Biogeography of Galápagos Land Snails

摘要: Land snails are among the earliest scientific collections recorded for Galapagos. Although land have not always been primary interest of collectors visiting islands, material—mostly empty shells—made its way to private and museums in Europe United States, where it was described by specialists. Such prominent 19th century as Hugh Cuming, Charles Darwin, George Baur well-known their plant and/or animal collections, but only with respect Cuming could be said that mollusks exceeded or even rivaled his other interests natural history. Despite this ancillary position studies flora fauna Galapagos, were object considerable biogeographical speculation (Stearns, 1893; Dall, 1896). These speculations centered on how a remarkably diverse snail might develop small, arid, extremely isolated archipelago.