Edward J. Karlin’s scientific contributions

Thirty-two species and subspecies of shelled land mollusks were collected. Ninety-nine per cent of the snails were associated with some form of deciduous tree, usually aspen. Food chain relationships between aspen and land snails appear likely. The amount of available calcium also is a factor noted to be related to vegetation and affecting snail distribution. Because of these relationships, it is proposed that snail distribution be reported in terms of associated vegetation rather than altitude. Snail distribution in burned areas is also discussed. Chance distribution appears unlikely to be the only method involved and small, permanent populations within conifers are suggested to occur. Vertigo gouldi arizonensis, Gastrocopta pilsbryana and Striatura meridionalis are reported as new records for the state of Colorado.