Mollusc Thanatocoenoses in Flood Deposits of the Beskid Mały Range and Foothills (Western Carpathians, Poland)

Rich and differentiated mollusc thanatocoenoses have been found in flood deposits in valleys crossing southern and northern margins of the Beskid Mały Range and its foothills. They are composed of 57 species of land snails and 7 of aquatic molluscs. Composition and structure of thanatocoenoses corresponds with type of environment in the surrounding catchment areas. Snails inhabiting valley bottoms, preferring shadowy or partly shadowy habitats, are the main components. During floods, mollusc shells were transported over a short distance only.