Reef Life by Denise Nielsen Tackett, Larry Tackett NEW

Description: Reef Life: Natural History and Behaviors of Marine Fishes and Invertebrates By Denise Nielsen Tackett and Larry Tackett (TFH Publications-Microcosm. One TFH Plaza, Neptune City, NJ 07753. ) The volume contains 224 pages, illustrated with excellent color underwater photographs. There is a useful glossary, a valuable bibliography and an index. Underwater photographer/journalists Denise and Larry Tackett have put their extensive diving experience in the beautiful and diverse reefs and lagoons of Indonesia, Beau, New Guinea, the Maldives and Seychelles for more than 10 years, to create a book that fills a vacuum in the literature of importance to marine aquarists. We have a number of fine works on the creation and maintenance of closed reef systems and associated organisms and there are very informative, highly technical academic volumes on marine biology, but there is little in the way of an accessible intermediate-level treatment of the biology of reef organism presented in a visually appealing way. This volume is an important step toward filling that gap. Reef Life opens with a forward by Ron Shimek, "Looking Closer," in which he states "If the authors succeed in simplifying marine biology concepts and basic terminology for more divers and aquarists, they will have done a yeoman's service to all of us who care about the future of these threatened environments.... Full of beautiful and uncommon organisms and important-to-know-behaviors, Reef Life is an obvious labor of love and a highly commendable primer on reef life." The authors have succeeded in this undertaking. An example of the way in which they proceed to present not only striking underwater photos, but detailed information as well, the beautiful page-and-a-half photograph of fishes under a tabletop Acropora on pages 10 and 11 is reproduced in miniature on page 12, this time with each organism numbered and referenced with their common and scientific names. This useful technique of "looking closer" to dissect a complex photograph is used throughout the book to excellent effect, and adds greatly to its educational value. The forward is followed by a prologue on "Reef Exploration" in which the authors chronicle their diving experiences, from their initial work collecting sponges for research on anti-viral and anti-cancer agents derived from those organisms' defensive chemical arsenal, to the photojournalism that currently occupies them. Underwater photographers will appreciate the details on equipment and technique the authors provide in this section. Chapter 1 presents the basics of "Reef Origins." The geography of reef distribution, the oceanographic parameters required for reef formation, reef types, reef zonation, and the ecological niches or realms of reefs, are covered, along with discussions of species diversity, competition and the role of reef building scleractinians. As is the general strategy throughout the book's chapters, each section is heavily illustrated, with many of the large-scale photos also duplicated in labeled and notated form, and with good diagrams and drawings used where appropriate. Chapter 2, "Reef Dwellers," concentrates on the reef's biomes and the great diversity of reef organisms, from plankton through mammalia. In the chapter's "Webs of biodiversity" section, the authors review the taxonomy of coral reef life and provide 20 pages of outstanding photographic images of many genera exemplifying major taxonomic divisions, with accompanying descriptive text. Chapter 3 discusses "Near-Reef Habitats" and the associated organisms of the sandy bottoms, mangroves, sea grass beds and lagoons and estuaries, as well as the pelagic community. Chapter 4, "Living Together," discusses the fascinating subjects of symbiosis and other "coordinated reef survival strategies" such as mutualism and commensalism, as well as parasitism. It also includes discussions of social behaviors like shoaling and chemical cues to "settling out." Chapter 5 focuses on "Feeding Time." The authors present the biological concept of "feeding guild" to analyze types of food resources utilized and describe the subsets of animals and styles within the primary guilds. Predation adaptations and techniques and their relationship to food sources, and nutrient cycling are covered, with the discussions aided by illustrative photos. Chapter 5, on "Protection and Defense," and chapter 6 titled "Masquerade," which covers mimicry and camouflage are next, each with outstanding photographic examples. Although the concepts may be familiar, the extraordinary illustrations, especially the 22 pages of pictures of examples of mimicry are a tour de force. The final chapter in the main section of the book, Chapter 7, "Reproduction," deals with the procreative behaviors and strategies of reef and near-reef dwellers. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Payment Policy: Only PayPal is accepted and we will only ship to your verified PayPal address. Please pay within 5 days of purchasing of item. If you cannot make the payment within that period, please email us and let us know. Shipping Policy: PayPal Confirmed Addresses Only. 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Price: 12.4 USD

Location: Arcata, California

End Time: 2025-01-17T23:58:00.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.25 USD