Sea Snails: A natural historyThis richly illustrated book presents the diversity and natural history of sea snail groups. By integrating aspects of morphology, ecology, evolution and behaviour, it describes how each group copes with problems of defence, locomotion, nutrition, reproduction and embryonic development. First come general characteristics of the Mollusca, to which snails belong; and next, characteristics by which snails (Gastropoda) differ from other molluscs. Then a broad, panoramic view of all major sea snail groups, from the primitive to the more advanced, is presented, including both the more abundant and some remote ones of special interest. In detailing primitive sea snails, first limpets (Patellogastropoda) are described, followed by brush snails (Vetigastropoda: top-shells, turbans and allies) and nerites (Neritimorpha), a small group with remarkably high variation in shell colour and in habitats. In looking at advanced-snails (Caenogastropoda), it details the herbivorous grazers and filter-feeders and the many voracious predators, some which use venomous darts. The book also covers sea slugs (Opisthobranchia), which have shifted from mechanical to chemical defence; some are herbivores, some use their food to harness solar energy, others are predators that gain stinging cells and poisonous compounds from their food. In addition, readers will learn about aspects of sea snails in human culture, including use as sacred artefacts and objects of magic and money, as a source of the royal and sacred dyes of purple and blue and as holy ceremonial trumpets. The text, in which scientific terms are accompanied by parallel common ones, is accompanied by over 200 illustrations (mostly in colour). This comprehensive, insightful portrait of sea snails will appeal to marine biologists, zoology lecturers and students, biology teachers, field-school instructors, nature reserve wardens, amateur naturalists, as well as to lecturers and learners of human culture. |
Contents
Primitive Sea Snails | 36 |
Advanced Sea Snails | 86 |
Away from the Basic Lifestyle | 202 |
ManSnail Links | 266 |
Glossary | 323 |
329 | |
341 | |
343 | |
347 | |
351 | |
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Common terms and phrases
adult advanced snails aeolid algae algal animal Atlantic behaviour bivalves body Caenogastropoda calcareous chank chloroplasts cilia coiled colour conch copulation coral cowry cowry shells crabs crawling defence duct dwell egg capsules embryonic evolutionary feed female fertilisation fish flaps foot function Gastropod genera genital genus gill habitats hatch hermaphrodites individuals Indo-Pacific inside intertidal juveniles larvae layer leaflets limpets Littorina lobes male mantle cavity Mar Biol margins mating Mediterranean metamorphosis molluscs moon shells mouth mucus murex nudibranch operculum Opisthobranchia organ parapodia particles penis plankton predators predatory prey primitive produced protein pulmonates purple radula Red Sea reproduction rock Sacoglossa sea butterflies sea floor sea hare sea slugs sea snails secreted shell aperture shell muscle shell trumpets shield slugs shore snail groups species sperm stinging cells substratum Super-family surface swimming teeth tekhelet tentacles tissues trunk veliger Vetigastropoda violet shell wentletrap whelks whorls winkles