Exploring the potential use of bivalves as indicators and monitors of ecosystem health, this book describes live and computer simulated experiments, mesocosm studies, and field manipulation experiments. This second edition discusses major new developments, including phase shifts in many coastal and estuarine ecosystems dominated by suspension-feeding bivalves, the invasion or introduction of alien bivalve species, the rapid growth of environmental restoration focused on bivalves, and the examination of geological history with regard to global climate change and its impact on bivalve-dominated systems.

Bivalve Molluscs is an extremely comprehensive book coveringall major aspects of this important class of invertebrates. As wellas being an important class biologically and ecologically, many ofthe bivalves are fished and cultured commercially (e.g. mussels,oysters, scallops and clams) in a multi-billion dollar worldwideindustry. Elizabeth Gosling who has a huge wealth of research, teachingand hands on experience working with bivalves, has written alandmark book that will stand for many years as the standard workon the subject. Chapters in Bivalve Molluscs covermorphology, ecology, feeding, reproduction, settlement andrecruitment, growth, physiology, fisheries, aquaculture, genetics,diseases and parasites, and public health issues. A fullunderstanding of many of these aspects is vital for all thoseworking in bivalve fisheries and culture. An essential purchase for anyone concerned with this importantclass of animals, copies of Bivalve Molluscs should be onthe shelves of biologists, ecologists, environmental scientists,fisheries scientists and personnel within the aquaculture industry.Copies of the book should be available in all libraries andresearch establishments where these subjects are studied ortaught. Elizabeth Gosling is based at the Galway-Mayo Instituteof Technology, Galway, Ireland.

This comprehensive book on the biology and ecology of edible marine bivalve molluscs covers the biology of edible marine bivalves; profiles about 18o species, providing information on their habitat, distribution, morphology, food and feeding, reproduction, conservation status, etc.; discusses their nutritional values; examines their pharmaceutic

Marine Bivalve Molluscs Marine Bivalve Molluscs is a comprehensive and thoroughly updated Second Edition of Bivalve Molluscs, covering all major aspects of this important class of invertebrates. As well as being an important class biologically and ecologically, many of the bivalves are fished and cultured commercially (e.g. mussels, oysters, scallops and clams) in a multi-billion dollar worldwide industry. Elizabeth Gosling has written a landmark book that will stand for many years as the standard work on the subject. Chapters in Marine Bivalve Molluscs cover morphology, ecology, feeding, reproduction, settlement and recruitment, growth, physiology, fisheries, aquaculture, genetics, diseases and parasites, and public health issues. A full understanding of many of these aspects is vital for all those working in bivalve fisheries and culture. An essential purchase for anyone concerned with this important class of animals, copies of Marine Bivalve Molluscs should be on the shelves of biologists, ecologists, environmental scientists, fisheries scientists and personnel within the aquaculture industry. Copies of the book should be available in all libraries and research establishments where these subjects are studied or taught. REVIEWS OF THE FIRST EDITION An admirable achievement...a valuable addition to marine sciences libraries everywhere. The back cover of this book says that it is a landmark text that will stand for many years as the standard work on this subject. I can only agree with this sentiment. ~ Aquaculture A welcome addition to the literature and provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of biological and environmental factors that affect and control both natural populations of marine bivalves and culture operations. ~ Aquaculture International The author has done an admirable job in compiling a wealth of information into a readable text. ~ Transactions of the American Fisheries Society Will serve well as a description of much of both the experimental biology and the aquaculture of bivalves. ~ Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology Provides excellent reviews of all major aspects...an extremely important reference for anyone engaged in bivalve research, fisheries management, and aquaculture. ~ Quarterly Review of Biology The book is very readable, in an easy style. It is well illustrated and there is a wealth of data and statistics presented. ~ Bulletin of the Malacological Society of London

U.S. mariculture production of bivalve molluscs-those cultivated in the marine environment-has roughly doubled over the last 25 years. Although mariculture operations may expand the production of seafood without additional exploitation of wild populations, they still depend upon and affect natural ecosystems and ecosystem services. Every additional animal has an incremental effect arising from food extraction and waste excretion. Increasing domestic seafood production in the United States in an environmentally and socially responsible way will likely require the use of policy tools, such as best management practices (BMPs) and performance standards. BMPs represent one approach to protecting against undesirable consequences of mariculture. An alternative approach to voluntary or mandatory BMPs is the establishment of performance standards for mariculture. Variability in environmental conditions makes it difficult to develop BMPs that are sufficiently flexible and adaptable to protect ecosystem integrity across a broad range of locations and conditions. An alternative that measures performance in sustaining key indicators of ecosystem state and function may be more effective. Because BMPs address mariculture methods rather than monitoring actual ecosystem responses, they do not guarantee that detrimental ecosystem impacts will be controlled or that unacceptable impact will be avoided. Ecosystem Concepts for Sustainable Bivalve Mariculture finds that while performance standards can be applied for some broad ecosystem indicators, BMPs may be more appropriate for addressing parameters that change from site to site, such as the species being cultured, different culture methods, and various environmental conditions. This book takes an in-depth look at the environmental, social, and economic issues to present recommendations for sustainable bivalve mariculture.

Bivalves are one of the most important groups of marine animals: they are abundant in benthic communities, they are sought after as seafood or ornament, and their shells are almost always conspicuous on the world's beaches. This identification guide for West African marine bivalves covers 462 species belonging to 59 families, based on an extensive material collected over several decades from Mauritania (Cap Blanc) to Angola (Baia dos Tigres), and now housed in in the French National Museum of Natural History. Therefore, any bivalve collected in the marine near-shore habitats of West Africa is most likely to be covered. Deep sea species (those normally collected below 500 meters depth, an additional 150 species) are listed but not treated at length. Profusely illustrated with over 3500 color and 1600 greyscale photographs, 800 stippled drawings, and an average of twelve views per species, the book is intended to be both the definitive resource and accessible to the non-specialist. Each species receives a description accompanied by a drawing of the interior showing the diagnostic details of the hinge and internal impressions and a photographic plate showing a selection of specimens from different localities across the species' range, an indication of distribution accompanied by a schematic map, an indication of habitat, and remarks, including comparisons with similar species. In the headings for each family, generic descriptions are illustrated with thumbnails of the included species to provide visual orientation. Morphological terms used in descriptions are explained in a glossary. Preceding these extensive taxonomic sections of the book is an introduction addressing the history of research, the physiography and hydrology of West African coasts, and the general characteristics of bivalves.

Bivalve filter-feeding mollusks are important components of coastal ecosystems because they remove large quantities of suspended material from the water and excrete abundant amounts of reactive nutrients. These animals are also major prey for numerous predators including birds, fish, mammals, and invertebrates; furthermore, they are significant food resources for humans. While studies on the organismic and population level have dominated bivalve ecology, the recent focus on the ecosystem roles of filter feeding systems has led to larger-scale investigations. With this approach the specific topics of physiology, grazing, predation, nutrient cycling, physical environment, computer simulation modeling, and environmental management are combined into a meaningful whole.

Bivalves, such as clams and oysters, are species having two-valved shells. In the marine ecosystem these species play a unique and essential role. This book examines the ecology of bivalves from an ecosystem or holistic view, taking into consideration their processes, interactions, and components. Studies of bivalves at the physical, organismic, and population levels are presented as foundations for understanding ecosystem processes. Ecology of Marine Bivalves: An Ecosystem Approach explores the potential use of bivalves as indicators and monitors of ecosystem health and describes experiments from the perspective of computer simulations, mesocosm studies, and field manipulation experiments. The theories of many areas of science support the various approaches. Concise reviews and more than 70 tables and figures give you rapid access to synthesized data about these keystone species.

The culmination of a ten-year study, Bivalve Seashells of Western North America treats all bivalve mollusks living from northern Baja California, Mexico to Arctic Alaska. A total of 472 species are described and illustrated with detailed photographs and drawings. All habitats in the region are included from the intertidal splash zone to the abyssal depths of the ocean basins. The book has over 4,800 complete bibliographic references to the bivalves, including citations on the biology, physiology, ecology, and taxonomy of this commercially and biologically important group. Character tables and dichotomous keys assist the reader in identification. Also included in the 764 page book is an illustrated key to the superfamiles of the region, and a complete glossary.

Exploring the potential use of bivalves as indicators and monitors of ecosystem health, this book describes live and computer simulated experiments, mesocosm studies, and field manipulation experiments. This second edition discusses major new developments, including phase shifts in many coastal and estuarine ecosystems dominated by suspension-feeding bivalves, the invasion or introduction of alien bivalve species, the rapid growth of environmental restoration focused on bivalves, and the examination of geological history with regard to global climate change and its impact on bivalve-dominated systems.