Published posthumously, “Shells” delivers great and current information on shells and the animals that make them. The 176-page volume would have been released three years after the untimely passing of my friend and colleague Dr Fabio Moretzsohn in early 2020. Fabio was an Assistant Professor at Texas AM in Corpus Christi, Texas. There is a wealth of data in his book on intriguing aspects of the biology and ecology of mollusks, and thorough coverage of little-known information on cultural and spiritual practices involving shells. The book is well-documented, with cross-references to recent scientific and general works on the subject.
Fabio’s narrative flows impeccably, and readers will enjoy his easy style even when explaining more involved aspects of the animals’ natural history. Smithsonian’s Emeritus Research Zoologist Dr M.G. “Jerry” Harasewych helped edit the manuscript and prepare it for publication after Fabio’s death. Jerry also contributed the two last chapters, including “Shells in a Changing World,” another cautionary, well-documented briefing about the severe alterations inflicted by humans to the natural environment and how mollusks are being affected by these changes. This book is a must-have in the library of any shell enthusiast. Fabios’s widow and his daughters will receive royalties from the sales of the book, which will be released on September 11, 2023 through Amazon and other sellers.
