Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake

A multimedia CD-ROM
Available August 2003

• What is Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake?
• What information does the CD include?
• Why was Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake developed?
• Who sponsored Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake 's development?
• Who is the Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake target audience?
• Who wrote the Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake CD?
• What are the system requirements for the CD?
• How do I order a copy of the Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake CD?
• How do I get more information on the Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake CD?

What is Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake?

Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake is an educational CD-ROM based application available for Macintosh and IBM-compatible personal computers. The software is supported by full documentation as well as this Internet web site.

What information does the CD include?

The rapa whelk CD includes three main sections:
Meet the Rapa Whelk - includes sections describing rapa whelk range, biology, life history, feeding behavior, locomotion, and appearance. Rapa whelk shells and egg masses are compared with shells and egg masses of native Chesapeake Bay whelk species to help users distinguish between the invader and the native gastropods.
Rapa Whelks in the Neighborhood - includes sections describing the potential ecological effects of rapa whelks on the food webs in the lower Chesapeake Bay.
Response to an Invader - includes sections describing habitat requirements for successful invasion by rapa whelks, a habitat risk assessment, potential control strategies, the initial signs of an invasion, and what to do if an individual finds a rapa whelk.

Why was Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake developed?

Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake was developed to communicate the results of ongoing VIMS Molluscan Ecology rapa whelk research to scientists, educators, andinterested members of the general public in the Chesapeake Bay region as well as habitats at risk for rapa whelk invasion along the US Atlantic coast.

Who sponsored Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake development?

Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake development was sponsored by Virginia's Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee, the VIMS Department of Fisheries Science, and Virginia Sea Grant Program.

Who is the Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake target audience?

Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake is written for scientists, educators and members of the general public who are interested in learning more about rapa whelks and their potential impacts in the Chesapeake Bay and similar ecosystems.

Who wrote the Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake software?

The Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake software was written by Juliana Harding (VIMS Department of Fisheries Science) in collaboration with Roger Mann (VIMS Department of Fisheries Science) and Vicki Clark (VIMS Marine Advisory Services).

What are the system requirements for the CD?

Macintosh system requirements: Classic Mac OS 8.6 or later, G3 processor or faster, 16 bit color, minimum of 64 MB of RAM, 24x CD-ROM drive.

PC system requirements: Windows 98 or higher, 266 mHz processor or faster, 16 bit color, minimum of 64 MB of RAM, 24x CD-ROM drive.

How do I order a copy of the Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake CD?

As of Spring 2007 Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake CDs are no longer available for purchase. A limited quantity of CDs remain in stock for distribution to interested educators. If you would like a copy of the CD, please fill out a CD request form completely and return it. We will fill requests in the order in which they are received as long as supplies last.

How do I get more information about the Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake software?

Veined Rapa Whelks: Aliens in the Chesapeake release updates and software information will be posted on this web site periodically. Specific questions should be sent to Juliana Harding (jharding@vims.edu).