This is the first (since 1952), original and fully colorful account of the entire fauna of terrestrial molluscs of most of the Palearctic. It covers 46 families, 225 genera and 781 species and subspecies. Information on each species-level taxon includes a reference to the original description, complete synonymy, data on the type locality and type material, size, distribution, and, when appropriate, taxonomic and nomenclatural notes. Virtually all of the species are illustrated in color, both the photos and drawings usually being based on the type material from various repositories. The photographs of most of the types are being published for the first time. This is an indispensible tool to anyone interested in land snails and slugs.

This unique book contains not only a comprehensive up-to-date summary of the achievements made in all areas of Nematology in South Africa over more than half a century, but it also combines this rather technical part with an insiders narrative of how Nematology started and developed. It also demonstrates how the South African community of nematologists gradually adapted to major changes in agriculture. These were due to a major political shift followed by socio-economic changes and this in an often challenging natural environment. At the same time this book is conceived as a useful source for young scientists to provide them with practical knowledge and critical insight in the field of Nematology. The information given is based primarily on research conducted by nematologists in South Africa. Most of this research was aimed at finding workable solutions for nematological problems confronted by both large-scale commercial producers and smallholding farmers. During a period when funding for scientific research is becoming increasingly scarce, the future demand and quest for practical solutions by applied research will only increase.

Snails and slugs have a reputation as slimy, repulsive creatures that are nothing more than garden pests, but they are important components of the ecosystems they live in. In fact, most of the pest slugs and snails are introduced species that have come here with the plants we import for our gardens. Worldwide there are more species of snails and slugs than all the mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians combined, yet they are often overlooked because of their relatively small size. Land snails and slugs are well adapted to live in almost any kind of environment, from high arctic tundra to tropical forests. In British Columbia, they can be found just about everywhere. Land Snails of British Columbia describes all 92 species of terrestrial molluscs in our province. It includes photographs and detailed drawings of each, diagnostic keys and a selection of colour photographs to aid in identification. With each species description, the author discusses its natural history and distribution in the province. He also talks about reproduction, life history, diet, locomotion and shell structure (even slugs have shells). Nature buffs and anyone interested in looking past the bad reputation of these much-maligned creatures will find this handbook an enlightening guide. For gardeners, this book will tell you which snails to cast out of your garden and which ones to keep, because some snails and slugs are beneficial to gardens and some even prey on their pestilent relatives.

Slugs and snails are part of the great Phylum Mollusca, a group that contains creatures as varied as the fast-moving squid or the sedentary clams, cockles and mussels. The largest group, however, are the gastropods, animals originally with a single foot and a single coiled shell.