Marine Algae Of The Northern Gulf Of California

Few places in the world can claim such a diversity of species as the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), with its 6,000 recorded animal species estimated to be half the number actually living in its waters. So rich are the Gulf's water that over a half-million tons of seafood are taken from them annually—and this figure does not count the wasted by-catch, which would triple or quadruple that tonnage. This timely book provides a benchmark for understanding the Gulf's extraordinary diversity, how it is threatened, and in what ways it is—or should be—protected. In spite of its dazzling richness, most of the Gulf's coastline now harbors but a pale shadow of the diversity that existed just a half-century ago. Recommendations based on sound, careful science must guide Mexico in moving forward to protect the Gulf of California. This edited volume contains contributions by twenty-four Gulf of California experts, from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. From the origins of the Gulf to its physical and chemical characteristics, from urgently needed conservation alternatives for fisheries and the entire Gulf ecosystem to information about its invertebrates, fishes, cetaceans, and sea turtles, this thought-provoking book provides new insights and clear paths to achieve sustainable use solidly based on robust science. The interdisciplinary, international cooperation involved in creating this much-needed collection provides a model for achieving success in answering critically important questions about a precious but rapidly disappearing ecological treasure.

This is a complete, systematic treatment of the marine algae (seaweeds) flora of California. The 726 species treated are each illustrated by a detailed line drawing made from an actual specimen. The two authors have drawn upon their phycological research to offer a definitive representation of benthic marine algae from the Californian coast. The floristic treatment in this first paperback edition should aid accurate and speedy identification of flora due to the improved keys, descriptions, illustrations and more detailed coverage of taxa, and should enhance the reader's knowledge of Californian macro-algae.

Few places in the world can claim such a diversity of species as the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), with its 6,000 recorded animal species estimated to be half the number actually living in its waters. So rich are the Gulf's water that over a half-million tons of seafood are taken from them annuallyÑand this figure does not count the wasted by-catch, which would triple or quadruple that tonnage. This timely book provides a benchmark for understanding the Gulf's extraordinary diversity, how it is threatened, and in what ways it isÑor should beÑprotected. In spite of its dazzling richness, most of the Gulf's coastline now harbors but a pale shadow of the diversity that existed just a half-century ago. Recommendations based on sound, careful science must guide Mexico in moving forward to protect the Gulf of California. This edited volume contains contributions by twenty-four Gulf of California experts, from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. From the origins of the Gulf to its physical and chemical characteristics, from urgently needed conservation alternatives for fisheries and the entire Gulf ecosystem to information about its invertebrates, fishes, cetaceans, and sea turtles, this thought-provoking book provides new insights and clear paths to achieve sustainable use solidly based on robust science. The interdisciplinary, international cooperation involved in creating this much-needed collection provides a model for achieving success in answering critically important questions about a precious but rapidly disappearing ecological treasure.

The present treatment constitutes a taxonomic study of the benthic marine red algae known in the northern Gulf of California. In all, 380 species of Rhodophyta belonging to two subphyla were found: the Rhodophytina represented by 2 classes, 2 orders, 2 families, 7 genera, and 14 species; and, the Eurhodophytina represented by 2 classes, 5 subclasses, 19 orders, 45 families, 132 genera, and 366 species. Of the red algae 67 are endemic species. Along with the 133 species of Chlorophyta and Phaeophyceae in the northern Gulf (Norris 2010) there are now 512 benthic marine macroalgal species known in the northern Gulf. The systematic account includes the accepted taxon name, descriptions of the subphyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species of red algae presently known in the northern Gulf, with Keys to serve as a guide to their identification. Along with the current name for each species are its basionym, synonyms, type locality, relevant taxonomic studies, description, habitat, and distribution in the Gulf of California, and if applicable (i.e., not endemic) in the Eastern Pacific, Central Pacific, and/or Western Pacific. In addition to reviewing the taxonomic phycological literature pertinent to the Gulf of California and Pacific Mexico, several distribution extensions and new records are given. One new genus, one new subgeneric section, and eight new species are described. One new species name is given to replace an illegitimate name. Twenty-seven new combinations are made.

This book contains the proceedings of the 18th International Seaweed Symposium, which provides an invaluable reference to a wide range of fields in applied phycology. The papers featured in this volume cover topics as diverse as systematics, ecology, commercial applications, carbohydrate chemistry and applications, harvesting biology, cultivation and more. It offers a benchmark of progress in all fields of applied seaweed science and management.