Zoology: fishes (ichthyology) Books

Book SynopsisAn exploration into the untold lives of 50 of the most compelling fish living in our oceans and waterways.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDive beneath the waves to meet 80 of the ocean''s strangest and most surprising inhabitants.This beautifully illustrated aquatic world tour tells the fascinating stories of beguiling sea creatures and their ingenious feats of survival - from producing anti-freeze to enduring boiling temperatures - revealing the ways in which these seemingly remote creatures have shaped our own lives, whether through medicine, culture or folklore.Around the Ocean in 80 Fish and Other Sea Life is a timely and gorgeous celebration of our watery world and the marvellous creatures that call it home.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat has been the dish of kings, the subject of myths and the traveller of epic and mysterious journeys? The eel.Beginning life in the Sargasso Sea, the eel travels across the ocean, lives for twenty or so years, and then is driven by some instinct back across the ocean to spawn and die. And the next generation starts the story again. No one knows why the eels return, or how the orphaned elvers learn their way back. One man discovered, after many adventures, the breeding ground of all eels and he is the hero of this book.Eels were being caught and consumed 5000 years before the birth of Christ Aristotle and Pliny wrote about them; Romans regarded them as a peerless delicacy; Egyptians accorded them semi-sacred status; English kings died of overeating them. There are many strange practices among eel fishers all over the world, and many great fortunes based upon the eel harvest.The Book of Eels, a combination of social comment, biography and natural history, is also a fascinating and wTrade Review‘This is a captivating study…Tom Fort is incapable of writing a dull sentence.' Financial Times ‘A fascinating, beautifully written and deeply peculiar book.’ New Scientist ‘In this wonderful book, Tom Fort elevates Anguilla anguilla from the lowly to the exalted…The Book of Eels is a delightful surprise; Fort does wonders with his esoteric and fascinating subject.’ The Times ‘What a joy, a whole book on eels. It’s a very good book too, and a very English book…I suppose it is inevitable that somone will call this book ‘enchanting’. Take no notice. Buy it anyway. Give it to someone you like or, for even more fun, to someone you don’t.’ Spectator ‘Tom Fort is the Alan Bennett of the angling scene.’ Literary Review

Read more less

Book SynopsisSharks are ruthlessly efficient predators, the apex of 450 million years of evolution. They are older than trees, have survived five extinction events and are essential to maintaining balanced ocean ecosystems, but how much do we really know about their lives?The first book to reveal the hidden world of sharks, Emperors of the Deep draws upon the latest scientific research to examine four species in detail mako, tiger, hammerhead and great white as never before. An eye-opening tour of shark habitats ranges from the coral reefs of the Central Pacific where great whites mysteriously congregate every autumn in what researchers call a festival for sharks, to tropical mangrove forests where baby lemon sharks play in social groups and to the frigid waters of the North Atlantic, home to 400-year-old Greenland sharks, the world's longest-lived vertebrates. McKeever also traces the evolution of the myth of the man-eater' and exposes the devastating effects of the fishing industry on shark popTrade Review‘A must-read for anyone in love with our oceans and concerned with averting the looming ecological destruction of our planet … Brings to light the importance of sharks and their role as ancient guardians of the seas.’John Hocevar, Oceans Campaign Director, Greenpeace USA ‘Emperors of the Deep is a heartfelt tribute to the shark. When McKeever finally comes face to face with a great white, the monster of his childhood nightmares, his fear is gloriously transformed to awe, as he steals a glimpse of “a steadfast guardian of the world's oceans”’ Philip Hoare, Spectator ‘The plight of a much maligned predator is revealed in this heartfelt plea to respect the life in our oceans’ PD Smith, Guardian ‘A wonderful new book covering the biology of sharks, their ecological importance, and the threats they face … It puts forth an incredible amount of effort into educating a reader that has limited prior knowledge on the subject – a fantastic beginner read’ BBC Wildlife magazine

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"This pocket guide is perfect for those on a budget, for those wanting something they will have to hand when out and about, as well as to just marvel at the shear diversity of sharks and to learn more about how to identify them. I know it will be in my bag on every trip!"---Caroline Robertson-Brown, Scubaverse"Stunning and a much-needed resource on these much maligned and beautiful creatures."---Roy Stewart, British Naturalists Association

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is a tale of human obsession, one intrepid tuna, the dedicated fisherman who caught and set her free, the promises and limits of ocean science and the big truth of how our insatiable appetite for bluefin transformed a cottage industry into a global dilemma.In 2004, an enigmatic charter captain named Al Anderson caught and marked one Atlantic bluefin tuna off New England's coast with a plastic fish tag. Fourteen years later that fish dubbed Amelia for her ocean-spanning journeys died in a Mediterranean fish trap, sparking Karen Pinchin's riveting investigation into the marvels, struggles, and prehistoric legacy of this remarkable species.Over his fishing career Al marked more than sixty thousand fish with plastic tags, an obsession that made him nearly as many enemies as it did friends. His quest landed him in the crossfire of an ongoing fight between a booming bluefin tuna industry and desperate conservation efforts, a conflict that is once again heating up as overfishing and clTrade Review‘Karen Pinchin has written a moving, vivid, often heart-pounding narrative of the love, greed and dramas surrounding the lives and deaths of a fish upon whom human fortunes rise and fall–each an individual animal who surely loves his or her life as much as we love ours. Kings of Their Own Ocean is a moving and ultimately hopeful story, reminding us that if we are honest and we are wise, we still may save the denizens of our imperiled seas.’ Sy Montgomery, New York Times bestselling author of The Soul of an Octopus ‘Pinchin has written pathos, poetry and adrenaline into a story about one of the most famed and endangered sea creatures on the planet: the bluefin tuna. Not easy to get the science right while making the reporting riveting. But she did … Well worth the read.’ Ian Urbina, nationally bestselling author of The Outlaw Ocean ‘Awash in lyricism and anchored in science and history, Kings of Their Own Ocean submerges readers in the enthralling lives of Al Anderson and Amelia to explore the depths of the Atlantic bluefin tuna industry. Eloquent and sobering, Pinchin uncovers the tenuous fate of the bluefin, and deftly explains why the choices we make about the ocean matter.’ Gloria Dickie, author of Eight Bears and a National Geographic Explorer ‘In Kings of Their Own Ocean, Karen Pinchin has brought vigor and pathos to the human relationship with the inhabitants of our oceans—and what this complex relationship means for the future of the planet.’ Alicia Kennedy, author of No Meat Required ‘Strap in to your deck chairs and prepare to land the story of several lifetimes. In Kings of Their Own Ocean, a church launches a global seafood empire, researchers feud, the tuna leap, and most of all, fishermen and citizen scientists manage to save a vital species, armed only with their wits and a few plastic tags. Pinchin’s deep reporting and stunning prose ensure tuna will never taste the same.’ Lizzie Stark, author of Egg: A Dozen Ovatures

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe fresh waters of the British Isles are diverse, ranging from torrential hill streams to powerful rivers and wide, meandering lowland channels. Canals and drainage channels, ranging in size from ditches to the large Fenland drains of eastern England also hold fish, as do reservoirs, lakes, ponds and other still water bodies. The fish themselves are correspondingly varied. This pocket-sized book provides information about the 54 native, invasive and naturalised species found in the UK today, and includes a photograph of each to allow easy identification

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"A perfect companion for any diver or snorkeler."---Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown, Scubaverse"Attractively produced and printed on matt paper with usefully designedcover-flaps, this should be a book to treasure – even when, further down the line, it is reduced to a dog-eared existence in the club-van’s glovebox."---Steve Weinman, DiverNet"This book makes a significant advance in supporting the identification of fish in the UK by ail those who relish, or indeed depend on, accurate recording. . . . The authors and Seasearch are to be congratulated. The quality of these publications improves with every release."---Clare Peddie, Porcupine Marine Natural History Society"[Inshore Fishes of Britain and Ireland] is a first rate guide, well-conceived, well-produced and filled with information. It will be a joy for snorkellers, divers and keen naturalists."---David M. Gascoigne, Travels With Birds

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA new and updated edition of this popular title covering the fishes, invertebrates and other marine life of the Mediterranean Sea.Almost entirely enclosed by land, the Mediterranean Sea is surrounded by many popular wildlife destinations, including Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Gibraltar, Greece and Turkey. From sharks and turtles to anemones and sponges, Marine Life of the Mediterranean reveals the fascinating wealth of sea life found in this diverse region.Featuring more than 400 species of fish, corals and other vertebrates and invertebrates, each species account includes key information on identification, habitats, diet and behaviour. Recommendations on where to go scuba diving, as well as important information on dangerous marine life, conservation zones and marine protected areas are also included.This compact and easy-to-follow guidebook illustrated with colour photographs taken in a number of unique and exotic locations is an essential

Read more less

Book SynopsisAquaculture exemplifies the ongoing global struggle to strike a sustainable balance between the conflicting needs of a rapidly increasing world population, human health, ecosystem health, the welfare of wild and domesticated animals, and the economic principles of globalized economies. On the one hand, aquaculture has great potential for providing us with a healthy and nutritious food supply whilst alleviating pressure on captive fisheries and reducing fisheries-induced habitat destruction, overfishing, genetic modification of wild populations, and wholesale waste of bycatch. On the other hand, aquaculture relies heavily on clean water, an increasingly precious (and dwindling) resource that is subject to intense pressure of being used for many competing objectives. This concise primer introduces students to the basic concepts, opportunities, and challenges of aquaculture with an emphasis on ecological considerations. It provides a critical assessment of current aquaculture practices frTrade ReviewThis important new volume on aquaculture presents a remarkable synthesis of all the key issues involved in the commercial culturing of freshwater and marine species. It provides a comprehensive overview of the basic biological elements of aquaculture, including new information on the use of genomic and genetic tools, and incorporates these analyses into a broader ecological, environmental, and sociological context. The emphasis on strategies for protecting water quality-a vital part of the aquaculture enterprise-is especially well-presented. The volume deserves wide readership among students and scientists who not only have interests in aquaculture, but also in sustaining robust aquatic ecosystems in freshwater and marine environments. * George N. Somero, David and Lucile Packard Emeritus Professor of Marine Science, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, USA *Readers can obtain an excellent overall summation of the problems and ways forward as people rely more and more on augmented fish and seafood production. Though the style is technical, this primer is appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate students in various fields, including ecology, geography, and more. * Choice *Table of ContentsPreface Part I: GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGICAL AQUACULTURE 1: Aquaculture Terminology and Basic Concepts 2: The Historical Origins of Aquaculture 3: Seafood and Beyond: Key Aquaculture Objectives 4: Aquaculture Systems as Mesocosms 5: Integrated Multitrophic Polycultures 6: Domestication of Aquaculture Species Part II: BIOLOGY AND CULTURE OF AQUATIC SPECIES 7: Overview of Aquaculture Species Diversity 8: Environmentally Sustainable Plant Aquaculture 9: Aquaculture of Sponges and Cnidarians 10: Mollusc Aquaculture 11: Crustacean Aquaculture 12: Ornamental Fishes 13: Aquaculture of Freshwater Fish 14: Anadromous Fish 15: Catadromous Fish Part III: WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS 16: Abiotic Parameters 17: Feeds, Waste, and Stress 18: Infectious Diseases

Read more less

Book SynopsisGet ready to sink your teeth into this deck of 50 shark cards! Dive into the deep blue with The Shark Deck, featuring fascinating facts and figures on 50 shark species. From iconic sharks like the great white, tiger and hammerhead, to the lesser-known but equally captivating cookiecutter, wobbegong and goblin sharks, discover information on habitat, diet, conservation status, and maximum size of each fascinating fish. Written by marine biologist and full-time shark enthusiast, Dr Charlotte Birkmanis, this set is full of expert knowledge on these remarkable creatures of the deep. Whether you're a seasoned shark enthusiast or a curious newcomer, these cards are sure to provide hours of entertainment and education on the sea's most notorious inhabitants. Dr Charlotte Birkmanis is a marine biologist who researches sharks. She is intrigued by all predators and completed her doctorate in 2022 on where sharks are and why they are there ... through time and space! Recommended for ages 7+

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis volume is a comprehensive review of current scientific knowledge about the world’s largest and most famous living reptiles.Trade ReviewBiology and Evolution of Crocodyliansis an expensive book, but it is one that will serve any paleontologist seeking a detailed review of all aspects of modern crocodylian biology. The photographs and illustrations also make it a very attractive book for any natural history enthusiast. -- Adam Pritchard * Palaeontologica Electronica *The author, Gordon Grigg, and illustrator, David Kirshner, have written a wonderful, beautifully illustrated, all-inclusive treatise on the Crocodylia that has already become (and will remain for the foreseeable future) the most important compilation of information and references yet attempted. It will be invaluable to both current researchers and future generations of crocodylian biologists.... [D]espite working in the area of crocodylian evolutionary biology for over 35 years, I learned more about these animals than I ever imagined by reading this volume.... Overall, this is a most remarkable publication, one that surely will stand the test of time and be remembered as one of the most important contributions ever in the history of crocodylian research. -- Llewellyn D. Densmore * The Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of ContentsForeword Preface Acknowledgements1. INTRODUCTION Introducing crocodylians The living species of crocodylians The growth of scientific knowledge about crocodylians Body size and age2. THE CROCODYLIAN FAMILY TREE The modern crocodylians and their relationships Extinct Crocodylia and other crocodile-like reptiles; crocs in 'deep time' Summary3. CROCODYLIANS CLOSER UP The external features of crocodylians Skull and musculoskeletal system4. LOCOMOTION, BUOYANCY, AND TRAVEL Crocodylians on land Crocodylians in the water Buoyancy Stomach stones (gastroliths) Capacity for long distance travel5. SENSORY SKILLS AND BRAIN Vision Hearing, movement and balance Brain and cranial nerves Olfaction and gustation (chemosensation) Sense organs of the skin Cognitive capacities and learning6. FEEDING, DIGESTION, AND NUTRITION What do crocodylians eat? Prey capture and handling Digestion Nutrition7. ENERGY SUPPLY AND DELIVERY The metabolic engines: crocodylian biochemistry and metabolism Whole body metabolism (anaerobic and aerobic) The respiratory system The circulatory system8. THE WORLD'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY HEART A tour of the crocodylian heart Non-shunting and shunting patterns of blood flow What is the significance of pulmonary by-pass shunting in crocodylians?9. DIVING AND SUBMERGENCE BEHAVIOUR AND PHYSIOLOGY When? Why? How deep? How, and how for so long? Diving behaviour of crocodylians in the wild Physiological support for crocodylian diving What are the longest submergences by crocodylians that can be supported aerobically?10. THERMAL RELATIONS Introduction: crocodylians are not like other reptiles Daily and seasonal patterns of body temperature Behaviours that modify body temperature Physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation Thermal acclimatization Crocodylians may have endothermic ancestry Could even the basal archosaurs have been endothermic?11. SALT AND WATER BALANCE Salt and water balance in Crocodylus porosus: an introduction to crocodylian osmoregulation Salt and water balance in other crocodylians Living out of water, 'aestivation' Salt glands and implications for crocodylian evolutionary history12. REPRODUCTION Introduction: they’re more like birds Oviducts, ovulation, fertilisation and the gravid stage13. POPULATIONS AND POPULATION ECOLOGY Populations (and species) Population dynamics: changes through time Case Histories14. CONSERVATION, COMMERCIALISATION, AND CONFLICT Introduction Historical perspective The future for crocodylians?INDEX

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom shark attack survivor to the shark's biggest advocate, Paul de Gelder tells us just why these majestic diverse animals need our help as much as we need them.Something happens to you the first time you dive with sharksWe have a perennial fascination with sharks. Portrayed in the media and popular culture as killing machines, we are awed by their power and strength. But the shark is so much more a marvel of the sea, they have evolved over 450 million years into over 500 species, from the bioluminescent kitefin to the tiny dwarf lantern shark, the sociable lemon shark to the cow shark, which can birth up to 100 pups in one litter. Bringing balance to the ocean's ecosystem, our planet is at serious risk when these amazing creatures are threatened.Paul de Gelder, who lost two limbs in a shark attack during a mission as an elite Australian navy clearance diver, spent time as part of his recovery learning all about sharks. He became so obsessed that, despite what happened to him, he is Trade Review‘De Gelder’s uncommon perspective distinguishes the book, and it amplifies his call to protect sharks: if he sounds the alarm, the rest of us should at least take notice.’ – New Scientist ‘An ode to the species … De Gelder’s passion is all the more impressive when you learn about his own first near-fatal encounter.’ – Guardian

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Fish, Fishing and the Meaning of Life Jeremy Paxman creates the perfect literary catch for fellow angling enthusiasts in this rich and varied anthology. ''A superb compilation because it roams from carp to cod, trout to tarpon and does not regurgitate the same old clippings'' Independent on Sunday.Each chapter is introduced by Paxman''s own sharp, humorous observations and features both contemporary and historical writing about fishing in prose and verse, covering everything from tench tickling to piranha attacks. Some pieces are well known favourites, others are obscure, every one is a delight. Jeremy Paxman is a journalist, best known for his work presenting Newsnight and University Challenge. His books include Empire, On Royalty, The English and The Political Animal. He lives in Oxfordshire.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCentral Appalachia hosts a dazzling array of fish species that attracts robust scientific and recreational interests. Stuart A. Welsh draws on the work of early modern naturalists to examine central Appalachian fishes in terms of the food chain, conservation, climate change, and more as he considers these important creatures and their waterways.Trade Review“Stuart A. Welsh has produced an excellent contribution … treating a taxonomically broad subsampling of the diverse Appalachian fish fauna in this book. It affords readers an excellent opportunity to get to know these species and the families they represent in up close and personal detail through user friendly discussions and illustrations.” -- Wayne C. Starnes, coauthor of The Fishes of Tennessee“Several states have field guides to fishes that help identify species. Stuart A. Welsh’s book takes the reader to another level by way of his personal experiences with some of the area’s most fascinating species. This exceptionally readable book will appeal to professional biologists as well as lay naturalists.” -- Thomas K. Pauley, coauthor of Amphibians and Reptiles in West Virginia“With reader friendly stories crafted from his own experiences and published research findings, Stuart A. Welsh helps us peek under the surface. Northern Pike hunt from self-created silt screens; Brook Trout benefit from long-term relationships with eastern hemlock trees; and male Fantail Darters sport a dorsal fin with fleshy knobs, which mimic eggs, which attract females. Welsh’s book will appeal to various curious folks—fishers, paddlers, riffle-sitters—who’ll never look at a stream the same way again.” -- George Constantz, author of Hollows, Peepers, and Highlanders: An Appalachian Mountain Ecology“This book will help the average person understand and appreciate these enigmatic animals via fabulous photos and illustrations, and a mixture of soft and hard science.” -- Daniel Cincotta, fish biologist, West Virginia University and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Read more less

Book SynopsisSecond revised edition of the colourful field guide to tropical marine life, from tide pools to coral reefs and the open ocean beyond.Trade Review[Review of previous edition: ] Anyone fascinated by the underwater world will be riveted by the photos in this richly illustrated guide... Readers can lose themselves in the magnificent environment beneath the sea, observing a parrot fish sleeping in its mucus cocoon and a manta ray being cleaned by two remoras as a diver swims nearby. The text, written by Michael, who has worked as a scientific consultant for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel, is aimed at the novice, but it is a comprehensive resource on the many different aquatic species that make their homes in and around the world's reefs. Each listing gives the creature's dimensions, location and specific details about its behavior. For snorkelers or divers who enjoy identifying the underwater life they have seen, this well researched and impeccably documented book will be an invaluable resource.-- (04/05/2013) [Review of previous edition: ] Brandon Cole is one of the world's most accomplished underwater photographers and certainly one of the most prolific.... He has put a collection of his pictures together to form a useful guide to tropical marine life. The text is by Scott Michael, a sometime scientific consultant to National Geographic Explorer and Discovery Channel. Six hundred pages make up a weighty volume measuring 16 x 18cm, and half of that is reproduced in the conventional form of a fish-identification book, with a photograph and details of an example of each species. However, much of this book contains chapters on such issues as parental care in reef fish, schooling and shoaling, venom and poison, and cleaner-fish ecology. It even has an appropriately small section on algae. A major section details the different coral reef communities found around the world... There are chapters on elasmobranches, invertebrates, marine reptiles and marine mammals and all are illustrated, almost without exception, with beautiful pictures by Brandon Cole, although Scott Michael and a few others have filled in the inevitable holes. The text is informative and well sourced without being too wordy.-- (06/01/2013) [Review of previous edition: ] Identifies hundreds of the most commonly encountered species in tropical marine environments all over the world... Reef Life features more than 1,000 color photographs of 800 species. The ID guide includes the most likely encountered fishes and features name, species, habitat, range and a description particular to the animal covered. Readers will find information on feeding, mimicry and symbiosis. There is also a chapter on conservation.-- (06/01/2013) [Review of previous edition: ] This colorful, eye-catching title provides the reader with in-depth text on tropical marine ecosystems accompanied by brilliant photography.... The book centers around the coral belt..... Along with information on the marine life in these areas the authors provide users with what they are likely to see while diving in these areas... Useful as an identification guide as well as for those who want to browse the incredible photographs.-- (08/15/2014)

Read more less

Book SynopsisA FUN, SIMPLE GAME of matching pairs. In the format of a classic memory game, Under the Sea will have you pairing up ocean animals from dolphins to sea urchins.50 BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED CARDS featuring diverse wildlife from the world's oceansEASY GAME PLAY suitable for anyone over six years old, so you can start matching right awayLEARN ABOUT THE ANIMALS in the accompanying full-colour booklet with text from acclaimed nature writer Mike UnwinTHE PERFECT GIFT for budding marine biologists, animal lovers, or anyone looking for a beautiful family game Can you find a pair of puffins? A couple of clownfish? A duo of dolphins? Remember where the animals are hiding and match them up to win this fun family game for ocean adventurers. Learn about the fish, mammals and crustaceans from the game in the accompanying booklet as you play. Play as a memory game with the cards face do

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"I am at a loss for words to tell you how much I have appreciated this book."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"The most fantastic book. . . . It’s really accessible, explains in really clear, clear detail how the oceans work, how they change, what real impacts the ocean can have in our lives, and overall it’s a fascinating read."---Ken Whelan, Mooney Goes Wild, RTÉ Radio 1"Time for a real coffee-table book, one to dip into whenever you feel like plunging far beyond where scuba can take you. This, like Inshore Fishes above, is an offering from Princeton University Press, which has form in producing attractively produced books for divers to enjoy. . . . [The authors’] tone is scientific but always accessible, so it depends on how much deep information you want or need – the contents feel comprehensive – but for many of us it’s the photography that will be the main attraction."---Steve Weinman, Divernet ​​​​​​​"Strikingly beautiful . . . . Packed with images and illustrations of the life found in this dark and cold environment. . . . Whether you just love the ocean and want to learn more, or whether you are a budding marine biologist, this is a book that you are going to want to add to your bookshelf."---Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown​​​​​​​, Scubaverse"[This book] dissipates ignorance with superb colour photographs of astonishing organisms."---Andrew Robinson, Nature"Any individual unfamiliar with, but interested in, the deep sea should meet no challenges in learning much from this book."---S.R. Fegley, Choice"A fascinating visual account of one of the planet's last great frontiers. . . . [It] reveals the amazing diversity of undersea organisms." * Outdoor Photography *""An outstanding book.""---Roy Stewart, British Naturalists Association"[A] must read."---Geoff Carpentier, North Durham Nature Newsletter

Read more less

Book SynopsisA photographic handbook to the spectacular and diverse range of fish species in Britain.This comprehensive guide covers 200 freshwater and marine species most likely to be encountered across Britain. Richly illustrated with stunning colour photographs throughout, the species accounts include useful information on identification, size, key features, behaviour, habitat, distribution, conservation status, food and similar species, aiding accurate identification.Field Guide to British Fish also contains expert knowledge on fish twitching, life cycles, fish senses, and a handy list of British fish species. From the smallest minnow to gargantuan basking sharks, this is an essential companion for anyone interested in finding and identifying fish species from across the UK.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe surprising colors and fascinating lifestyles of the reptile and amphibian species in this book will mesmerize readers young and old.Trade ReviewThe breadth of herpetofauna in the area will surprise many readers: more than 8% of the world's salamanders and 11% of all turtle species live in the region. Beyond numbers, however, lie aesthetics. The surprising colors and fascinating lifestyles of the reptile and amphibian species in this book will mesmerize readers young and old. The Birdbooker Report While most field guides are organized by species, this book is more than a field guide; it places the animals in the context of their environment. The Altamont Enterprise ... - go find Al's book. It is a real gem, full of great insights and huge fun to read. Post StarTable of ContentsPrefaceIntroduction Chapter 1: Northeastern Deciduous ForestsTimber RattlesnakeEastern Red-backed SalamanderNorthern Slimy SalamanderWehrle's SalamanderYonahlossee SalamanderGreen SalamanderNorthern Coal SkinkNorthern Rough GreensnakeRing-necked SnakeNorthern Red-bellied SnakeNorthern Copperhead Chapter 2: Dry Pine WoodlandsFowler's ToadEastern Box TurtleCommon Five-lined SkinkBroad-headed SkinkEastern Fence LizardLittle Brown SkinkNorthern ScarletsnakeRed CornsnakeEastern Hog-nosed Snake Chapter 3: Northeastern GrasslandsNorthern Leopard FrogEastern WormsnakeNorthern Black RacerEastern RatsnakeEastern MilksnakeSmooth GreensnakeNorthern BrownsnakeShort-headed GartersnakeCommon GartersnakeSmooth Earthsnake Chapter 4: Wicked Big PuddlesBlue-spotted SalamanderJefferson SalamanderSpotted SalamanderMarbled SalamanderAmerican ToadGray TreefrogWood FrogSpring PeeperUpland Chorus FrogEastern Spadefoot Chapter 5: BogsFour-toed SalamanderNorthern Red SalamanderPickerel FrogWestern Chorus FrogSpotted TurtleBog TurtleEastern MassasaugaEastern Ribbonsnake Chapter 6: HeadwatersNorthern Dusky SalamanderAllegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander Northern Two-lined SalamanderEastern Long-tailed SalamanderSpring SalamanderMud SalamanderQueensnake Chapter 7: Small WatersRed-spotted NewtEastern Cricket FrogAmerican BullfrogGreen FrogMink FrogSnapping TurtlePainted TurtleBlanding's TurtleYellow-bellied SliderCommon Rainbow SnakeNorthern Watersnake Chapter 8: Big WatersEastern Hellbender Common MudpuppyEastern Spiny SoftshellWood TurtleNorthern Map TurtleNorthern Red-bellied CooterEastern Musk Turtle Chapter 9: Coastal PlainsNorthern Pinesnake Eastern Tiger SalamanderMany-lined SalamanderPine Barrens TreefrogGreen TreefrogSouthern Leopard FrogCarpenter FrogEastern Mud TurtleNorthern Diamond-backed TerrapinEastern Kingsnake Suggested ReferencesAppendicesAppendix A. Habitats utilized by species of frogsAppendix B. Habitats utilized by species of salamandersAppendix C. Habitats utilized by species of turtlesAppendix D. Habitats utilized by species of lizardsAppendix E. Habitats utilized by species of snakes Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe definitive resource for finding, identifying, and conserving Maryland's amphibians and reptiles. Naturalists, herpetologists, and ecologists alike agree that tracking herpetofauna is a challenging undertaking. Scientists are concerned about the decline of once-familiar species, but evidence has often been too anecdotal to support firm conclusions. To better understand the distribution of amphibians and reptiles in Maryland and forecast species' futures in a time of accelerated environmental threats, conducting a comprehensive statewide survey updating 1970s-era distribution maps seemed ideal. However, this endeavor was of an impossibly ambitious scope for scientists alone to tackle. Enter the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project, comprising nearly a thousand dedicated citizen scientists who discovered and recorded the locations of herpetofauna throughout every corner of Maryland. In The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas, Heather R. Cunningham and Nathan H. Nazdrowicz pTrade ReviewA meticulously detailed guide, with lush color photos.—Chesapeake Bay MagazineTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Acronyms and Abbreviations Part I. Introduction Overview of Amphibians and Reptiles in Maryland The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project Citizen Science and Herpetological Research Goals of the Atlas Organization of the Atlas Part II. History of Herpetofaunal Distributions in Maryland. Charles A. Davis Discovery Collections and Descriptions Organizing for Discovery and the Early Amphibian and Reptile Collections Limitations and Challenges of Assessing Historical Ranges: Where Were the Rattlesnakes? Early Geographic Lists More Efforts to Organize Efforts to Update the Distributional Survey Challenges and Practices for Gathering Distributional Data Additional Institutional Efforts That Document Amphibian and Reptile Distributions Rare Species Surveys Increasing Access to Herpetofaunal Information Part III. Maryland's EnvironmentPhysiographic Provinces Habitat Types Climate Land Use Part VI. Conservation of Maryland's Herpetofauna. Lynn M. Davidson and Glenn D. Therres Legislation, Regulation, and Monitoring Programs Protected Lands Part V. Designing and Implementing the Atlas Project Coordination Survey Methodology The Volunteer Network Data Collection Data Management Part VI. Results of the Atlas Project Overall Results County-Level Results Volunteer Results Data Verification Taxonomic Results Part VII. Species Accounts Amphibians Reptiles Appendixes A. Quadrangle and Block Total Species Summary B. Quadrangle and Block Effort-Hours Summary C. County Summary D. Species Summary References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is a rich resource of important information on coldwater fish farming and coldwater fisheries management, including new research and recent technological advances. It aims to provide an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of coldwater physiology of fishes, which is essential for effective fishery management and for taking advantage of their vast potential application in aquaculture.Coldwater Fisheries and Aquaculture Management: Technology for Sustainable Food Production elaborates on key aspects associated with reproductive biology and endocrinology of coldwater fishes, such as gonadal development and maturation, vitellogenesis, steroidogenesis, whole genome information of fishes, transcriptomics, proteomics, and more. It also looks at genetic modification of coldwater fishes, phytobiotic-based feed to attain profitability in aquaculture, and the nutritional requirements of coldwater fishes, such as plant-based proteins in fish diets and feeding carbohydrates to fish. It also describes the beneficial dietary nutrition of fish consumption by humans.Several chapters address the various challenges to coldwater fish and fishery management, such as fish bacterial diseases (along with their immune components and defense mechanisms), unpredictable nature of climate change on fish, water pollution, etc. The volume also offers strategies on the sustainable management of fish that include looking at pollution in freshwater ecosystems, biotechnological interventions, predicting threats to fish from climate change, and other factors.This volume will be of value to those in fishery management and fish science as well as to marine researchers, faculty and students, and other involved with aquaculture science and management.Trade Review“Brings together an informative compilation of different aspects of cold-water fisheries and aquaculture management technology for sustainable food production. . . . A comprehensive compilation.” —From the Foreword by S. Ayyappan, Former Secretary, DARE; Director General, ICAR Chairman, Karnataka Science and Technology Academy, Bangalore, Karnataka, India“Covers a wide range of important topics related to cold-water fish reproductive biology and endocrinology, including gonadal development and maturation, vitellogenesis, steroidogenesis, fish whole genome information, transcriptomics, proteomics, artificial intelligence, etc. . . . Of great use to readers of all types . . . . A thorough collection of top-notch chapters.” —From the Foreword by Pramod Kumar Pandey, Director, Anusandhan Bhawan, Industrial Area, Bhimtal, Uttrakhand, India"This book explores the world of coldwater aquaculture and fisheries management, with innovation and sustainability coming together to create a vision for the future of food supply. It investigates the novel approaches that will transform the food supply chain at the global level while protecting our priceless aquatic ecosystems. A must-read for anybody enthusiastic about the future of sustainable food! The book provides learning material on techniques for managing coldwater fisheries and aquaculture! It explores cutting-edge innovations in food supply that could revolutionize the sustainable food industry. This ground-breaking book will help readers realize the possibilities of coldwater fisheries and aquaculture management.” —Dr. Rayees Ahmad Bhat, Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, IndiaTable of Contents1. The Rainbow Trout Genome: A Significant Milestone for Aquaculture Development 2. Economics of Coldwater Fisheries 3. Nutritional Requirements of Coldwater Fishes 4. Bacterial Diseases of Finfish Prevalent in Coldwater Aquaculture 5. Biotechnological Interventions in Coldwater Aquaculture Health Management 6. Coldwater Fish Diversity: Issues and Sustainable Management in India 7. The Zebrafish: A Trending Model for T-Cell and Thymic Development along with Prevailing Challenges 8. Plant-Based Proteins in Fish Diets for Sustainable Coldwater Fisheries 9. Small-Scale Fisheries by Indigenous Fishing Methods 10. Reproductive Physiology and Breeding Biology of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) 11. Feeding Carbohydrates to Fish: Utilization and Looking Beyond Energy Nutrition 12. Application of Plant-Derived Natural Preservatives for Shelf-Life Extension of Fresh Water Fish 13. Perspective of eDNA Application to Control Pollution in Freshwater Ecosystems 14. Nutritional Composition of Coldwater Fishes 15. Genotoxicity in Fishes: With Special Reference to Micronucleus Formation in Hematocytes 16. Infectious Diseases of Coldwater Fishes: Focus on Viral and Fungal Infections 17. Nutrigenomics: Boost for Aquaculture Research and Development 18. Immune Components and Defense Mechanism in Fish: An Overview 19. Comprehensive Transcriptomics Analysis of Coldwater Fish 20. Predictable Threats to Coldwater Fisheries from the Unpredictable Nature of Climate Change: An Indian Perspective

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisZamudio, Cornell University.Trade ReviewVery well conceived! -- Martin Wikelski CopeiaTable of ContentsPrefaceList of ContributorsIntroduction: The Evolutionary Study of Social Behavior and the Role of Lizards as Model OrganismsPart I: Variation Among IndividualsIntroductionChapter 1. Intra- and Intersexual Variation in Social Behavior: Effects of Ontogeny, Phenotype, Resources, and Season.Chapter 2. Evolution and Maintenance of Social Status–Signaling Badges: Experimental Manipulations in Lizards.Chapter 3. Ecological and Social Contexts for the Evolution of Alternative Mating Strategies.Chapter 4. Social Behavior and Antipredatory Defense in Lizards.Part II: Variation Among PopulationsIntroductionChapter 5. Sexual Selection, Social Behavior, and the Environmental Potential for Polygyny.Chapter 6. Intraspecific Variation in Sexual Dimorphism and Mating System in Relation to Interisland Differences in Predation Pressure.Chapter 7. Island Biogeography of Morphology and Social Behavior in the Lava Lizards of the Galapagos Islands.Part III: Variation Among SpeciesIntroductionChapter 8. Endocrinology of Species Differences in Sexually Dichromatic Signals: Using the Organization and Activation Model in a Phylogenetic Framework.Chapter 9. The Interplay Among Environment, Social Behavior, and Morphology: Iguanid Mating Systems.Chapter 10. Social Behavior at High and Low Elevations: Environmental Release and Phylogenetic Effects in Liolaemus.Chapter 11. Sexual Dimorphism in Body Size and Shape in Relation to Habitat Use Among Species of Caribbean Anolis Lizards. Literature CitedIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisWasson, Stephen A. WattsTrade ReviewColor photographs and detailed black-and-white illustrations will aid the layperson looking for basic information, but the extensive references speak to this volume's research value. Library Journal If you want to get serious about starfish, this book is a must for you. -- David Burton International Zoo News Offers a comprehensive review of their biology and ecology. It perfectly integrates the research conducted during the past decades, updating the still-quoted synthesis of Hyman (1955), and complimenting the serial 'Echinoderm Studies' that was last published in 2001... It will be interesting to the widest audience, and is definitively an invitation to a compelling reading. -- Loic Villier Marine Biology Review This scholarly volume will be most useful to researchers on echinoderm biology and teachers of marine invertebrate biology... Recommended. Choice A valuable source of information on sea stars... Useful for all who deal with studies of sea stars. -- A.V. Kalachev & V.I. Kalinin Russian Journal of Marine Biology This book provides both very useful general knowledge on the class of Asteroidea and a very comprehensive understanding of the biology and the ecology of starfish through detailed properties of structure and function... [It] will be particularly useful for students and teachers, and is really welcome in our overspecialized world. -- Dominique Davoult Cahiers de Biologie MarineTable of ContentsContributorsPrefacePart I: Comparative Biology and EcologyChapter 1. Phylogeny of the AsteroideaChapter 2. The Asteroid ArmChapter 3. Functional Biology of Asteroid Tube FeetChapter 4. Reproduction in AsteroideaChapter 5. Asteroid Evolutionary Developmental Biology and EcologyChapter 6. Larval Ecology, Settlement, and Recruitment of AsteroidsChapter 7. Ecological Role of Sea Stars from Populations to Meta-ecosystemsChapter 8. Chemistry and Ecological Role of Starfish Secondary MetabolitesChapter 9. Steroids in AsteroideaPart II: Integrative BiologyChapter 10. AstropectenChapter 11. LuidiaChapter 12. Odontaster validusChapter 13. Acanthaster planciChapter 14. Oreaster reticulatusChapter 15. Heliaster helianthusChapter 16. Pisaster ochraceusChapter 17. Asterias amurensisChapter 18. Leptasterias polarisChapter 19. CoscinasteriasChapter 20. EchinasterReferencesIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe life cycles of fishes are complex and varied, and knowledge of the early life stages is important for understanding the biology, ecology, and evolution of fishes. This book offers guidance on how to collect and analyze larval fish data and on how this information is interpreted by applied fish biologists and fisheries managers.Trade Review"A must for any student of fish biology." -- Michael Stachowitsch Marine Ecology

Read more less

Book SynopsisThere are more than 33,000 species of living fishes, accounting for more than half of the extant vertebrate diversity on Earth. This comprehensive reference showcases the basic anatomy and diversity of all 82 orders of fishes and more than 150 of the most commonly encountered families, focusing on their distinctive features.Trade Review"Technical and accurate, this book will be an important reference for ichthyologists for many years to come." -- P. Chakrabarty CHOICE "This book is an excellent and exceptionally accessible part of the 'toolbox of taxonomists.'" -- David Feary Frontiers of Biogeography "An accessible, beautifully illustrated, and very reasonably priced guide ... Nothing quite like Fishes currently exists, and the authors are to be congratulated for producing it." -- Melanie L. J. Stiassny Systematic Biology "The authors have turned hundreds of surprisingly beautiful photographs of preserved fishes into an art form and have used them as the foundation for this very useful volume... this book should be on the desk or laboratory bench of every undergraduate and graduate student of ichthyology." The Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsComplete Contents Introduction Anatomy of Fishes THE FISHES: VERTEBRATA -- Vertebrates Agnatha (Cyclostomata) -- Jawless Fishes Gnathostomata -- Jawed Vertebrates Chondrichthyes -- Cartilaginous Fishes Osteichthyes -- Bony Fishes Sarcopterygii -- Lobe-finned Fishes Actinopterygii -- Ray-finned Fishes Actinopterygii I -- Lower Ray-finned Fishes Actinopterygii II: Acanthomorpha -- Spiny-rayed Fishes Glossary References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe ocean teems with life that thrives under difficult situations in unusual environments. This book takes readers to the absolute limits of the aquatic world - the fastest and deepest, the hottest and oldest creatures of the oceans.Trade ReviewOne of American Association for the Advancement of Science's Books for General Audiences and Young Adults 2014 "This gem of a book by marine biologist Stephen Palumbi and his son, science writer Anthony Palumbi, finds enough weirdness in the ocean to feed creativity for generations to come... The Palumbis' writing is a wonderful mix of meticulous science and creative panache... A joy whether read at one sitting, or dipped in and out of to prolong the pleasure."--Callum Roberts, Nature "Marine biologist Stephen R. Palumbi and writer Anthony R. Palumbi survey an impressive catch of extreme oceanic species, from the oldest to the deepest-dwelling... A brilliant use of the rich store of research into Earth's largest habitat."--Nature "From 'immortal' jellyfish that age in reverse, to zombie bone worms that eat the skeletons of dead whales, the ocean is full of bizarre characters. Biologist Stephen Palumbi and his science writer son, Anthony, profile the most unusual specimens. Chapters cover the smallest, the oldest, the hottest and the coldest species, among others, and the landscape of strange creatures is brought to life by charming writing."--Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American "The Palumbis probe life in the depths of the oceans and in tide waters in successive chapters spotlighting the long-lived Bowhead whale; sea species that adapt to extremely high temperatures and others to cold; clownfish, which change gender, becoming male or female as circumstances dictate; and much more. The authors end with a warning that the oceans contain a complex ecology in which each species 'thrives in its easily disrupted specialized niche.'... A sparkling appreciation of the wonderful variety of marine life that also communicates an important message."--Kirkus Reviews "The book reads like an action-adventure novel... This approach is a pleasant departure from dull textbook prose. It will delight readers who lack scientific credentials but yearn to understand the diversity of life in the oceans. The text demystifies, mystifies, and amazes."--Geraldine Richards, ForeWord Reviews "Highlighting the strangest cases in animate sea life, marine ecologist S.R. Palumbi exudes a palpable and contagious sense of delight as he enlists his writer son's help to fill the 'gap in character development' in the story of the ocean's robust yet fragile ecosystems... By showing how each creature is so tightly tied to its environment, the authors are able to effectively demonstrate how small human-driven changes to the oceans disrupt a complex system developed over millions of years. The Palumbis encourage a childlike curiosity by showing us the amazing diversity of life down below, and perhaps our inner children will pester our grownup selves into doing what needs to be done to keep these habitats intact."--Publishers Weekly "A giddy scientific tour of weird underwater life."--Richard Conniff, TakePart "The Palumbis give us the sense that although some parts of nature are more romantically wondrous than others--those sponges, giant squids doing epic battle with sperm whales--it is the variety that is wonderful."--Owen Richardson, Sydney Morning Herald "The whole safari is conducted with a verve and joy that only comes from a deep love of the subject, a life-long dedication to its exploration and a true communicator's sense of the mot juste. This experience and range means the Palumbis can write comfortably about research and researchers, and about the physical and mental exploration of the ocean's ecology... [A] splendid book ... a dynamic text."--Adrian Barnett, New Scientist "Stephen and Anthony Palumbi--father and son; biologist and science writer--are brilliant guides to this realm about which we as a species have been remarkably incurious... The Palumbis pere et fils give us the new stories in succinct prose beautifully freighted with apt similes and metaphors."--Peter Forbes, Independent "The Extreme Life of the Sea is less narrative and more an enthusiastic sharing of cool things in the sea, which are loosely tied together in thematic sections. It is not, however, just a collection of 'gee whiz' facts. The compelling vignettes help to convey broader concepts of science and nature with excitement and enthusiasm... It reminds us that science and the natural world are really cool."--Josh Witten, Finch and the Pea "Highlighting the strangest cases of marine life, the authors give us a hint of the ocean's robust yet fragile ecosystems... In their delightful, vivid description about the struggle for existence in the sea, the Palumbis do manage to communicate a vital message: even the extreme conditions in the deep sea are not immune from disruptive and destructive human greed."--Wan Lixin, Shanghai Daily "Who doesn't like reading about the fantastical creatures that stalk the inky depths of the world's oceans? In The Extreme Life of the Sea, it's the marine environment's superlatives that are on display."--Scientist Magazine "The uniqueness of this book is due to the combination of a novel's flair utilizing figurative language and analogies with scientific concepts... The authors seek to help us understand the value, complexity, and vastness of the ocean and the importance of consequences of their actions. I think that this would be an excellent book in a seminar for high school students and biology majors in college."--Jean Worsley, NSTA Recommends "[The Palumbis] have written about some of the most alien creatures you will ever encounter, and for many of them it is far more pleasant to encounter them on these pages than in real life. Yet as strange as they are, many of them are vital to keeping the oceans in balance, or as indicators of oceans out of balance, and so we ought to know them better. Brightly written, with footnotes but without ponderousness, the Palumbis' book succeeds in inspiring what they say they in their preface that they set out to produce: 'a sense of guiltless wonder about how wonderful the ocean's life actually is.'"--Rob Hardy, Columbus Dispatch "[A] stimulating and enjoyable read."--Diver Magazine "Steve Palumbi has got a gift for summarizing complicated issues related to his field, making them both relatable and entertaining... The Extreme Life of the Sea plunges readers into the world of 'the fastest and deepest, the hottest and oldest creatures of the oceans.'... At the heart of the book, though, the Palumbis stress how marine creatures have managed to adapt and thrive in some of the most punishing environments imaginable. Obviously, there's plenty we can learn from them."--Crystal Chow, San Jose Mercury News "Extremophiles are fun! Basically, they're the biggest, smallest, hardiest and definitely the oddest bunch of beasties to be found anywhere on this planet. The Palumbi father and son team--one scientist and one writer--bring us this fun little book on the extremophiles of the sea... The best part of the book is that the authors do more than just recite oddball trivia, they really tell the stories of the animals in the book... This is a solid book, very informative and very entertaining but with a strong message."--John Dupuis, Confessions of a Science Librarian "This engaging book eloquently captures the long history and immense variety of life in the world's oceans, and provides a glimpse into what makes the seas so special... Better than science fiction, this book is filled with amazing stories about amazing creatures... Sweetly enthusiastic, enlightening and witty and, at times, inspired... Regardless of your level of knowledge, this quietly joyful and informative book has something of value for everyone."--GrrlScientist "Drawing on decades of scientific research as well as a knack for storytelling, the authors convey what happens at the ocean depths without sugarcoating it... It doesn't just shed light on some of the most mysterious workings of the sea; it does so with vivid prose while managing to convey scientists' current understanding of how and why these phenomena operate. If that doesn't make people more invested in preserving the ocean, it's hard to know what will."--Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post "A rare hybrid: a funny and easy-to-read book full of accurate science."--Susan Scott, Honolulu Star-Advertiser "Marine biologists as well as lay readers with more than a casual interest in marine science will find this an engrossing discussion of what lies beneath the waters, how it's adapted, and threats to this adaptation process."--James A. Cox, California Bookwatch "Extensive notes and an index round out this fascinating account, enthusiastically recommended for public and college library collections alike."--James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review "Simply a tour de force, a splendid must read for any natural history enthusiast."--Gabriel Thoumi, Mongabay.com "This book about sea creatures is perfect for the curious person with limited time for reading... [T]he authors investigate all sorts of oddities, including whale falls, the bizarre sex life of angler fish, and the amazing aerodynamic design of humpback whale fins. They have conducted research in all sorts of odd corners of marine science and are wonderfully up-to-date, and end their text the necessary final chapter on how humans might be affecting all this diversity."--Choice "While packed with scientific information, this book is an easy read. The average chapter is just over ten pages long, and each is divided into clearly labeled subsections. It is fairly generously illustrated and written in a light, conversational style--as seen by the references to Volkswagen Beetles and the population of India. These characteristics make this an easy book to dip into, but once you get started, you'll probably want to immerse yourself."--Tom Baker, Japan News "The chapters are informative and interesting and altogether well written."--Tom Fenchel, Marine Biology Research "Every page of this wonderful book is filled with nuggets of information. It becomes quite clear that we all must strive to protect this vast pool of life that enables our own lives to continue."--Explorers Journal "One of the most informative books I've ever read."--Al Ristori, Newark Star-Ledger "Only the strong survive, it is said, but The Extreme Life of the Sea makes a good case for the strange, the efficient, and the ugly... [A]n engaging blend. Stanford professor Stephen serves up the heavier science of DNA and physiology, seasoned with a sprightly narrative, some scene-setting and humor from novelist Anthony. Extreme Life uses Guinness Record-like chapters to discuss the smallest, the deepest, the shallowest and the coldest marine life-forms."--Melissa Davis, Seattle Times "[B]eautifully descriptive and refreshingly free of technical terms. Here is a book that will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the biology of the seas, whatever their level of scientific education."--Anthony O'Toole, Sherkin Comment "This is a scientifically rich book that is also a good read and would be appropriate for a wide range of audiences."--AAAS "[W]ell worth purchasing... [The Extreme Life of the Sea] is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the seas and their creatures from the earliest ages to the present."--Al Ristori, Newark Star-LedgerTable of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments: Guiltless Wonder vii Prologue The Epic Ocean 1 1 The Earliest 5 2 The Most Archaic 19 3 The Smallest 36 4 The Deepest 46 5 The Shallowest 65 6 The Oldest 81 7 The Fastest Sprints and Longest Journeys 94 8 The Hottest 112 9 The Coldest 125 10 The Strangest Family Lives 141 11 Future Extremes 158 Epilogue: A Grand Bargain 175 Notes 179 Index 209 Color figures follow page 84.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGeorgie Codd is scared of fish. Really, really scared.She has spent her life beside the water, but won''t so much as paddle in it. Even on dry land there''s no escape: Georgie sees sharks in the dining room, squid tentacles in the street, has nightmares of being stranded at sea. She decides that the answer to overcoming this fear lies in travelling to Thailand, learning to dive and swimming with the biggest fish in the world: the massive, mighty whale shark. Could this immersive therapy actually work? There''s only one way to find out. Georgie quits her job, leaves her life behind and plunges into a realm of strange creatures, hidden depths and intrepid diving adventurers. But as her quest expands across the oceans, her shark remains elusive and everything else starts to fall apart around her.For readers of The Outrun and The Salt Path, We Swim to the Shark is a meditation on diving, grief and what it tTrade Reviewan almost spiritual mission . . . sharply drawn * Times Literary Supplement *smart nature-narrative writing, and hugely enjoyable * Outdoor Swimming Society *Subtle insight into the inner psyche and the natural world * Hackney Citizen *We Swim to the Shark is a lesson in not giving up, demonstrating that, as with all good adventure stories, the real benefit is in the searching * The i *A terrific read * BBC Radio Norfolk *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less