The Sinemurian (Lower Jurassic) Gastropod Collection from the «Comissões Geológicas» of Portugal

Résumé

The “Comissões Geológicas” of Portugal evolved from 1857 to 1918. Paul Choffat, who specialised in the study of the Mesozoic stratigraphy and palaeontology, was one of its members and an active collaborator. He and his collectors compiled a reference extensive collection of Sinemurian gastropods, mainly collected from the S. Pedro de Moel and Coimbra areas. A total of 395 specimens are currently recognisable; the remaining ones were lost in fires or relocations. The major part of the present collection (74.68%) is housed in the Museu Geológico (Lisbon), where the labels are preserved and where the type and figured specimens in classical works are kept; the remaining specimens can be found in three other institutions, where they mostly resulted from offers: the Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência – Universidade de Lisboa, the Museu da Ciência da Universidade de Coimbra, and the Museu de História Natural e da Ciência da Universidade do Porto. These collections have unique taxonomical and stratigraphical information about outcrops no longer accessible. The creation of a virtual support not only makes the universal access easier, but also contributes to a better preservation of this invaluable material.