• freshwater bivalves aidgap
  • freshwater bivalves aidgap
  • freshwater bivalves aidgap

Freshwater bivalves AIDGAP

Freshwater bivalves AIDGAP is an identification guide to all 31 species in Britain and Ireland.

  • Enables species-level identification
  • Illustrated with colour photographs throughout
  • An A4 book for practical field and lab use

Freshwater bivalve molluscs live in almost every type of freshwater habitat in Britain and Ireland. Some species indicate unspoilt or very specialised habitats, while others are nuisance invaders. They are often abundant. In parts of the River Thames, river mussels account for over 90% of the benthic biomass.

The aim of this guide is to stimulate recording of this important but neglected group. As well as traditional dichotomous keys, comparative tables emphasise key identification characters. Field identification of living specimens of large mussels is possible using external features.

Each individual species account features photographs and diagnostic features, as well as variable features, distribution maps, small-scale habitat requirements and conservation status. Where necessary the authors provide concise notes on how to separate similar species of bivalve.

This guide is part of the AIDGAP series (Aids to Identification in Difficult Groups of Animals and Plants). AIDGAP guides are accessible keys suitable for non-specialists from age 16+. Since 1976, the project has published over 40 straightforward and clearly written identification keys to many different groups of plants, animals and other taxa. In many cases the AIDGAP volume is the only non-technical work covering the taxa in question. Many guides have produced an immediate upsurge in the number and spread of biological records following publication.

Freshwater bivalves AIDGAP was produced in partnership with the Environment Agency.