Conus of the Southeastern United States and Caribbean

Prized for their amazing variety and extraordinary beauty, Conus is the largest genus of animals in the sea. The shells of these marine mollusks occur throughout the world’s tropical and subtropical oceans and contribute significantly to marine biodiversity. The neurotoxic venoms they produce have a range of pharmaceutical applications, from painkillers to antidepressants. This beautifully illustrated book identifies 53 valid species of the southeastern United States and the Caribbean, a region that supports a diverse but taxonomically challenging group of Conus. Introductory chapters cover the evolution and phylogeny of the genus, and notes on methodology are provided. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, taxonomy, distribution, ecology, toxicology, life history, and evolutionary relationships. The book includes more than 2,100 photos of shells on 109 splendid color plates; more than 100 additional photos, many depicting live animals in color; and 35 color distribution maps.