Guest Speaker: Peter Cosgrove: 'Mollusc of the Glen: Freshwater pearl mussel, Scotland's most important wildlife species?'.
14:00 – 17:30: Angela Marmont Centre, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD.
The talk will start shortly after 14:00, and will be followed by questions and displays.
Abstract: The freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera is arguably Scotland’s most important wildlife species due to unique ecological and cultural reasons. Freshwater pearl mussels were once abundant across Britain, but now are globally endangered and a large proportion of the world’s remaining populations are in Scotland, where they are in serious trouble. Between 2013 and 2015, Peter and his colleagues conducted a national survey of pearl mussels in Scotland, surveying all known river populations. Peter's talk will cover both the ecological and cultural elements of this most fascinating species and the work he has done on this species since 1996, with particular emphasis on the results of the recent Scottish national survey.
(Council members please note that there will be a Council meeting before this meeting.)
Bas Payne (01647 24515; bas.payne@gmail.com)