Site of the Week
Man and Mollusc http://www.manandmollusc.net
If your zoological general knowledge is lacking in any way on the molluscan front, fear not: for all the information anyone could want to know about the snails, squid and shellfish of the known universe can be found here.
Head for the ‘Things You Always Wanted to Know About Shells’ section for molluscan facts and figures, or the more advanced ‘Introduction to the Mollusca’ to find out, at great length, about the anatomy, behaviour and general biology of the many groups of animals in this phylum. As the site’s name implies, though, you’ll find more than just natural history info: the site goes into the relationship between man and mollusc, too. This might sound like rather an unimportant affiliation, but as the authors explain, “…just as today becomes the past and tomorrow becomes the present, man’s uses of molluscs and their shelly homes is boundless.” So there. From eating scallops and mussels to using shells as jewellery, tools and musical instruments, our connections to the mollusc world are broader than you might have thought.
All in all, despite the slightly dated design and a shortage of pictures, this is a great site for all types of visitor: the articles have both in-depth and younger-reader versions, and there’s a kids zone full of ideas for teachers and pupils. Together with the colossal links section, providing access to a vast collection of related sites, you should have no problem becoming a world mollusc expert within minutes.
Richard Northover
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