After about twenty years of activity the previous two old societies existing in Italy, Società Malacologica Italiana and Unione Malacologica Italiana, decided to converge and to join their own interests, activities, researches, congresses and publications in a sole association. By this initiative Italian malacologists hope to act in the future in a dynamic and amplified way in Italy and abroad, through their best contacts, thus assuring a better and modern range of facilities.