Book Review - Marine Crustaceans of Britain and Ireland - Princeton University Press

 

     I remember well, as a young boy on infrequent visits to the seaside, being fascinated by tidepools and spending my time probing in them. The life forms  were both exotic and amazing and cemented my lifelong love of such habitats and the creatures they contain. The scope of this book, of course, expands far beyond tidepools, but the fascination remains the same. From the beach to deep offshore waters the crustaceans of these ecosystems are revealed in glorious detail.

    It is the work of three distinguished marine biologists with a passion for their subjects. All have vast experience around the world and it shows. The focus of this book is the British Isles but expertise and knowledge gained internationally raises the bar.

     The involvement of Seasearch, an organization dedicated to marine conservation and management is of material value in this book. All three authors are, or have been, Seasearch coordinators.

     The result is a first rate field guide crammed with information, accompanied by stunning pictures taken by the authors, but also submitted by enthusiastic divers and recreational crustacean enthusiasts. Your expertise will be enhanced whether you are a seasoned marine biologist or an amateur sleuth anxious to expand your own knowledge and contribute as a citizen scientist.

     When you progress to the species accounts you will be presented with the common name, scientific name, a general description, key features, similar species, abundance and distribution, and taxonomic notes. It is important to recognize that some species are very difficult to identify and it is a mark of maturity to assign the organism to the highest level you feel confident with; nailing down an organism to the generic level is often a major accomplishment!

     When one contemplates the years of research Charles Darwin allocated to barnacles one knows that he would have rejoiced in their inclusion in an august field guide such as this. Mister Anthrobalanus has found his place in the sun!

     The section on Hermit Crabs was a vivid reminder of my visit in February to Eleuthera Island in The Bahamas. These entertaining and highly interesting crustaceans are found in Britain too, and the geographic separation is shrunk in an instant. 

     There is a universality to these organisms and everyone can benefit from this book. Whether on a beach in The Seychelles, diving to a coral reef in the Caribbean or hunkered down on a rocky shore in Newfoundland, there are crustaceans. 

     You may never look at a crab the same way again!

 

Marine Crustaceans of Britain and Ireland - Princeton University Press

Lin Baldock, Charlotte Bolton and Iain M. T. Dixon

US$35.00 - ISBN 9780691274744

320 pages - 300 colour illustrations - 5.88 x 8.25 inches (14.70 x 20.625 cm)

Publishing date: (US) 04 August, 2026

                           (UK) 02 June, 2026