
Symposia
The symposia are built up by oral presentations of regular congress attendees. To participate in one particular symposium, authors should submit an abstract and indicate their preference for oral presentation, as well as the thematic area and symposium of interest defined in the preliminary program. To take part in the final program, the proposed symposia depend on sufficient adhesion after the abstract submission period. Oral presentations ascribed to symposia with insufficient adhesion will be relocated to other symposia. Additional thematic sessions will be added in the final program.
Depending on the number of participants, we will fix the duration of a symposium (2 days max) and the maximum number of possible talks per symposium.
Four symposia are scheduled in parallel.
The time for a talk is 20 minutes: a 15-minute presentation and 5 minutes for questions.
List of symposia:
. Perspectives on conservation of freshwater mussels
Coordinators:
– Cristhian Clavijo – Vida Silvestre, Uruguay
– Igor Christo Miyahira – UNIRIO, Brazil
Freshwater mussels are one of the most incredible and threatened animals in the world. They have a unique life cycle and provide important ecosystem services. However, in recent years, they are also associated with a decrease in their populations due habitat modification and introduction of invasive species. Thus, measures to mitigate impact and improve conservation of mussels are urgently needed. The conservation strategies in Noth are by far better developed, and in this first World Congress of Malacology in South America, we have a unique opportunity in this symposium to establish a forum and a place for experience sharing, aiming a united effort for mussels conservation.
. Molluscan Microbiomes
Coordinator:
– Priscila M Salloum – University of Otago, New Zealand
Microbes are everywhere, including within animals. Molluscs are incredibly diverse and understanding how their associated microbes interact with them will help shed light not only on the specifics of molluscan microbiomes, but also on the overall evolution of the most diverse dynamics between hosts and their microbial symbionts. Microbiomes have the superpower to modulate their hosts characteristics and how their hosts interact with their surroundings. The number of microbiome studies in molluscan research has been growing pointedly in recent years – highlighting the interest of the malacological community in this new field of study, as well as its potential for innovation. This symposium will aim at covering all microbiome research involving molluscs as hosts of a microbial community, comprising aquaculture, response to anthropogenic and environmental stress, ecological and evolutionary perspectives on molluscs-microbes associations, and descriptions and isolations of microbes from molluscs.
. Young Taxonomists Symposium
Coordinators:
– Eliane Pintor de Arruda (coordinator) – Laboratório de Estudos em Macroinvertebrados Bentônicos, Departamento de Biologia – Centro de Ciências Humanas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Brazil
– Thais Aparecida Marinho – Laboratório de Malacologia da Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Departamento de Zoologia – Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil
The Young Taxonomists Symposium is a tradition at the Brazilian Malacology Meetings. The Brazilian Malacological Society recognizes that taxonomy is a scientific field that has faced significant discredit over the past decades, and the number of taxonomists among biologists, and consequently among malacologists, has been steadily decreasing. Therefore, this symposium aims to honor and highlight the taxonomic research carried out by young malacologists.
. Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna (TCBF): updating non-native and invasive molluscs in Brazil
Coordinator:
– Fabrizio Marcondes Machado – Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil
Created in 2015 by a team of over 500 zoologists, the TCBF is a bilingual, open-access government platform (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br) that allows specialists from various metazoan groups to perform real-time taxonomic updates. Specifically for Mollusca, more than 50 taxonomists are currently responsible for compiling the list of mollusk species in Brazil. Recently, around 6,000 updates were made to the platform, with 3,634 species listed for the Brazilian territory – for the first time, it was possible to provide a tangible answer to one of the most basic questions in Brazilian malacology: how many species of Mollusca are there in Brazil? Now, this cohesive group of malacologists will focus on developing the first comprehensive checklist of all potential exotic and invasive mollusks within the national territory. Following this important meeting (GT), a manuscript will be prepared to make these new findings available to the scientific community.
. Molluscan Macroecology and Biogeography
Coordinators:
– John G. Phillips – Valdosta State University and Rafael da Rocha Fortes – Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
We will explore biogeographical patterns of mollusks across diverse habitats, addressing ecosystem roles to foster discussions on the implications of macroecological research in conservation strategies, climate change, and biodiversity management. This symposium will seek to illustrate both historical and contemporary perspectives.
. Molluscs in One Planet: species distributions through space and time
Coordinator:
– Sthefane D’ávila – Museu de Malacologia Prof. Maury Pinto de Oliveira, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora – UFJF, Brazil
The scope of the symposium “Molluscs in One Planet: species distributions through space and time” includes all aspects of mollusc species distributions and methodological approaches such as (1) species distribution modeling, (2) ecological niche modeling, (3) updating geographic distributions of native and invasive species, (4) mapping species distributions for conservation assessments, (5) mollusc-borne diseases and geographic distribution of intermediate hosts, (6) projecting future distributions of mollusc species, (7) crop pests distribution and control, (8) spread and ecological impact of invasive species, (9) rare or endemic species and their conservation status, (10) biodiversity databases and malacological collections as sources of distributional data, (11) biotic and abiotic factors shaping species distributions, and (12) predicting the past distribution of species climatic niches, locations of past refugia, and migration pathways.
. Citizen Science and Mollusks: Bridging Communities and Research
Coordinator:
– Ruthela P. Payawal – Polytechnic University of the Philippines
The session shall explore the growing field of citizen science, focusing on its contributions to mollusk research. From coastal surveys to biodiversity mapping, citizen scientists play a crucial role in collecting data on mollusk populations, helping researchers track changes in ecosystems, identify new species, and address conservation challenges. This discussion will highlight successful collaborations between professional scientists and the public, showcase cutting-edge projects, and offer practical strategies for engaging communities in mollusk research.
. Epidemiologic and ecologic aspects of Malacology and snail control
Coordinator:
– Eliana Nakano – Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
In this symposium, the geospatial cartography of snails distribution, the predictive modeling, the species identification and control as well as the technologies and innovative approaches will be discussed.
. Terrestrial gastropods of Latin America
Coordinator:
– Rodrigo Brincalepe Salvador – Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Finland.
The symposium ‘Terrestrial gastropods of Latin America’ will explore the latest research on land snails and slugs of Latin America, covering both native and exotic species. Topics will include advances in taxonomy, phylogenetics, biogeography, and natural history, offering fresh insights into terrestrial gastropods’ diversity and evolutionary relationships in this biologically rich region.
. Diversity, equity, and inclusion in Malacology
Coordinators:
– Jacqueline Leta –“ Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil”
– Raquel de Souza Leal – Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The symposium “Diversity, equity, and inclusion in Malacology” will discuss the themes of gender inequality, racial diversity, and the inclusion of different social segments in malacology research. In the theme of gender inequality, data will be presented on the participation of women in leadership positions and in scientific production in this field and related areas. In the theme of ethnic-racial diversity, inequalities, respect for differences, and contributing to the elimination of discrimination and prejudice based on ethnicity or race will be discussed. Finally, in the theme of inclusion, we will present studies and reflections on quota laws and PWDs that also affect the malacology community. In this prestigious space within the Brazilian and international malacology community, the WCM cannot refrain from presenting the three current and relevant themes to its audience, and thus promote a conscious and objective reflection on the obstacles that a large part of its community, women, black people, and those with some kind of disability, face, seeking, and bringing to discuss strategies that help overcome these obstacles.
. AMS President’s Symposium – Teaching an Old Mollusk New Tricks: Innovative Research Using Museum Collections
Coordinator:
– Jingchun Li – CU Natural History Museum, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, USA
Combined Symposium Day on Innovation and Care of Mollusk Museum Collections
This year, the American Malacological Society and the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) are excited to collaborate on a special symposium centered around Innovation and Care of Mollusk Museum Collections. The event highlights the crucial role of museum collections in advancing research and conservation efforts within malacology, while also focusing on innovative methods for maintaining and utilizing these invaluable resources.
Morning Session: AMS President’s Symposium – Teaching an Old Mollusk New Tricks: Innovative Research Using Museum Collections. The morning symposium will feature invited speakers who are pioneering research projects utilizing mollusk museum collections in novel and groundbreaking ways. These presentations will demonstrate how historical collections can drive modern scientific discoveries, from evolutionary studies to ecological restoration and beyond.
Afternoon Session: Participant Symposium
In the afternoon, the symposium will feature presentations from meeting participants, showcasing diverse perspectives and new research centered on the care, digitization, and application of mollusk collections. This session will offer an opportunity for attendees to engage directly with the wider community, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
Join us for a day of cutting-edge research and thoughtful discussion on the future of mollusk museum collections.
. Molluscan behaviour in an evolutionary ecology context
Coordinator:
Barbara M. Tomotani – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
The symposium ‘Molluscan behaviour in an evolutionary ecology context’ will highlight recent advances in the study of molluscan behaviour, with a focus on evolutionary ecology. Contributions are welcomed from all classes of molluscs across various environments — marine, freshwater, and terrestrial — offering a broad perspective on how behavioural traits have evolved and adapted in diverse ecological settings.
. Bridging Tradition and Technology: Advancing Mollusk Collection Stewardship and Research Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) Symposium
Coordinator:
– Jennifer Winifred Trimble – Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, USA
This year, the American Malacological Society and the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) are excited to collaborate on a special symposium centered around Innovation and Care of Mollusk Museum Collections. The event highlights the crucial role of museum collections in advancing research and conservation efforts within malacology, while also focusing on innovative methods for maintaining and utilizing these invaluable resources.
Afternoon Session: Participant Symposium In the afternoon, the symposium will feature presentations from meeting participants, showcasing diverse perspectives and new research centered on the care, digitization, and application of mollusk collections. This session will offer an opportunity for attendees to engage directly with the wider community, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas. Join us for a day of cutting-edge research and thoughtful discussion on the future of mollusk museum collections.
. Palaeontology of marine Cenozoic molluscs
Coordinator:
– Danae Thivaiou – Naturhistorisches Museum Basel
– Matias do Nascimento Ritter – Centro de Estudos Costeiros, Limnológicos e Marinhos – CECLIMAR/CLN/UFRGS / Centro de Estudos de Geologia Costeira e Oceânica/CECO, IGeo, UFRGS, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Molluscs appear in the fossil record in the Cambrian Period, have had a rich evolutionary history and represent today the largest group of animals – in terms of species diversity – in marine environments. During the Cenozoic, molluscs have witnessed major climatic changes, undergone periods of rapid diversification or extinctions, and now face various risks due to human activities and rapid climate change. Their ecological adaptations, good preservation potential in the fossil record and ability to record environmental conditions in their shells make them a key material for understanding a wide array of research questions.
The Symposium welcomes presentations on all aspects of the study of fossil and sub-fossil molluscs of the Cenozoic (incl. Holocene), such as:
(1) Taxonomy and Systematics of molluscs
(2) Molluscs through rapid environmental changes and crises
(3) Evolution of molluscs
(4) Paleoecology of molluscs
(5) Molluscs in conservation paleobiology
. Emerging imaging technologies in malacological studies
Coordinator:
– Daniel Caracanhas Cavallari – USP, São Paulo, Brazil
The symposium ‘Emerging imaging technologies in malacological studies’ will bring together researchers and experts to explore how innovative imaging techniques are advancing our understanding of mollusks. We intend to focus on a range of imaging methods, including Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), fluorescence imaging, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Synchrotron Radiation Microcomputer Tomography (SRµCT), and other cutting-edge technologies. Participants will examine how these techniques are integrated into malacological studies and how they enhance our ability to visualise and analyse mollusk anatomy, physiology, development, diversity, and evolution. In addition to presentations, the symposium will create a dynamic environment for researchers to exchange experiences, encouraging discussions on methodologies, findings, and best practices. We invite you to submit your abstracts and engage in this collaborative dialogue that emphasizes the importance of emerging technologies in malacological research. Together, let us explore the complexities of mollusks through new perspectives at this prestigious global gathering!
. Molluscs as bioindicators
Coordinator:
– Alice Baynes – Brunel University London, UKBrunel University London, UK
– Elisabete Tsukada – UNICAMP, São Paulo, Brazil
Molluscs, especially bivalves, have long been studied as bio-indicators of pollution. Bivalves’ sessile nature combined with filter-feeding behaviour has made them a useful tool to understand pollution profiles in marine and freshwater environments. However, examples, such as the induction of imposex in gastropod molluscs worldwide also demonstrates that molluscs can have unique and unexpected susceptibility to certain types of chemical pollution. Pollution is known to be a major risk to molluscan populations. Molluscs living in various aquatic and terrestrial habitats are exposed to a myriad of contaminants from metals, biocides and industrial chemicals to pharmaceutical and personal care products. Despite this, molluscs are often under-represented in chemical risk assessments and a better understanding of the impacts of pollution on molluscs is needed to help protect vulnerable groups. In this symposium, studies (laboratory and field) addressing the impacts of pollution at different biological scales, from molecular, cellular, individual and population are welcome.
. From Architaenioglossa to Neogastropoda – systematics and evolution of caenogastropods
Coordinators:
– Nicolas Puillandre – MNHN, Paris, France
– Ellen Strong – Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC, EUA
– Yuri Kantor – Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Ac. Sci. Moscow, Rússia
– Alexander Fedosov – Swedish Museum of Natural History
The symposium ‘From Architaenioglossa to Neogastropoda – systematics and evolution of caenogastropods’ will focus on the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships among caenogastropods, in particular based on genomics approaches, and on the use of systematic hypotheses to tackle evolutionary questions about their diversification.
. Evolution of molluscan weirdness
Coordinator:
– Julia Sigwart – Senckenberg Research Institute and Museum
– Fabrizio M. Machado – Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Molluscs are capable of evolving rapid and dramatic changes to the body plan. The goal of this symposium is to showcase the incredible disparity of mollusc species and to discuss the challenges of interpreting convergence and rapid adaptations in understanding animal evolution. Presentations on molluscan body plan evolution, phylogeny, rapid phenotypic changes, adaptations, and natural history are all absolutely welcomed. In this symposium we want to consider the capacity of the molluscan body plan, genome, and diversity, and celebrate the weirdest molluscs.
. Molluscs in cave environments
Coordinator:
– Maria Elina Bichuette – Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
The symposium ‘Molluscs in cave environments’ will bring together researchers interested in the molluscan fauna of subterranean habitats worldwide. These environments serve as natural laboratories of biodiversity and can often act as refuges or speciation engines. Both bivalves and gastropods, whether terrestrial or aquatic, are included, and any topics related to them — from taxonomy to ecology to conservation — are welcome.
. News on freshwater limpets: systematics and distribution
Coordinators:
– Sonia Barbosa dos Santos – Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
– Ximena Maria Constanza Ovando – UFJF, Brazil
– Roberto Eugenio Vogler – Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Argentina
Freshwater limpets are a heterogeneous group, quite diverse despite the apparent similarity of the shell. The objective of this symposium is to present and discuss the current state of knowledge of the various families included in the group, presenting data on morphology, geographic distribution, phylogeny and systematics.
. Deep-sea Molluscs: a Synthesis
Coordinator:
– Flávio Dias Passos – UNICAMP
The symposium ” Deep-sea molluscs: a synthesis” will address contributions on taxonomy, biogeography, ecology, genomics and other topics related to molluscs from the deep sea.
. Multidisciplinary Approaches to Mollusca Systematics and Taxonomy
Coordinators:
– Juan Moles – University of Barcelona, Espanha
– Luiz Ricardo Lopes de Simone – Museu de Zoologia da USP, São Paulo
Several research approaches, such as anatomical, morphological, molecular aspects, among others, are important tools in elucidating the origin and vast diversity of the phylum Mollusca. Works that contribute to the areas of systematics and taxonomy of these organisms will be welcome in this symposium.
. Diversity and Evolution of Marine Heterobranchia
Coordinators:
– Vinícius Padula – National Museum, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
– Kara Layton – University of Toronto, Canada
– Juan Moles – University of Barcelona, Spain
– Jessica Goodheart – American Museum of Natural History, USA
Heterobranchia includes nudibranchs, sea hares, and other slugs and snail groups. They are known for their varied morphologies, vibrant colors, and complex behaviors, exhibiting a wide range of feeding strategies and ecological roles, including interstitial groups. While some are herbivorous, others prey on sponges, cnidarians, or even other molluscs. This symposium brings together studies on the systematics, taxonomy, ecology, and evolution of marine heterobranch representatives.
. Invasive gastropods as agricultural pests
Coordinator:
– Reham Fathey Ali – Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Class Gastropoda, which includes snails and slugs, is a highly diverse group of animals that play important ecological roles, however many of these species are also considered significant agricultural pests. They cause substantial damage to crops in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry, often feeding on a variety of plants and compromising yield. Many gastropod species are classified as invasive, having been introduced to new regions through trade and commerce, where they disrupt local ecosystems and habitats. Recent efforts by malacologists have focused on identifying pest gastropod species, determining their distribution and abundance, and assessing the extent of the damage they inflict on crops. This research is critical for understanding the economic impact of these pests on agriculture. Future studies are expected to further evaluate the degree of crop damage caused by these mollusks, as well as their broader economic effects, helping to inform management strategies and mitigation measures to protect crops and prevent further spread of invasive species.
. Cephalopod Biology, Ecology and Life History Symposium
Coordinators:
– Erica A. G. Vidal, Universidade Federal do Paraná – Paraná, Brazil
– José Eduardo A. R. Marian, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
– Tatiana S. Leite, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina – Florianópolis, Brazil
The Symposium will highlight recent advances in the study of cephalopods, and welcomes contributions from all fields of cephalopod research, aiming at promoting dialogue and facilitating future interdisciplinary collaborations.