Hello,
repeatedly there were put on Conch/L questions relating the systematic
classification of certain families or genera.
In connection with those questions also already several times it has been
given hints to my German book “Muscheln und Schnecken der Weltmeere”, 5th
revised and enlarged edition (1999), BLV Verlagsgesellschaft mbH., München,
Germany, as a good collector's guide for scientific grouping of the marine
molluscs. I think, as author I have to say few words about this book.
The first edition was published in 1975. It was accepted with big consent,
not only by the collectors but also by the experts in Europe and was soon
translated into almost all western European languages. Kathy Nicolay, at
that time editor of the Italian journal “La Conchiglia” wrote me in a
private letter: „I read your book in the French edition and find, it is
without doubts one of the best written books for amateurs in this field”.
Editions have been circulated also in the USA, Canada, Australia and New
Zealand. Nevertheless, I can't recommand to acquire maybe an available
second-hand copy of the editions 1 to 4, as these editions are totally
outdated.

The old classification of the gastropods, as developed by Thiele
(1929-1931), has been rather stable for quite some decades. This
classification recognised within the class Gastropoda three subclasses, viz.
Prosobranchia, Opisthobranchia and Pulmonata, the prosobranchs on their turn
subdivided into three orders, viz. Archaeogastropoda, Mesogastropoda and
Neogastropoda. However, research during the last two decades, especially on
“obscure” groups such as Pyramidellidae and Triphoridae, but also on
"Archaeo"- and "Neogastropoda", has revealed that this classification could
not be upheld any longer.
Also the first four editions of my book used the system based on Thiele.
Now, the new (fifth) edition of 1999 adopts the reflection of the new
developments in the classification, and is truly enlarged and revised: the
last old edition had 256, this fifth has 319 pages and is written complete
new, including some new illustrations of micromollusks and collecting sites,
and new, for some certainly still unfamiliar names such as Eo-, Ortho-,
Veti- and Caenogastropoda and so on. Also within the classification of the
Bivalvia and the Scaphopoda there have been some changes, which are
reflected.
New are also the addresses of some web-sites and e-mail addresses which can
provide more information for amateurs as well as professionals. Altogether,
the book reflects now the most modern insights in the classification of the
Mollusca and can be used for those who want to organise their collection
systematically, or those who actually are interested in classification.
The text starts with an introduction to zoological systematics, explication
of taxonomic rules and all the scientific terms necessary to understand.
Then it goes on to description of the various classes, beginning with
Polyplacophora and ending with Scaphopoda and Cephalopoda, but devoting most
of the space to Gastropoda and Bivalvia. For each class superorders, orders,
suborders, superfamilies and families are briefly described, also most of
the genera are listed, even regularly the non-shelled groups at all levels
are skipped.
The book is illustrated with about one hundred black-and-white photographs,
followed like in the older editions by 64 color plates with photos of over a
thousand species. Each plate is accompagnied by adequate captions.
Also the new edition is highly recommanded by the European collectors and
colleagues for daily use as one can read in the following journals by
example:

Reviews:
Mitteilungen der Deutschen Malakozoologischen Gesellschaft, Frankfurt a.M.,
1999, 64: 58-59 (Dr. R. Janssen)
Mainzer Naturwissenschaftliches Archiv, Mainz, 1999, 37: 353-354 (Dr. J. H.
Jungbluth),
Basteria, Tijdschrift van de Nederlandse Malacologische Vereniging, Leiden,
1999, 63 (4-6): 184 (Dr. A. C. van Bruggen),
Notiziario S.I.M., Supplemento al Bollettino Malacologico, Milano, 1999, 17
(5-12): 23 (Dr. F. Ghisotti),
Spirula, Newsletter Vita Marina, Den Haag, 1999, 46 (3): 44 (G. C.
Kronenberg)
La Conchiglia/The Shell, International Shell Magazine, Roma, 1999, 31 (292):
4-5 (G. Biraghi).

Beside the German original-edition are available so far
a Spanish edition (“Molluscos y Caracoles de los Mares del Mundo”, Ediciones
Omega S.A., Barcelona, Spain);
a French edition (“Guide des Coquillages marins”, Delachaux et Niestlé S.A.,
Lausanne (Switzerland)-Paris, France);
a Dutch edition (“Schelpen Gids – Schelpen uit de wereldzeen”, Tirion
Uitgevers BV, Postbus 309, 3740 AH Baarn, The Nederlands).

Whoever might interested in one of these editions applies the best to

ConchBooks,
Klaus & Christina Groh,
Mainzer Str. 25
55546 Hackenheim,
Germany

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

see also: http://www.conchbooks.de


with best greetings,

Gert
gert,[log in to unmask]