F. Giusti, G. Manganelli and P.J. Schembri. Monografie XV, Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Torino, 1995, pp 607, figs 635 (line drawings, half-tones and 8 in colour of habitats). ISBN 88-86401-24-1 (hard cover with dust jacket). Obtainable from Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via Giolitti, 36-10123, Torino, Italy. Price L. 130,000 + postage (payment on receipt of invoice; about £55).
Originally reviewed by David Long in 1996.
Published in Journal of Conchology (1996), Vol.35
This is a comprehensive monograph of a high standard, a pleasure to handle and to review. It is the result of a cooperative project between malacologists of the Dipartimento di Biologia Evolutiva of the University of Siena and biologists of the Department of Biology of the University ofMsida, Malta, undertaken in the early 1980s. The aim of the project was to revise the taxonomic composition of the fossil and recent land and freshwater molluscan fauna of the Maltese Islands, to investigate its relationships with that of neighbouring area of Italy and North Africa, and to reconstruct its history. The work begins with a general description of the islands, their vegetation and non-marine fauna in general. Sections follow on the general organization and morphology of gastropods and bivalves, and a summary of the history of malacological research in the Maltese Islands. An identification key to species precedes the catalogue of species, which forms the bulk of the book (over 400 pages). Here, each of the 78 species recognised as valid (9 brackish, 13 freshwater, 56 terrestrial) is illustrated and described in detail, with the comprehensive information clearly set out in a standard arrangement of sections: synonymy, materials examined, identification and differential diagnosis, description (detailed accounts of the shell, genital system and radula), habitat, distribution, palaeontology in the Maltese Islands, general remarks, status and conservation. The book concludes with a brief review of doubtful species and uncertain identifications and a final chapter dealing mainly with biogeographical aspects and conservation. An appendix gives lists of species group taxa (fossil, recent and nomina nuda) based on molluscs of the Maltese Islands. There is an extensive list of references and index of taxa.
This is a most attractive book, of the highest quality in content, design and production. The style is clear and concise, yet pleasurable to read. I did not find a single typographical error. The limited number of species in the island fauna allows each one to be given sufficient space for a satisfyingly in-depth treatment, extending to about 6 pages for some species. The illustrations are an outstanding feature: 8 in colour of habitats, about 85 groups of half- tone figures of shells, (mostly full-page arrangements), and numerous line drawings of anatomy. The quality of both the photographs of the larger shells and the scanning electron micrographs of the smaller species is excellent and well matched by the standard of the reproduction. Many species are illustrated not only as whole shells but also fragments chosen to show internal plicae and lamellae.
The book is designed to serve as an identification guide and also to provide the scientific basis for future research. Six recent taxa are newly recorded for the Maltese Islands, including a new species of Testacella. Other recent taxa are new for these islands because they were previously reported under other names, and yet other names are revised. A number of new records are given of species found as Quaternary fossils.
Of great value in the catalogue of species is the text under the section 'Remarks', where often there is discussion of taxonomic and biogeographical questions affecting areas far greater than the Maltese Islands. As a freshwater specialist I particularly appreciated the extensive treatment of the Hydrobiidae; 26 pages dealing with just the 5 valid species recognised by the authors to occur in this island group, but considering many other taxa. Thanks to the expertise of Foleo Giusti and Giuseppi Manganelli, this summary will greatly help the general reader to some understanding of the complex taxonomic questions concerning hydrobiid snails in the Mediterranean region.
Of the 78 species recognised, only 70 currently occur, or have until recently occurred in the Maltese Islands. Unfortunately 30 of these are considered to be under some form of threat (natural or man-made), which if continued might lead to further extinctions. There is some ground for hope that this faunal depletion may be slow or halted. Legislation passed by the Maltese Parliament in recent years encourages the authors to conclude that all the necessary legal and administrative mechanisms are in place for the conservation of threatened biota and habitats. 'All that remains to be done is to actually start putting this mechanism in motion'. This book is a fine example of what is needed to persuade administrators to take action to conserve wildlife - attractive illustrations of threatened organisms and clear information about the current status of populations and their vulnerability.
Congratulations to the authors, publisher and production team for their achievement. I strongly recommend this book and it is a bargain at the current sterling price. It will be indispensable to the researcher and serious collector and will give pleasure to everyone who is at all interested in non-marine molluscs.