Abstract
There are three major mollusc collections in South Africa and seven smaller, thematic collections. The KwaZulu-Natal Museum holds one of the largest collections in the southern hemisphere. Its strengths are marine molluscs of southern Africa and the southwestern Indian Ocean, and terrestrial molluscs of South Africa. Research on marine molluscs has led to revisionary papers across a wide range of gastropod families. The Iziko South African Museum contains the most comprehensive collections of Cephalopoda (octopus, squid and relatives) and Polyplacophora (chitons) for southern Africa. The East London Museum is a provincial museum of the Eastern Cape. Recent research focuses on terrestrial molluscs and the collection is growing to address the gap in knowledge of this element of biodiversity. Mollusc collections in South Africa date to about 1900 and are an invaluable resource of morphological and genetic diversity, with associated spatial and temporal data. The South African National Biodiversity Institute is encouraging discovery and documentation to address gaps in knowledge, particularly of invertebrates. Museums are supported with grants for surveys, systematic studies and data mobilisation. The Department of Science and Innovation is investing in collections as irreplaceable research infrastructure through the Natural Science Collections Facility, whereby 16 institutions, including those holding mollusc collections, are assisted to achieve common targets and coordinated outputs.Significance:
 
 Mollusc collections are among the oldest natural science collections in South Africa, dating from just before 1900. They provide an invaluable resource of morphological and genetic diversity, with associated spatial and temporal data. They are spread across the country in three comprehensive and seven smaller, thematic collections and this paper puts together available information about these scattered and diverse collections. Each has its own strengths and specialisations, and together they cater to a variety of the country’s identified research priorities. Although staff complements are small, mollusc collections are well curated and conserved, expanding, actively researched and associated data are available online or on request.
Highlights
Mollusca is the second largest animal phylum with approximately 85 000 described species worldwide and just under 4000 in South Africa
Mollusc collections are among the oldest natural science collections in South Africa, dating from just before 1900
Their range of size and body form is unparalleled – from minute species visible only microscopically to large forms of several hundred kilograms, such as the giant clam and colossal squid. Their importance to humans is as wide-ranging as their physical diversity: marine species are important as food, utensils, adornment and even currency; freshwater snails serve as intermediate hosts of platyhelminth parasites of significance to human and livestock health; land snails are both friend and foe, but are pertinent to land-use planning due to their narrow-range endemism.[1]
Summary
Mollusca is the second largest animal phylum with approximately 85 000 described species worldwide and just under 4000 in South Africa (approx. 75% marine, 20% terrestrial and 5% fresh water). 75% marine, 20% terrestrial and 5% fresh water) Their range of size and body form is unparalleled – from minute species visible only microscopically to large forms of several hundred kilograms, such as the giant clam and colossal squid. Mollusc collections are among the oldest natural science collections in South Africa and date to just before 1900; they are an invaluable resource of morphological and genetic diversity, with associated spatial and temporal data. They contribute material to address a variety of the country’s identified research priorities. With a growing emphasis on cultural heritage, only two museums have staff dedicated to mollusc collections, research capacity to unlock their wealth of information is limited and the total number of staff responsible for the country’s mollusc collections is 19 (Table 1)
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