Hidden Inhabitants of the Neretva Valley
Exhibition “Hidden Inhabitants of the Neretva Valley”
The exhibition is the result of a five-year collaboration between the Croatian Natural History Museum in Zagreb and the Natural History Museum Metković. During two years of field research in the Neretva Valley, exhibition curator Petar Crnčan and his collaborators collected material representing more than 200 species of molluscs, primarily freshwater and marine snails and bivalves.
The exhibition aims to reveal the often-hidden, overlooked, or inaccessible species of molluscs that inhabit the Neretva Valley and to highlight the remarkable biodiversity of this unique region. Visitors are introduced to the animal group that includes snails, bivalves, cephalopods, and several other classes of molluscs, as well as to the distinctive natural features of the Neretva Valley and the diverse habitats in which these animals live.
Special attention is given to species that can be found in everyday surroundings, whether intentionally collected for food or encountered by chance near springs, rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas.
The exhibition also addresses the threats and conservation challenges faced by different groups of molluscs. Species are presented according to their habitat types and accompanied by preserved specimens, while selected freshwater snails and bivalves are displayed as living specimens in aquariums.
The final section of the exhibition showcases a representative selection from the newly established Malacological Collection of the Natural History Museum Metković, which continues to grow as part of an ongoing five-year research project.
A special educational area designed for younger visitors presents several rare mollusc species that can be examined under a microscope and identified through enlarged photographs, offering an engaging introduction to the hidden world of these fascinating animals.
Authors
Petar Crnčan