Malacology

The NYS Museum’s malacological collection comprises over 6,000 recorded lots of over 19,000 specimens, with the largest representation among Bivalvia (marine and freshwater clams and mussels) and Gastropoda (marine, terrestrial, and freshwater snails and slugs).   The Blinn Collection of marine shells and recent acquisitions of the Cornell University collection of central New York aquatic molluscs and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s collection of freshwater mussels from northern NY has given the Museum's malacological holdings increased depth and importance.   Ongoing Museum surveys of waterbodies in New York State contribute freshwater snail and mussel specimens to the collection.