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ABOUT THE COLLECTION

Gladys Doy Archerd Shell Collection is a taxonomically classified, scientific collection of about twenty thousand sea shells, varying in size from miniatures to those over 14 inches in size --many of which are now rare. Shells of the Pacific Rim comprise its main focus, but shells from many other world regions are part of the Collection as well. Out of print reference books, containing unusually good color plates as aids in identification, are included with the Collection.

Gladys Doy Archerd was born in Washington State and lived her adult life in Berkeley, California. She loved the seashore, began collecting shells as a young girl living on the Olympic Peninsula, later became learned in zoological systematics, and continued building the Collection throughout her life into her 80th year. Her collection was well-known in the region, where she also volunteered expert assistance to Stanford University in organizing its shell collections. She was also a published member of the Northern California Malacozoological Club.

The Shell Collection is a gift to Washington State University Tri-cities from Burton E. & Artis L. Archerd Vaughan

ABOUT THE SHELL CLASSIFICATIONS

The identification of gastropods and their placement in various taxonomic categories have been updated on a major scale in recent years, based on refined soft tissue anatomy, DNA, RNA, scanning electron micrography, and other modern technics, rather than shell morphology alone. Here, we have followed the updated classification proposed by Poppe & Tagaro (2006). Classifications recorded by Gladys Archerd for the Collection were largely completed many decades ago. However, for all shells here exhibited on the family pages and in the photo galleries, we have updated entries where needed to accord with current taxonomy (see Gastropod classification; Bivalve classification or Family Index pages). We have also tried to insert appropriate links or references to help with nomenclature changes. Note that entries for holdings listed in the separate shell data base (see Search the Database, above) may not yet have been updated if the shells are not exhibited here on the web site. Note, also, that the classification of bivalves remains that of Abbott & Dance (2000). Comments as to errors or oversights will be appreciated by email message (see address below).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This project was made possible through financial assistance from the Pacific Northwest Shell Club, Seattle, and technical support from the computer staff at the Consolidated Information Center at Washington State University Tri-Cities. We especially thank Dr. Barry R. Wilson for generously allowing us to post on our web site, live mollusc photographs from his several published works.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE & DISCLAIMERS

Pictorial and informational content are protected by copyright. Educational and research institutions are free to reproduce these pages for non-commercial, instructional purposes. The Archerd Shell Collection web site is a continuing development, and occasional web pages may be incomplete. 

Burton Vaughan, project manager
Paul Dionne
Cecilia Hui
Loan Nguyen
Yuanxi Zhang

Copyright © 2001. All rights reserved.

Please see also the Disclaimer and Freedom of Expression Policy of Washington State University.

CONTACT US

For more information about the Archerd Shell Collection contact:

Burton E. Vaughan, Ph.D.

Biology Department

Washington State University-Tricities

2710 University Drive

Richland, WA 99352-1671

Fax: (509) 372-7100

Email: b.e.vaughan@charter.net

Faculty Profile

 

  For information about the Pacific Northwest Shell Club contact:

Shary Almasi

2306 12th Avenue East

Seattle, WA 98102

Email: espatja@earthlink.net

Ann Smiley

Rt. 1, 2405 N. E. 279th St.

Ridgefield, WA  98642

 

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