Freshwater Mussels of Central America

Freshwater Mussels of Central America describes a fauna of global conservation concern and provides a framework for researchers to begin to test hypotheses regarding the evolution of freshwater mussels in Central America. Placing the Central American fauna in context with that of North and South America, the authors fill a gap in our knowledge of this endangered and largely endemic fauna. The book: provides a full color treatment of all freshwater mussel species found in Central America includes distribution maps of all species presents complete synonymies in every systematic account offers historical information and bios of previous workers in the field cites complete literature and references on the mussels of the region. Through photographs, distribution maps and a complete list of species described and reported from Central America, this book will inspire researchers to begin filling in the gaps regarding the systematics and ecology of freshwater mussels in Central America. It will be an essential source for conservationists, aquatic biologists and those interested in natural history of temperate and tropical freshwater ecosystems.