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27 June 2019 Terrestrial Mollusks of Great Basin National Park, the Snake Range, Nevada, USA
Mark A. Ports
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Abstract

In this paper I report on the poorly known terrestrial mollusk fauna of Great Basin National Park (Snake Range) of the central Great Basin, USA. Mollusk species and numbers were recorded according to habitat affinities defined by a combination of rock type, geomorphology, plant communities, and water sources. A total of 6892 individuals representing 18 species of land snails and 1 species of slug were identified from 50 stations within GBNP during the period of spring 2014 through summer 2016. Mollusks were surveyed by 186 soil/litter samples and 1755 min of hand searching. Twelve habitat types included 2 xeric limestone/dolomite environments with conifer/aspen woodlands and no perennial waters (10 species in woodland litter and 15 species in rock slides below cliff faces). Two habitats dominated by granite/quartz rock with conifer/aspen woodlands and perennial streams supported 12 species in woodland litter and 13 species in rock slides. Eight species were recorded from a lower-elevation riparian habitat with cottonwood and shrubs. Two high-elevation habitats (approximately 3000 m) without perennial waters and dominated by bristlecone pine supported 1 species in limestone and 3 species in granite/quartz. A single high-elevation habitat (2800 m) of xeric pinyon pine/mountain mahogany and granitic/quartz rock supported 4 species. Two lower-elevation habitats (1800 m) supported 2 species in a sagebrush steppe, while no mollusks were found in pinyon pine/Utah juniper woodland. Two localized mesic habitats were associated with boggy streamsides and natural springs and supported 11 species each. The single species of slug Deroceras laeve and a species of succineid snail are restricted to these 2 habitat types. The 4 most common species of land snails (Pupilla hebes, Vallonia cyclophorella, Euconulus fulvus, and Vitrina pellucida) were present in 7 to 9 of the habitat types and represented 70% of the individual shells recovered. Taxonomic and biogeographical notes are included to allow for a better understanding of the species present in GBNP and the relationship of these species to the larger distribution of the terrestrial mollusks within Nevada and the Great Basin.

© 2019
Mark A. Ports "Terrestrial Mollusks of Great Basin National Park, the Snake Range, Nevada, USA," Western North American Naturalist 79(2), 247-259, (27 June 2019). https://doi.org/10.3398/064.079.0210
Received: 20 June 2018; Accepted: 27 November 2018; Published: 27 June 2019
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