About this item
Echoing with the sounds of the sea, an exquisite survey of the science and customs of conchs, clams, coquinas, cowries, and much more. Shells have captivated humans from the dawn of time: the earliest known artwork was made on a shell. As well as containers for food, shells have been used as tools, jewelry, decorations for dwellings, and to bring good luck or to ward off spirits. Many Indigenous peoples have used shells as currency, and in a few places, they still do. This beautifully illustrated book investigates the fascinating scientific and cultural history of shells. It examines everything from pearls - the only gems of animal origin - to how shells' diverse colors and shapes are formed. And it reveals how shells have inspired artists throughout history, how shells have been used in architecture, and even how shells can be indicators of changing environmental conditions.
About the Author
Dr. Fabio Moretzsohn, originally from São Paulo, Brazil, has been interested in the ocean and shells since he was a kid. He studied biology at the University of São Paulo, then moved to Okinawa, Japan, to get a M.S. degree in marine biology studying corals and mollusks. Fabio received his Ph.D. in zoology on the taxonomy of cowries (Cypraeidae) at the University of Hawaii. After living in paradise for ten years, he moved in 2004 to Texas to work at the Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) . He recently became a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Life Science, TAMUCC. He has authored several books; the most recent is Pictorial Field Guide to Deep-sea Organisms of the Gulf of Mexico, soon be published by Texas A&M Press. Fabio is also managing editor of the American Malacological Bulletin and taxonomic editor of cowries in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) . He enjoys traveling, world music and food, computers and digital imaging, and his research interests include conservation and marine biodiversity.
