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SHELLS OF THE PHILIPPINES is the first book
of its kind devoted entirely to the identification of mollusks
occurring within the Philippines. For the first time, shell
collectors can avail themselves of a comprehensive guide to most of
the shells likely to be encountered in a trip to the islands.
Over 1,600 species are illustrated in 100 full
color plates, and coverage includes the Gastropoda, the Bivalvia,
the Scaphopoda and the Cephalopoda. In addition, four plates are
devoted to land snails and fresh water astropods, covering two
groups, some briefly, others in more detail. All species are
annotated with the currently accepted scientific name (including
author and date), a brief but concise description, and a
distribution profile within the archipelago.
SHELLS OF THE PHILIPPINES is not, nor does it
profess to be, a complete regional guide to all the molluscs
occurring in Philipppine waters. Such an undertaking would require
many years of work and research, and was never envisaged as the
principal object of the book. Rather, the guide was designed to meet
the needs of the ever-increasing number of collectors who require an
identification manual for the species most likely to be encountered
on a trip to the country.
A broad selection of most molluscan groups have
been covered, including a small section on Land Snails and Fresh
Water Gastropods. Nearly all of the commonly encountered molluscan
families have been touched on, some briefly, others in greater
detail. Many species, some endemic, others unnamed, have never
before been illustrated in any current identification guide, and are
now, for the first time, figured and described.
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