Who among us hasn’t marveled at the diversity and beauty of shells? Or picked one up, held it to our ear, and then gazed in wonder at its shape and hue? Many a lifelong shell collector has cut teeth (and toes) on the beaches of the Jersey Shore, the Outer Banks, or the coasts of Sanibel Island. Some have even dived to the depths of the ocean. But most of us are not familiar with the biological origin of shells, their role in explaining evolutionary history, and the incredible variety of forms in which they come. Shells are the external skeletons of mollusks, an ancient and diverse phylum of invertebrates that are in the earliest fossil record of multicellular life over 500 million years ago. There are over 100,000 kinds of recorded mollusks, and some estimate that there are over amillion more that have yet to be discovered. Some breathe air, others live in fresh water, but most live in the ocean. They range in size from a grain of sand to a beach ball and in weight from a few grams to several hundred pounds. And in this lavishly illustrated volume, they finally get their full due. The Book of Shells offers a visually stunning and scientifically engaging guide to six hundred of the most intriguing mollusk shells, each chosen to convey the range of shapes and sizes that occur across a range of species. Each shell is reproduced here at its actual size, in full color, and is accompanied by an explanation of the shell’s range, distribution, abundance, habitat, and operculum—the piece that protects the mollusk when it’s in the shell. Brief scientific and historical accounts of each shell and related species include fun-filled facts and anecdotes that broaden its portrait. The Matchless Cone, for instance, or Conus cedonulli, was one of the rarest shells collected during the eighteenth century. So much so, in fact, that a specimen in 1796 was sold for more than six times as much as a painting by Vermeer at the same auction. But since the advent of scuba diving, this shell has become far more accessible to collectors—though not without certain risks. Some species of Conus produce venom that has caused more than thirty known human deaths. The Zebra Nerite, the Heart Cockle, the Indian Babylon, the Junonia, the Atlantic Thorny Oyster—shells from habitats spanning the poles and the tropics, from the highest mountains to the ocean’s deepest recesses, are all on display in this definitive work.

"The Giant Clams" is the author’s complete coverage of these remarkable reef-dwelling animals, which has been written and photo-illustrated for anyone interested in them. Inside you’ll find information on: the biology of giant clams, the common and uncommon species, the problems they face, how they are aquacultured, and much more. The book also includes over 500 photographs and illustrations. Table of Contents: Preface Introduction Chapter 1: Tridacnine Anatomy, Physiology, and Reproduction Tridacnine Shells Tridacnine Soft Parts How Tridacnines Work Tridacnine Reproduction Chapter 2: Tridacnine Miscellanea Ecological Roles Some Other Symbionts Mantle Coloration Dealing with UV Exposure to Air Jerking and Squirting Deformities and Funky Mantles The Biggest Clams Tridacnine Pearls Maximum Lifespans A Bit More About the ZTS A Few Close Cousins Name Changes, Cryptic Species, and Trees A Variety of Zooxanthellae Attachments and Self-Righting Making Burrows Tridacnine Shells and Humans Chapter 3: The Common Tridacnine Species Tridacna crocea Tridacna maxima Tridacna noae Tridacna derasa Tridacna squamosa Tridacna gigas Hippopus hippopus Chapter 4: The Uncommon Tridacnines and Hybrids Hippopus porcellanus Tridacna mbalavuana Tridacna squamosina Tridacna elongatissima Tridacna rosewateri Hybrid Tridacnines Chapter 5: Tridacnine Troubles Bleaching Bacterial Infections Protozoans and Pinched Mantle Deteriorating Ligaments Boring Sponges and Algae Overgrowing Algae and Corals Bad Worms Predatory and Parasitic Snails Other Predatory Animals Humans Chapter 6: Tridacnine Aquaculture Broodstock and Spawning Gamete Collection Fertilization Larval Rearing Grow-Out On From There References and Image Credits Index You can also find James' giant clam photo galleries and videos and more at jameswfatherree.com.

Conus is the largest genus of animals in the sea, occurring throughout the world's tropical and subtropical oceans and contributing significantly to marine biodiversity. The shells of these marine mollusks are prized for their amazing variety and extraordinary beauty. The neurotoxic venoms they produce—injected by a hollow, harpoon-like tooth into prey animals that are then paralyzed and swallowed whole—have a range of pharmaceutical applications, from painkillers to antidepressants. This beautifully illustrated book identifies 53 valid species of the southeastern United States and the Caribbean, a region that supports a diverse but taxonomically challenging group of Conus. Introductory chapters cover the evolution and phylogeny of the genus, and notes on methodology are provided. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, taxonomy, distribution, ecology, toxicology, life history, and evolutionary relationships. The book includes more than 2,100 photos of shells on 109 splendid color plates; more than 100 additional photos, many depicting live animals in color; and 35 color distribution maps. Identifies 53 valid species—the first reassessment of western Atlantic Conus in more than seventy years Features more than 2,100 photos of shells on 109 color plates Blends the traditional shell-character approach to identification with cutting-edge shell and radular tooth morphometrics and molecular genetic analyses Includes color images of live animals as well as color distribution maps

This is an updated edition of the author's "Giant Clams in the Reef Aquarium" (2019), which has been written and photo-illustrated specifically for the interested reef aquarist. Inside you can find information on: the biology of giant clams, detailed information about the common species, how to choose and purchase the best specimens, how to care for them in aquariums, how to deal with problems that may arise, and much more. Table of Contents: Introduction Chapter 1: Tridacnine Biology and More The Shells The Soft Parts Mantle Coloration How They Work Reproduction and Growth Attachments, Self-Righting, and Boring Exposure to Air Chapter 2: The Tridacnine Species Tridacna crocea Tridacna maxima Tridacna noae Tridacna derasa Tridacna squamosa Tridacna gigas Hippopus hippopus Hippopus porcellanus Tridacna mbalavuana, a.k.a. tevoroa Tridacna squamosina, a.k.a. costata Tridacna elongatissima Tridacna rosewateri a.k.a. lorenzi Hybrid Tridacnines Chapter 3: The Aquarium Care and Acquisition of Tridacnines (In)Compatibilities Water Quality and Flow Appropriate Lighting Choosing and Shopping Acclimation and Adaptation Proper Placement Feeding and Foods Chapter 4: Tridacnine Troubles Bleaching Bacterial Infections Protozoans and Pinched Mantle Boring Sponges and Overgrowing Algae Stinging Cnidarians Flatworms and Bristle Worms Predatory Crustaceans Predatory and Parasitic Snails Gas-Bubble Disease Deteriorating Ligaments Spawning Events References and Image Credits Index You can also find James' giant clam photo galleries and supplemental videos at jameswfatherree.com.