Benthic Substrates: Their Effect on Fresh‐Water Mollusca

Mollusks have been collected in 650 locations in central New York State since 1966 in order to determine habitat preferences of the various species. Chemical and physical data were recorded at each locality. Three large lakes (Skaneateless, Otsego, and Oneida) were studies in detail to observe patterns of molluscan distribution. The species associated with different bottom types are tabulated. Mollusks are substrate distribution in typical environments are discussed. The lake studies show that definite relationships exist between mollusk distribution and substrate pattern. Species diversity is correlated with substrate diversity (r = 0.79) in 348 collection are that include several biotypes.