Kurt Ockelmann's unpublished studies on the Thyasiridae (Mollusca: Bivalvia) of the North Atlantic, held in the Natural History Museum of Denmark
Abstract
The archive of illustrations and graphics relating to the research of Kurt Ockelmann (1924–2021) on the bivalve family Thyasiridae is reviewed. Although he published only one short paper on the family, the archive reveals that he undertook a substantial series of studies and shows his continuing influence on the taxonomy and life history of this family in the North Atlantic. Ockelmann was the first to recognise amphi-Atlantic species, their life habits and larval biology. He mapped the distribution of 19 species, drew their prodissoconchs and made superb drawings of the adult shell and their hinges. He made accurate anatomical diagrams of representative species of the genera. Given the excellence of illustrations many are reproduced here, as they are among the best available and a valuable resource when identifying species.
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