Monday, October 24, 2005

A Snail Tale

Jackson County News is reporting that the New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) has been discovered in the Deschutes River in Oregon, indicating that the snail has continued its spread through that state. Perhaps more interesting, though, is that one of the occurrences was discovered because of the outreach being done by researchers at Portland State University. A ranger's aide who received one of the PSU ID cards quickly pulled out his card when he spotted snails on a boat at Deschutes River State Park. After a closer inspection he called the number on the card, and scientists later confirmed his id. This sighting is even more impressive given how tiny and inconspicuous the snails are.

Bonus points to the author of the article for using the snail's scientific name.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jennifer - just wanted to let you know that I though of you specifically when we were putting together that press release and I kept insisting that our PR folks keep the scientific name in!

Jennifer Forman Orth said...

You made my day Robyn!