| Series | Field Studies Council AIDGAP Guides |
| Authors | Ian Killeen, David Aldridge & Graham Oliver |
| Language | English |
| ISBN | 9781851538928 |
| Publisher | Field Studies Council Publications |
| Pages | 114 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Images | Colour images, illustrations and distribution maps |
| Year published | 2004 |
The FSC Freshwater bivalves AIDGAP enables species-level identification of all 31 freshwater bivalves in Britain and Ireland. Note that this identification guide is a ringbound A4 book for practical field and lab use.
As well as traditional dichotomous keys, comparative tables emphasise key identification characters. Field identification of living specimens of large mussels is possible using external features. This guide was produced in partnership with the Environment Agency.
Each individual species account features photographs and diagnostic features, as well as variable features, distribution maps, small-scale habitat requirements and conservation status. Where necessary the authors provide concise notes on how to separate similar species of bivalve.
This guide is part of the FSC’s AIDGAP series (Aids to Identification in Difficult Groups of Animals and Plants). AIDGAP guides are accessible keys suitable for non-specialists from age 16+. Since 1976, the project has published over 40 straightforward and clearly written identification keys to many different groups of plants, animals and other taxa. In many cases the AIDGAP volume is the only non-technical work covering the taxa in question. Many guides have produced an immediate upsurge in the number and spread of biological records following publication.
Although written by specialists, all guides in the series go through field tests in draft form. As with all guides in the series, the Freshwater bivalves AIDGAP underwent extensive testing before publication, by beginners and specialists alike. The author has revised this, the first published version, in the light of the testers’ experience.
