Field guides and reference books

Barker, G.M. (1999). Naturalised terrestrial Stylommatophora (Mollusca: Gastropoda). Fauna of New Zealand 38. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln. ISBN 0 478 09322 5. 253 pp.

Many of the land snails and slugs introduced into Australia have also been introduced into New Zealand, so this very detailed book is an excellent resource for people on this side of the Tasman. Species treatments include descriptions, type material, distributions, recommended common name, material examined, history in New Zealand, notes on biology and other comments. Colour photographs, line drawings, maps.

Smith, B.J. (1992). Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol 8: Non-marine Mollusca. AGPS, Canberra. ISBN 0 644 14598 6. 405 pp.

Checklist of the non-marine snails, slugs and bivalves of Australia and its external territories. Not illustrated.

Smith, B.J. & Kershaw, R.C. (1979). Field guide to the non-marine molluscs of south eastern Australia. Australian National University Press, Canberra. ISBN 0 7081 1817 8. 285 pp.

Unfortunately now out of print, this is an excellent guide to the non-marine snails, slugs and bivalves of Victoria, Tasmania, ACT, SE South Australia and southern NSW. Includes a key to families. Line drawings, maps.

Jansen, P. (1995). Seashells of central New South Wales. Patty Jansen, Belgian Gardens. ISBN 0 646 23760 8. 129 pp.

Survey of the shelled molluscs occurring in the inshore region around Sydney. Includes many micromolluscs (abundant in shelly sand), which most guides overlook. Line drawings.

Jansen, P. (1996). Common seashells of coastal northern Queensland. Patty Jansen, Belgian Gardens. ISBN 0 646 29824 0. 56 pp.

Concentrates on the common species of snails and bivalves found along the NE coast. Line drawings, colour photographs.

Jansen, P. (2000). Seashells of South-East Australia. Capricornia Publications, Lindfield. ISBN 0 9577455 0 8. 118 pp.

Pocket-sized guide to over 400 species of snails and bivalves found in shallow waters of the SE Australian coast. Colour photographs.

Wells, F.E. & Bryce, C.W. (1988). Seashells of Western Australia (revised edn). Western Australian Museum, Perth. ISBN 0 7309 077 0. 207 pp.

This and the following book are indispensable guides to the common inshore molluscs of Western Australia. Covers all the major mollusc groups including chitons (coat-of-mail shells). Colour photographs.

Wells, F.E. & Bryce, C.W. (1993). Sea slugs and their relatives of Western Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth. ISBN 0 7309 5523 0. 184 pp.

Excellent guide that covers about 200 tropical and temperate species of Western Australia. Although this is a handy pocket-sized book, it isn’t waterproof, so don’t take it down to the beach. Beautiful photographs and informative text. Colour photographs.