Murex Shells of the World: An Illustrated Guide to the Muricidae

Exquisite in coloring, often bizarre or spectacular in sculpture, the Murex shells are popular among shell collectors throughout the world. Yet until now there has been no reliable guide to this diverse, wide-ranging group. This book, the first comprehensive taxonomic treatment of the Muricidae since 1880, fills that need for both the amateur collector and the professional malacologist and conchologist. This book offers detailed descriptions, range data, and synonymy for 390 species of Muricidae, 15 of them described here for the first time. Over 450 specimens are illustrated in full color, and another 62 are illustrated in black and white photos or wash drawings. Of particular interest to specialists are the 179 line drawings, showing radula, protoconch, or intritacalx, and the many innovations in classification based on radular dentition.