C3
Endangered species of marine molluscs

Evaluation of marine endangered species of small-sized invertebrates is difficult compared to large-sized or terrestrial animals. For this reason, shallow-water invertebrates were not assessed for conservation until recently. Species living in sheltered bays are more easily subject to extinction or population reduction, due to (1) high possibility of pollution with low water exchange and (2) disrupted distribution isolated by open oceans. Old museum collections include precious specimens recording original nature in the past. Specimens on exhibit represent examples of locally extinct marine molluscs in Japan which were lost after economic development since the 1950s.　 (Takenori Sasaki)

References

佐々木猛智 (2002) 『貝の博物誌』東京大学総合研究博物館。

環境省(編) (2014） 『日本の絶滅のおそれのある野生生物、Red Data Book 6 貝類レッドデータブック』株式会社ぎょうせい。