Introduction
„Molluskenforschung Austria“ (MoFA) is a society founded as an Austrian platform for Malacologists supporting their projects and activities as well as fostering the communication with related research groups and initiatives at a national and international level.
The aim of MoFA is to promote networking and collaboration between scientists, research groups, institutions and the public. The work of Austrian Malacologists and therefore also up-to-date knowledge in the field should become more visible. Moreover, MoFA should support and facilitate the initiation and coordination of scientific studies.
Specifically our homepage and the links provided therein are dedicated to announce activities, foster networking and planning of projects and educate the public about malacology.
All people interested in malacological research are welcome to join the society.
History of MoFA
Malacological research in Austria has a long tradition. Already the Emperor Franz I Stephan von Lothringen was an enthusiastic collector of mollusc shells and his wife, Empress Maria Theresia, engaged Ignaz von Born for the scientific analysis of that material.
Looking at the present malacological scene in Austria, there are several quite active working groups. There are for example the “Malakologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Salzburg“ located at the Haus der Natur in Salzburg, the „1. Vorarlberger Malakologische Gesellschaft“, the „Working group Alpine Land Snails“ at the Natural History Museum Vienna which are involved in various projects and engaged in communication with the public. The Department of Integrative Zoology at the University of Vienna has a strong focus on molluscan evolutionary developmental biology, and several projects on molluscs are currently running at the University of Vienna and the University of Natural Ressources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), e.g., a project on invasive slugs at the institute of Zoology (BOKU). Another huge project is the “DNA Barcoding of molluscs in Austria” in the frame of the Austrian Barcode of Life (ABOL) initiative.
To cross-link all those working groups and persons and to make their research better visible the idea emerged to establish an Austrian malacological society. In spring 2016 a group of persons with malacological interest met to prepare the foundation of the society and in summer the activities of such a society were discussed in more detail and the statutes of the society were drafted. With the approval by the society authorities “Molluskenfoschung Austria” – “MoFA “ was founded in August 2016. Fortunately, the society met with great approval among Austrian malacologists an had already 26 members at the first general meeting.
We are already planning joint projects and the development and design of the MoFA homepage resulted from an excellent collaboration. MoFA is looking forward to grow and attract many more members interested in the fascinating world of malacology.
MoFA’s Statues
You can download the statues of the society (in German) here.
Board
At the fourth general meeting of the society in November 2022 the society´s organs were elected. Presently the board of MoFA consists of the following persons:
- President: Michael Duda (Natural History Museum Vienna)
- Vice Presidents:
- Elisabeth Haring (Natural History Museum Vienna)
- Oleg Mandic (Natural History Museum Vienna)
- Robert Patzner (University of Salzburg)
- Andreas Wanninger (University of Vienna)
- Secretary: Katharina Mason (Natural History Museum Vienna)
- Deputy Secretary: Hannah Schubert (Natural History Museum Vienna)
- Treasurer: Alexander Mrkvicka (Perchtoldsdorf)
- Deputy Treasurer: Otto Moog (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU))
- Editor: Helmut Sattmann (Natural History Museum Vienna)
- Editor Homepage: Sonja Bamberger (Bichlbach)
- Field Experts:
- Jan Steger (University of Vienna) – Taxonomy of marine (and fossil) molluscs
- Alexander Reischütz (Vienna) – Taxonomy of native molluscs
- Other Board Members:
- Luise Kruckenhauser (Natural History Museum Vienna)
- Andrea Pohl (Dresden)
As Controllers Wilhelm Pinsker (Vienna) and Gerhard Steiner (University of Vienna) were nominated.
Everyone interested in malacological research is welcome to join our society.
Membership
You are interested in malacological research and would like to become a member of the society „Molluskenforschung Austria“? Please fill in the MoFA Membership Form and send it per e-mail or mail to:
Verein „Molluskenforschung Austria“
z.H. Katharina Mason
Burgring 7
1010 Wien
E-Mail: team@molluskenforschung.at
Types of membership
Both natural persons and legal entities can become members of MoFA. The admission takes place via approval of the Society´s Committee. There are different types of membership:
regular member, extraordinary members, honorary members (for details see Statutes)
Membership fee
Regular member: € 20 per year
Regular member – student: € 10 per year
When the Society´s Committee approved the accession you will receive an e-mail with details of payment of the membership fee. Subsequently, you will be informed through our newsletter about activities of MoFA and about news of the malacological community.
With your contribution you help to foster research of molluscs, support young scientists, e.g., by supporting their attendance at scientific meetings, to organize guided tours and presentations for the public as well as the maintenance and last but not least to keep this website up-to-date. The Society´s Committee would like to thank you on behalf of all members of MoFA.
Donations
Support MoFA with your donation and contribute to malacological research in Austria!
With your donation you support malacological projects, surveys, publications. Information about the activities of MoFA can be found on this internet site.