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Ian Killeen, David Aldridge & Graham Oliver    2004

Freshwater Bivalves of Britain and Ireland

 
ISBN 1 851 53892 5
Occasional Publication of the Field Studies Council (AIDGAP series)
v+114 A4 pages, spiral bound,
50 colour plates.
£20 + £3 p+p
FSC publications, Preston Montford, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury SY4 1HW.
Tel: 0845 3454072

 

Like many freshwater biologists, I considered bivalves to be boring in appearance and intimidating in taxonomy. This book has caused me to revise this opinion.

As a student in the 60's, my interest in birds was kindled by the Peterson, Mountfort and Hollom's classic field guide (Birds of Great Britain and Europe - Collins). With the option of easy identification, birds were no longer mere silhouettes against the clouds. This guide by Killeen, Aldridge and Oliver will, I suspect, generate a similar kind of enthusiasm for bivalves.

The book opens by describing the general biology of bivalve molluscs. Here as elsewhere throughout the book, the coloured drawings and photographs are both informative and aesthetically attractive, and the writing is as clear as the illustrations. Having covered functional anatomy, growth and reproduction, the book describes the origins of the the bivalves. The history of the study of bivalves is included, with due respect paid to the work of Ellis. The book then introduces the reader to aspects of ecology including the distribution and conservation of bivalves.

This ecological perspective leads naturally to a detailed analysis of habitats, including photographs and a species by species distribution table. Methodology is not neglected: health and safety and identification methods are included. With respect to the latter, the superb taxonomic photographs of siphons led me to wonder how the authors managed to obtain such a good compromise between wide depth of focus and detail. This virtue applies to all of the many photographs in the book.

The species within the four major families of Unionidae, Dreissinidae, Corbiculidae and Sphaeriidae are then described. For each species there is a description of nomenclature, key features, and external and internal anatomy, and features which separate this taxon from its neighbours. The habitat and distribution of each species are also described.

This book is a worthy successor to Ellis' long-lived monograph. It would be an excellent companion and guide for both the novice and the expert.

Geor