Pandemic and conservation of freshwater molluscs in Argentina

Abstract

To date, the impact of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina has been quite significant in terms of social activity, but more specifically in terms of scientific field research (because of the absence of collection permits, the restrictions on circulation, the closure of laboratories, border controls and social distancing, among other issues). Completion of research by the present authors on issues related to the conservation and distribution of gastropods and freshwater bivalves from Argentina, for example by Torres & Darrigran (2019) and de Lucía & Gutiérrez Gregoric (2020), has been delayed because of laboratories being closed or field work not being possible. Even though the quality of the thesis work of these doctoral students (de Lucía, Torres), and of other students and researchers, has not diminished, its completion has been held back.