Australian Freshwater Molluscs: A forthcoming book on their biology, ecology, diversity and conservation

Abstract

Despite its arid heart, Australia has an amazing diversity of freshwater habitats, from underground aquifers, springs, swamps, floodplains and wetlands to streams, large rivers, billabongs, and lakes. These diverse habitats support an equally diverse, and unique, array of freshwater molluscs. There are more than 400 described endemic species from 23 families of gastropods and bivalves – with 99% of the native species occurring only here. Our online Lucid key to the genera and species (https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/freshwater_molluscs/) will be complimented by the forthcoming book. We have assembled teams of expert authors to address an extensive collection of topics involving the study of this highly endemic and varied fauna. Topics covered in the book include methods of study, freshwater habitat types, ecology, genetics, life history and dispersal, food and feeding, physiology, parasitology, conservation, archaeology, economics, fossil history, biogeography, toxicology, bioindicators, faunal diversity and the history of its discovery. The book will include full colour photographs, maps and illustrations, and with fully referenced up to date information, as well as novel findings, it will be an indispensable resource to anyone interested in or working with Australian freshwater molluscs.