New Titles

1) Burke, Thomas E.. Land Snails and Slugs of the Pacific Northwest. 2013. Oregon State University Press. Paperback: 344 pages. Price: $35.00 U.S.

SUMMARY: Terrestrial mollusks, the second largest phylum in the animal kingdom, are vitally important to the earth’s ecology. With the publication of Land Snails and Slugs of the Pacific Northwest, a definitive and comprehensive guide to snails and slugs of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and western Montana is finally available.

      Primarily an identification guide, this richly illustrated volume offers complete information on the range of terrestrial mollusk shapes, sizes, and characteristics. It presents an overview of their habitat requirements as well as details of land snail and slug ecology, collection and preservation methods, and biogeography.

Land Snails and Slugs of the Pacific Northwest is an essential reference for biologists, horticulturalists, gardeners, and naturalists, and anyone wishing to identify species in the field.

      This book features:

• Identification keys and species accounts for most of the 245 taxa of terrestrial slugs and snails in the region
• 280 full-color photographs of 155 species and subspecies

• Range maps for most species

RECOMMENDATION: A must have for those with an interest in these terrestrial invertebrates.

 

2) Shipman, Pat. A Guide to the Little Cayman Nature Trail. 2012. Self-published. Paperback: 53 pages. Price: $10.00 U.S.

SUMMARY: This is the only book to offer an introduction to Cayman ecology. Lavishly illustrated, this small book can be carried with you as you walk the Nature Trail. It will help you to identify and understand the plants, reptiles, birds, snails and crabs you encounter. You will want to keep this book as a permanent reference to Little Cayman wildlife. Charming and accessible, reading this book feels as if the author is taking you for a walk along the trail and telling you stories about what you are seeing. As essential guide!

 

3) Shipman, Pat and Alan Walker. A Guide to the Seashells of Little Cayman. 2013. Rocky River Press. Spiralbound: 145 pages. Price: $25.00 U.S.

SUMMARY: This is the only book to focus on the seashells of the Cayman Islands, in particular Little Cayman. Hundreds of color photographs of nearly 100 of the most common shells help the amateur shell collector to identify treasures found on the beach. Unlike academic malacology books, which are organized taxonomically, this book is organized by general shape and size of each shell. This book is written in accessible language and tells readers about the size, color, diet, and habitat where each mollusc lives, as well as quirky information about various species. Learn how the Flame Helmet pounces on its sea urchin prey, how the egg cockles leaps out of boats, and how the fragile and exquisite spirula is formed. A small book, this volume can easily be slipped into a beach bag or pocket and taken with you to the beach. This is a charming and in invaluable guide for anyone interested in Caribbean shells and particularly those of the Cayman Islands. Written by a pair of retired professors who live on Little Cayman part-time, this book will spark your curiosity and teach you to appreciate the beautiful shells of Little Cayman.

RECOMMENDATION: These two guides will be useful for anyone visiting or living on Little Cayman.