Indo Pacific Corals Identified And Illustrated

This 800-page tome is an exhaustive introductory guide to the shallow-water corals found in the tropical Indo-Pacific, covering nearly every genus of stony coral, soft coral, black coral, corallimorph, sea anemone, zoantharian, and hydroid. The discussion is aimed for a general audience and includes up-to-date taxonomy, along with ~4000 photos that help to illustrate the enormous diversity of this group. This is a must-have reference for any serious diver, aquarist, or researcher interested in this region's coral fauna.

Over 2,100 species are illustrated in all their major forms: male, female, immature or geographical varieties. The test covers the important identification points, where the species is likely to be found on a reef and where it is found in the world, with an introduction to the habitat and how to identify fish in the wild. Important identification characteristics are also highlighted on every plate. This is the first book that enables divers and snorkellers to identify the inhabitants of coral reefs - wherever they are in the world.

The first reference of its kind, this book represents good biology, well-founded systematics, accessible biogeography, geological history of corals, and one of the finest collections of coral photographs to be found anywhere. Hailed as the single most important reference on reef corals, this book is useful in describing corals in all areas of Oceania and Southeast Asia. It provides a means of identifying almost 1,000 species of coral, a reliable nomenclature, up-to-date information on distribution and abundance, and authoritative notes on structure and biology.

Scientific field guide is profusely illustrated with colour photos. for divers, aquarists, biologists; includes ecological interactions and scientific data.