Review - Bivalve Molluscs - Biology, Ecology and Culture (2003)

ISBN 0-85238-234-0

In 2003 Elizabeth Gosling published a comprehensive guide to bivalves called 'Bivalve Molluscs - Biology, Ecology and Culture'. This publication covers all aspects of one of the largest and most diverse yet important groups within the animal kingdom. There are over 50,000 species in the phylum and 30,000 of those are found in the sea! This book contains a great wealth of information.

Chapter one is an introduction to the subject and phylum of molluscs, describing the body plan that the group as a whole are characterised by. Bivalves are one of the most important groups within the phylum of mollusc due to the fact that they are the one that are eaten by humans in large amounts.

Chapter two looks at the morphology of bivalves, the shells, mantle, gills and foot. The internal body structure along with the heart and gonads and excretory organs are also covered. This chapter also looks at the nerves and sensory receptors, the labial palps and alimentary canal.

Chapter three looks at the ecology and global and local distribution patterns of bivalves and the phylum of molluscs. It covers the effects of temperature and salinity which are the two most important factors governing the distribution of marine organisms. It also looks at their effects on other aspects of bivalve biology.

Chapter four covers how bivalves feed, the filtration rates, body size and particle processing on the gills. Factors affecting filtration rate along with regulation of the rate of filtration and the energy costs involved. Also a closer look at the feeding biology of bivalves is covered along with the mouth and oesophagus the stomach and extracellular digestion.

Chapter five deals with reproduction, settlement and recruitment, that they have a simple reproductive system. It also covers the reproductive effort and fecundity of the bivalves, with fertilisation, larval development and dispersal, settlement and metamorphosis.

Chapter six deals with bivalve growth the methods of measuring absolute growth, growth curves and scope for growth along with factors affecting growth.

Chapter seven looks at circulation, respiration, excretion and osmoregulation of bivalves and other mollusc covering haemolymph plasma and haemocytes, heart rate, respiration and factors affecting oxygen consumption.

Chapters eight, nine and 10 covers fisheries, management of natural population's along with bivalve culture and genetics in aquaculture.

Chapter 11 looks at disease and parasites, covering many of the major diseases and defence mechanisms of the bivalves along with some of the parasites that infect mollusc.

Chapter 12 deals with public health, its covers the effects of bacterial and viral infections, biotoxins, and industrial pollutants. Its looks at the different assay types along with monitoring and quality control and covers the hazard analysis critical control point HAACP system.

This is an excellent book that covers the subject matter with concise and detailed information. Well written and presented and easy to understand, in my opinion a book worthy of all good student, zoologist, aqauculturist and marine scientists as well as anyone working in shellfish aquaculture - a must have book for the bookshelf.

This blog is written by Martin Little The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers.