Malacological Society of London

. and also seen in molluscs

Scientists are trained in theory and in practical skills. But sometimes the link between the two is not made. 'Why do this?' is often a harder question than 'How do I do this?'. So it was a pleasure to find in Tasman Crowe's talk at the World Congress (p. 14) a practical study lending support to the ideosyncratic theory of the role of species diversity. Similarly, Stephan Muller's study of the Asian clam in Britain (p. 4) brings a much needed animal model to re-inforce Tilman's (botanical) R* model of competition.

With these two examples as encouragement, I urge members to support Georges Dussart's education initiative (see next column). Although the UK A-level Biology specifications make little mention of invertebrates, the exams draw on deliberately unfamiliar examples to test students' understanding of concepts. Those examples could be drawn from malacology.

By broadening our outlook, we can contribute our due quota to mainstream biology, rather than be a source of supplementary examples that the title of this column suggests.

Thanks to all who contributed to this issue, particularly, of course, authors, and Maryvonne Charrier, Richard Cook, Liz Platts, Julie Ponder and Dai Roberts for photographs. Please send contributions - comment, techniques, news, new books, conferences, pictures etc. for the next (February) issue to me by late January. Please keep articles and abstracts simple and succinct, avoiding or explaining specialist terms. Where appropriate, include a reference to a more detailed account, and an illustration. Please make the content of emails clear in the header, or I may delete them unread as spam. Send material containing attachments to my University email.

Bill Bailey

					..Click an Image to visit The Society Website