Lydeard co-edits book on mollusks

Dr. Charles Lydeard, chair and professor of biology in Morehead State’s Department of Biology and Chemistry, recently completed a book he co-edited with Kevin Cummings a senior researcher for the Biological Surveys and Assessment Program from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign entitled "Freshwater Mollusks of the World - A Distribution Atlas."  

Lydeard has been studying freshwater mollusks since 1992, and said he got involved in the project to provide a research resource for others who study the creatures.  

“Since working on freshwater mollusks since 1992, I have long felt there was a need for a single, definitive source of information on freshwater mollusks, “he said. “After working on various studies over the years, I finally put together a proposal with my colleague, Kevin Cummings, to do it.” Lydeard added he and Cummings began working on the project in 2014.  

The book brings together over two dozen world-renowned experts to contribute chapters on the 43 families of freshwater mollusks to synthesize the latest information on the diversity, evolutionary relationships, conservation and role freshwater mollusks play as disease vectors.  

“The book is sure to be invaluable to students, professionals and conchologists interested in this fascinating group of animals,” Lydeard said. “And, it was fun working with friends and colleagues from around the world assembling this volume.”

The book will be published by Johns Hopkins University Press and is now available for pre-order at https://jhupbooks.press.jhu.edu/content/freshwater-mollusks-world.

For more information about programs in the Department of Biology and Chemistry at MSU, email Lydeard at c.lydeard@moreheadstate.edu, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/biochem or call 606-783-2945.