps, habitat first met the famous deep sea marine biologist, information and a bibliography. Dr. Anton Bruun (1901-1962), who had grown up in the same part of Denmark as Jørgen and The chief advantage over a printed guide now became his mentor. Bruun offered Jørgen is the capacity to update information and to a student job at the Zoological Museum. Jørgen include new taxa as they are discovered and was to sort and identify the molluscs collected to promote this, feedback and additions from by the echinoderm specialist, Dr. Theodor users are strongly encouraged. This process Mortensen (1868-1952) during his many one- has already begun with new additions coming man expeditions all around the world. In these from samples collected from Rockall and collections Jørgen found what was to be the Hutton Banks. topic of his first scientific publication, the The guide will expand with the planned description of a new species of commensal inclusion of keys and pages on the bivalve published in 1944. Jørgen graduated discrimination of difficult groups. with a M.Sc. degree in January 1945 and shortly after married his childhood girlfriend, Johanne Plans are already being developed for (Hanne) Lomholdt, who had at this time expansion of coverage and a new website completed her education as a physiotherapist. devoted to the bivalves of the Western Indian Ocean is being planned – funds and partners In 1957 Dr. Gunnar Thorson (1906-1971) required! obtained funding to build a marine biological laboratory in Helsingør, and his position at the The Marine Bivalve Shells of the British Zoological Museum became vacant. Jørgen Isles identification guide can be found at: applied, and got the position, and from June naturalhistory.museumwales.ac.uk/ 1957 till May 1986 Jørgen could devote all his britishbivalves/ time to molluscs. In 1958 a separate department of Mollusca was established at the Zoological Anna Holmes & Graham Oliver Museum, and Dr. Henning M. Lemche (1904- 1977) became department head until his retirement in 1974. After this Jørgen took over Mollusca Section until 1980. Although Jørgen did not participate National Museum Wales in the Galathea Expedition he still set out to Cardiff work on the deep sea molluscs collected by the expedition, and in 1970 he defended his D.Sc. based on his “Magnum opus” on abyssal and Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 17 hadal Bivalvia (Knudsen, 1970). he reluctantly had to admit that travelling this far would be too strenuous for him. In Jørgen participated in several research February 2003 he had participated in the CIAC cruises, e.g., the USNS Bartlett in 1975, (Cephalopod International Advisory Council) The RRS Discovery in 1979, and the RRS symposium and workshop in Phuket, Thailand, Challenger in 1981. He was secretary of the and in September 2003 he participated in the scientific committee for the Danish Society for Open Meeting on Bivalves in Cambridge, U.K. Nature Conservation, and in this connection often had to negotiate with angry farmers who During this it had been difficult for him to wanted exorbitant compensations for any land walk from our accommodation to the lecture that was proposed for conservation. Jørgen halls – and to the pub! We had hoped that he was a council member of the Danish Natural could have joined the congress in Antwerp History Society from 1955 to 1973, president in 2007, but when the time came he was from 1969 to 1973, and editor of the society just recovering from an infection. While in publications Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra Antwerp a group of Jørgen’s friends decided dansk naturhistorisk Forening and Danmarks to organize a symposium in Copenhagen in Fauna from 1960 to 1969. Jørgen was also a connection with Jørgen’s 90th birthday in council member for the modest scholarship March 2008, and this attracted 27 participants fund established in memory of Dr. Johannes from 7 countries, including 5 invited keynote Schmidt, from 1964 till its merger with another speakers. Fortunately Jørgen was able to small private museum fund. attend all presentations, and he really enjoyed socializing with old friends as well as talking In 1986 Jørgen had his second major to the young malacologists. The results disappointment. In connection with university have been published as a special issue of the budget cuts, he was asked to take early Zoological Museum journal Steenstrupia retirement. He protested to the Dean of (volume 30, issue 2). This contains 6 papers, Science and his wife wrote to the Minister of two of which are co-authored by Jørgen(!), Education, but it did not help. Jørgen felt he and an appreciation based on the speech was forced to retire to prevent that a young given by Brian Morton and including a list of colleague was laid off. The Faculty of Science Jørgen’s publications. The special issue was offered him an “external lectureship”, but he published in the spring of 2009, and Jørgen was still very disappointed. To cheer him up I was very proud and happy when I brought it talked him into participating in an international to him. marine biology workshop in Albany, Western Australia in January 1988. He realized that now In total Jørgen published 124 papers he could take up his old interest in gastropod over 65 years (between 1944 and 2009), he egg capsules, and he ended up publishing about described 127 taxa (124 species, 2 genera half of his scientific papers after his official and 1 family), and so far 22 taxa (21 species, retirement! 1 genus) have been named in his honour. His publications comprised almost all extant Jørgen was an active participant in the mollusc classes (except Monoplacophora) UNITAS Malacologica congresses, and and are written in four different languages: although he was not among the founding Danish, English, French and German. Jørgen fathers, he joined a few months later, and he was Knudsen was a true “Renaissance Man”, treasurer for the first two congresses in London knowledgeable about history, art, gardening (1962) and in Copenhagen (1965). For the and many other subjects in addition to science. Copenhagen congress he succeeded in getting a He will be sorely missed. few Soviet scientists to participate, though they were subtly prevented from visiting his home for dinner with other foreign malacologists. In Kathe R. Jensen 1990 Jørgen and a few long-standing UNITAS Zoological Museum, Copenhagen members (the “spiritual fathers” in Jackie van [email protected] Goethem’s words) took the initiative to set up a trust fund to support student research and congress participation, and they also made the initial contributions to this fund. Between 1962 and 2001 Jørgen only missed one or two UNITAS congresses, but in 2004, when the congress was in Fremantle, Western Australia,

18 February 2011 Newsletter No. 30 www.unitasmalacologica.org

Somsak Panha (centre, pink shirt) and the WCM 2010 local organising team, Kata Beach Hotel, Phuket, Thailand, 23 July 2010.

Current and past presidents and secretaries of UM attending the WCM conference banquet, 23 July 2010: (left to right) Thierry Backaljau, António de Frias Martins, Rüdiger Bieler, Somsak Panha, Dai Herbert, Edi Gittenberger, Fred Wells, Jesús Troncoso

Unitas Malacologica Newsletter 19