The non-marine mollusks of Montana — a part of the molluscan fauna of the state in the Northwestern United States. The non-marine mollusks of Montana consist of land snails and slugs as well as freshwater snails, freshwater mussels and freshwater clams.
Species
A number of species of non-marine molluscs are found in the wild in Montana.
Gastropods
There at least 155 species of gastropods found in Montana.[1] Some of these species are exotics (not native to Montana)[2] and some species have been designated as Species of Concern.[3]
^Exotic species have been deliberately or accidentally introduced to areas outside of their native geographic range and are able to reproduce and maintain sustainable populations in these areas. These exotic populations may also be referred to as alien, introduced, invasive, non-native, or non-indigenous."Species Status Codes, Exotics". Montana Natural Heritage Project. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
^Species of Concern are native taxa that are at-risk due to declining population trends, threats to their habitats, restricted distribution, and/or other factors. Designation as a Montana Species of Concern or Species of Concern is based on the Montana Status Rank, and is not a statutory or regulatory classification. Rather, these designations provide information that helps resource managers make proactive decisions regarding species conservation and data collection priorities."Species Status Codes, Species of Concern". Montana Natural Heritage Project. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
^"Montana Field Guide-Bivalvia". Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
^Species of Concern are native taxa that are at-risk due to declining population trends, threats to their habitats, restricted distribution, and/or other factors. Designation as a Montana Species of Concern or Potential Species of Concern is based on the Montana Status Rank, and is not a statutory or regulatory classification. Rather, these designations provide information that helps resource managers make proactive decisions regarding species conservation and data collection priorities. See the latest Species of Concern Reports for more detailed explanations and assessment criteria."Montana Field Guide-Species of Concern". Retrieved 2010-12-07.
^"Montana Field Guide-Margaritiferid mussels". Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
^"Montana Field Guide-Unionid mussels". Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
^"Montana Field Guide-Fingerclams". Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
Further reading
Daniel L. Gustafson. "Aquatic Invertebrates of Montana". Biology Department Montana State University-Bozeman. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
Henderson, J (1924). Mollusca of Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Boulder, CO: University of Colorado Museum.
"Freshwater Mussels of Montana-A Field Guide" (PDF). Montana Natural Heritage Program. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
Stagliano, David (2010). Freshwater Mussels in Montana: Comprehensive Results from 3 years of SWG Funded Surveys (PDF). Montana Natural Heritage Program.