ABOUT THE AUTHORElizabeth Gosling, PhD, DSc, based at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland, is an author of international repute with a huge wealth of research, teaching and hands-on experience of working with bivalves.

• Preface viiiAcknowledgements x1 Phylogeny and evolution of bivalve molluscs 1Phylogeny of the Mollusca 1Phylogeny and evolution of Bivalvia 3Evolution and adaptive radiation in Bivalvia 7Notes 10References 102 Morphology of bivalves 12Introduction 12Shell 12Mantle 21Gills 24The foot 27Labial palps and alimentary canal 31Gonads 34Heart and haemolymph vessels 34Excretory organs 35Nerves and sensory receptors 36References 383 Ecology of bivalves 44Introduction 44Global and local distribution patterns 44Factors affecting geographic distribution 52Factors affecting local distribution 55Climate change 78Note 84References 844 How bivalves feed 99Introduction 99Filtration rate 100Particle processing on the gills, labial palps and in the stomach 110The alimentary canal and digestive process 128Absorption efficiency 139Effects of bivalve suspension‐feeders on the ecosystem 141Notes 144References 1445 Reproduction, settlement and recruitment 157Introduction 157Sexuality 157Gametogenesis 159Reproductive cycles 159Factors controlling reproduction 165Annual storage cycle 170Reproductive effort and fecundity 171Deleterious effects on the reproductive cycle 175Fertilization 175Larval development 177Factors affecting larval growth 178Larval dispersal and population connectivity 181Larval identification and abundance estimation 184Settlement, metamorphosis and post‐larval dispersal 185References 1896 Growth 203Introduction 203Methods of measuring absolute growth 203Allometric growth 213Scope for growth and dynamic energy budget models 216Factors affecting growth 219Note 232References 2327 Circulation, respiration, excretion and osmoregulation 243Circulation 243Respiration 246Excretion and osmoregulation 260Note 264References 2648 Fisheries and management of natural populations 270Introduction 270Population dynamics 271Fisheries assessment and management 282Scallop fisheries 287Oyster fisheries 301Mussel fisheries 309Clam fisheries 314References 3199 Bivalve culture 325Introduction 325Fundamentals of bivalve culture 326Mussel culture 340Oyster culture 348Scallop culture 355Clam culture 362Bivalve culture and the environment 369Ecosystem approach to bivalve culture 371Note 374References 37510 Genetics in aquaculture 383Introduction 383Quantitative genetics 384Selective breeding 386Protein and DNA markers 394Bivalve genomics 403Chromosomal genetics and ploidy manipulation 408Transgenics 417Notes 419References 41911 Diseases and parasites 429Introduction 429Viruses 429Bacteria 431Fungi 434Protistans 434Porifera 447Helminths 448Annelids 451Crustaceans 452Neoplasia 454Defence mechanisms 455Perspectives 463References 46412 Public health 478Introduction 478Bacterial infections 478Viral infections 480Biotoxins 481Industrial pollutants 488Controls on the production and processing of bivalves 490Elimination of pathogens and other hazards 495Monitoring and quality control 499HAACP system 502Notes 508References 508Subject index 514Species index 520

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