Description
Book SynopsisThis well-illustrated book highlights freshwater mussels' fabulous diversity, amazing array of often bizarre ecological adaptations and their dire conservation plight. It provides the first comprehensive review of a wide variety of topics in mussel ecology and conservation for scientists, natural resource professionals, students and natural history enthusiasts.
Trade Review'This book provides a thorough literature review of the available information, and a detailed analysis and synthesis of this information. Haag does a magnificent job at compiling this information, summarizing it, and attempts to make some important inferences based on the available data. Overall, the book is a fantastic contribution to the ecological literature and … very nicely produced … Given the wealth of information within this book and the thought-provoking synthesis, [it] should be a part of every aquatic ecologist's bookshelf.' Carla Atkinson, Ecology
'… the first comprehensive modern review of natural history, biology, ecology and conservation of these highly endangered animals. This is the book I would have loved to have had as a graduate student first becoming interested in freshwater mussels. … I highly recommend this volume to all biologists working with freshwater mussels in any capacity including conservation, captive propagation, and biology and community ecology. It should be on the bookshelf of all freshwater biologists. I also recommend this volume to any person with questions or an interest in learning more about this highly endangered group of animals.' Freshwater Science
'… the author provides an excellent and highly readable account of the diversity of this group in terms of biogeography, life history, and ecology, all in the context of conserving the group. This is a highly enjoyable read that finally gives a detailed answer to the frequently asked question heard in the field by most freshwater mussel biologists: 'can you eat 'em?' I am certain that it will serve as an outstanding reference and resource for anyone with an interest in aquatic ecology and conservation biology. With a thorough description of the history of freshwater mussel ecology to reviews of the latest modern literature, Haag highlights numerous important areas in need of additional research. This book is a 'must read' for biology students seeking novel ideas and untested hypotheses for research on freshwater mussels.' David T. Zanatta, The Quarterly Review of Biology
Table of Contents1. Introduction to mussels and mussel ecology; 2. Catching the mussel bug: a history of the study of mussel ecology in North America; 3. Diversity and biogeography; 4. Aquatic habitats and mussel assemblages; 5. Host use and host infection strategies; 6. These are very different animals: life history variation in mussels; 7. Mussel population biology; 8. Putting it all together: explaining patterns of mussel assemblage structure; 9. Human exploitation of mussels; 10. The decline of the North American mussel fauna: chronology and causes; 11. Mussel conservation: the challenge of protecting a fragmented resource.
