CENTENNIAL HONORS COLLEGE
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2015
Poster Presentation
A Survey of Terrestrial Gastropods of the Alice L. Kibbe Life Science Station in WestCentral Illinois
Andrea Hauk
Faculty Mentors: Kenneth McCravy and Charles Lydeard
Biology
Terrestrial gastropods are vital components in terrestrial ecosystems and are thought to play a key role in
litter decomposition and nutrient release in temperate and tropical rainforests. As part of an effort to
expand our knowledge of gastropod diversity in West-Central Illinois, a survey of terrestrial gastropods of
the Alice L. Kibbe Life Science Station in West-Central Illinois was conducted from April to May 2013.
A total of nine different sites were sampled within representative stands of five of the prevalent forest
types at the Station. A total of 20 species were found representing 11 families and 17 genera. The
Polygyridae were the most diverse family with 7 species. Twelve new records were found for Hancock
County. Although this study sheds additional light on the terrestrial gastropod fauna of West-Central
Illinois, further surveys are needed to establish baseline data and assess future trends in response to
habitat modification and climate change throughout the region.