Catalogue of Unionids (Mollusca, Unionidae) from Iberian Peninsula preserved in the Museo Nacional of Ciencias Naturales

Abstract

From the 1987, we are working in the recuration process of the collections from the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN). In 1999, among other achievements, 1357 specimens of unionids from the Iberian Peninsula have been catalogued; these specimens are from the collections of González Hidalgo, Paz y Membiela, Azpeitia, Álvarez, Cobos, etc. The habitats of the species of unionids experienced a gradual deterioration during the second half of the XXth century due to their relative intolerance to pollution. Actually, most collecting localities of the specimens in the MNCN are not suitable habitat for unionids today. The fast regression suffered by the Iberian species underscores the need to proceed to the recovery and the conservation of the aquatic ecosystems where species belonging to this family are present, before their total disappearance takes place. It is necessary to gather the information deposited in public and private collections, that could contribute to determine more accurately the past distribution of these species.