Occurrence datasets of Freshwater Snails (Gastropoda) of Kenya mobilized from the Zoological Collection of National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi and Literature

Occurrence datasets of freshwater snails (Gastropoda) housed at the historical records of the Zoological Collection of National Museums of Kenya (NMK) in Nairobi and updated with literature is provided to present extent of occurrence of freshwater snails in Kenya and elsewhere. A total of 24 species of freshwater snails (gastropods) accompanied with information on the species distribution (Locality and georeferenced information) is presented. The occurrence data indicate that majority of the gastropods voucher material housed at NMK collections were collected from Kenya. A number of material however are from other countries particularly Tanzania and Uganda. The occurrence data also indicate that Melanoides tuberculata is the most widespread freshwater snail species in Kenya and Eastern Africa. Several species appears restricted to one wetland. For instance, Biomphalaria choanomphala, Bellamya costulata and Bellamya constricta appeared restricted to Lake Victoria. The presented information contributes in enhancing knowledge of freshwater gastropods biodiversity. The presented information is also important for application in planning conservation of biodiversity by using the data for focusing conservation efforts in the species geographical ranges. The information presented also forms basis for planning research on gastropods to further promote knowledge on gastropods biodiversity. The project was funded by the European Union through GBIF to mobilize freshwater snails information housed at Zoological collection of the National Museums of Kenya and literature.

本数据集收录了位于内罗毕国家博物馆（NMK）动物收藏馆的历史记录中，经文献更新后的淡水螺（腹足纲）发生数据集，旨在展示肯尼亚及其他地区淡水螺的发生范围。该数据集共包含24种淡水螺（腹足类）及其物种分布信息（地点和地理参考信息）。发生数据显示，NMK收藏馆中储存的大多数腹足类凭证标本均采集自肯尼亚。然而，部分标本来自其他国家，尤其是坦桑尼亚和乌干达。发生数据还显示，Melanoides tuberculata是肯尼亚和东非最广泛分布的淡水螺物种。一些物种的分布局限于单一湿地，例如，Biomphalaria choanomphala、Bellamya costulata和Bellamya constricta均局限于维多利亚湖。所提供的信息有助于增进对淡水腹足类生物多样性的认识。这些信息对于利用数据聚焦物种地理分布范围，以规划生物多样性保护具有重要意义。此外，这些信息亦为制定关于腹足类的研究计划奠定基础，以进一步促进对腹足类生物多样性的认识。该项目由欧盟通过GBIF资助，旨在动员肯尼亚国家博物馆动物收藏馆中的淡水螺信息和文献。