Fishes of the World

Book Description

"Of all the literature I use while preparing field guides for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Nelson's Fishes of the World is, by far, the one I refer to most often. [This] book is a standard reference . . . I continue to use it extensively in the ichthyology courses I teach, particularly in laboratory sessions."
-Kent E. Carpenter Old Dominion University

"Fishes of the World is a unique and essential resource for anyone seriously interested in the diversity and evolution of fishes. The family accounts provide quick summaries of current knowledge on all groups of living fishes and many key fossil taxa. It is a required work for every student in my laboratory."
-William E. Bemis Kingsbury Director of Shoals Marine Laboratory, Cornell University

"Only classics are known by the single name of their author, and certainly [Nelson's book] has for four editions been such a book for all those who seek an accessible, up-to-date, readable reference on fish classification. Once again, Nelson presents a balanced view of the sometimes tumultuous, but ever-exciting, study of the phylogenetic relationships and classification of fishes. In doing so, Nelson makes an excellent case for organismal biology, highlighting the many and varied morphological characters we use to diagnose fish taxa and differentiate among the 515 families of living species."
-Lynne R. Parenti Curator of Fishes and Research Scientist, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

Fishes of the World, Fourth Edition is the updated edition of a true classic in the field. A unique presentation of a modern, cladistically based classification of all the major living and fossil fish groups, this indispensable reference helps scientists and others identify and classify specimens, make familial connections, understand the evolution of fishes, and springboard into further research.

The taxonomy of fishes presented includes the anatomical characteristics, distribution, common and scientific names, and phylogenetic relationships for all 515 families of living fishes. Packed with representative species drawings and information on phylogentic relationships, this informative Fourth Edition features:
* Both fossil and extant species
* More than 500 illustrations
* Fully vetted scientific and common names
* An extensive bibliography

Customer Reviews:

Very Good Book.......2007-10-03

Very good book. It came very fast too...
I was really after it for my work....
It is considered reference for all ichthyologists.
My favorite!

Definitive resource in fish systematics.......2007-09-08

I just received and looked over the Fourth Edition of Nelson's book. It is the most widely-accepted resource for fish classification. Specific points in the classification, as Nelson acknowledges, are subjects of debate and research. Nelson himself seems to take the classical approach of emphasizing morphological (as opposed to molecular) traits in his classification. However, the collection and organization of up-to-date references on the various fish groups in this book is without parallel and this makes the book hugely valuable. Two reasons in addition to cost for the use of drawing as opposed to photos to picture the fishes in this book are economy of space, and ability to convey fossil fishes in a similar manner to existing species. I'm glad that I bought it!

THE world reference for a classification of fishes.......2006-04-20

This is the fourth, long awaited, edition of Fishes of the World.
Since the 2nd edition, it is THE reference for a STABLE PRACTICAL classification of all fishes of the world.
The work done by J. Nelson in the background is enormous, because for each node of the hierarchy are discussed and referenced the concurrent alternatives recently published, and is explained the choice made between them (so that one can appreciate the diversity of opinions, and the work remaining to be done).
Apart from the price that we can always find too expensive (and I am quite sure that he does not pay the author's efforts), the reviews of the previous edition missed 3 points:
- The book does not claim to give an overview of the biology and ecology of fishes, nor to give thorough illustrations of the diversity of fishes. The outlines are extremely useful to memorise the global shape of families and subfamilies. Ok, the 4th edition could have been complete in this area ...
- The book provides a management classification that is close enough of the last validated advances of research. Saying that it is not uptodate is a clear misunderstanding of what this book is useful for. In particular, it does not endorse the last published phylogeny (and by the way, a phylogeny is not a classification) if work clearly still needs to be done to establish and disseminate a new view: it tries to point out the most evidenced status of the classification, but presenting the alternatives: the people in need of one reliable classification can use it as such, the people closer to the edge of research can go further and use the information from the references given.
- I don't know any book in mammals, birds, snakes, lezards, turtles, amphibians that synthesizes the same amount of REFERENCED information, where there are altogether less species involved than in fishes! But sure, many of them have beautiful images ...
Thanks Joe.

worst drawings ever.......2003-01-22

For a book in this price range, we all want more. I have been doing fish illustrations in Environmental Biology of Fishes and some other journals. Dr. Nelson, you should contact me, we need to talk!!

Great book, shame about the price........2002-04-24

Comprehensive coverage makes this a great first reference. Most listings cite further in depth references. Published in 1994 it is probably due to be updated. The worst aspect of this book is the price. Get your library to buy it.

Average customer rating:

A terrific reference ofor learning more about phytoplankton and seaweeds
Good reference book and learning tool

Algae
Linda E. Graham , and Lee W. Wilcox
Manufacturer: Benjamin Cummings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0136603335

Book Description

Current, comprehensive, and readily accessible to all readers regardless of their knowledge on the subject, this information-packed resource on freshwater, marine, and terrestrial algae forms focuses on what people really want to know about algae—why they are so diverse; how they are related; how to distinguish the major types; their roles in food webs, global biogeochemical cycling; the formation of harmful algae bloom; and how we utilize them. Provides a stimulating overview of the importance of algae. Covers biotic associations involving algae, with discussions on herbivory interactions, algal food quality, symbioses, pathogeneic interactions, and more. Considers the economic, ecological, and biotechnological applications of algae, and provides complete coverage on algal biodiversity, classification systems, molecular phylogenetics, and application of molecular information to ecological problems. Offers a detailed study on endosymbiosis. and includes intensive, stand-alone chapters on cryptomonads, dinoflagellates, ochrophytes, red algae, green algae, and phytoplankton ecology. Covers new analytical techniques (i.e. molecular phylogenetics, DNA-based approaches to the study of life cycles, and fluorescence methods for the study for photosynthesis); integrates many interesting boxed essays; and enhances material with numerous photos and illustrations. For researchers and professionals in the fields of aquatic ecology and technological application of algae.

Customer Reviews:

A terrific reference ofor learning more about phytoplankton and seaweeds.......2006-12-29

This outstanding textbook on "algae" provides a solid reference for learning more about the diverse photosynthetic forms that occur in aquatic habitats. Graham and Wilcox summarize a diverse range of topics for the major Divisions, including taxonomy, cell structure, biology, reproduction, life history, and ecology. It has an excellent section on coccolithophorids, including the steps in coccolith formation. It also includes practical uses of algae and chapters devoted to phytoplankton and seaweed ecology. The lack of color photographs may be attributed to the inclusion of numerous images taken with electron microscopes (the only way to "see" most microalgae) and probably to the fact that this book is not intended to be a field guide. However, it makes a perfect complement for learning more about and understanding phytoplankton and seaweeds that you may identify under a microscope or in the field using any of the widely available field guides.

Good reference book and learning tool.......2000-09-27

I haven't found many good books on algae that have come out in the past few years. This book is a great one with lots of information and pictures. It would be better if some of the pictures were in color, instead of all of them being in black and white. Some algae are indentified by color so color pictures would be helpful. It has really good information on diatoms also which is nice.

Sensory Processing in Aquatic Environments

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Sensory Processing in Aquatic Environments

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0387955275

Book Description

Research on sensory processing or the way animals see, hear, smell, taste, feel and electrically and magnetically sense their environment has advanced a great deal over the last fifteen years. This book discusses the most important themes that have emerged from recent research and provides a summary of likely future directions. The book starts with two sections on the detection of sensory signals over long and short ranges by aquatic animals, covering the topics of navigation, communication, and finding food and other localized sources. The next section, the co-evolution of signal and sense, deals with how animals decide whether the source is prey, predator or mate by utilizing receptors that have evolved to take full advantage of the acoustical properties of the signal. Organisms living in the deep-sea environment have also received a lot of recent attention, so the next section deals with visual adaptations to limited light environments where sunlight is replaced by bioluminescence and the visual system has undergone changes to optimize light capture and sensitivity. The last section on central co-ordination of sensory systems covers how signals are processed and filtered for use by the animal. This book will be essential reading for all researchers and graduate students interested in sensory systems.

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Fish Nutrition

Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0123196523

Book Description

This third edition of Fish Nutrition is a comprehensive treatise on nutrient requirements and metabolism in major species of fish used in aquaculture or scientific experiments. It covers nutrients required and used in cold water, warm water, fresh water, and marine species for growth and reproduction. It also highlights basic physiology and biochemistry of the nutrients and applications of these principles to scientific and practical diet formulations and to manufacturing techniques for major species used worldwide in aquaculture.

*Nutrient requirements for dietary formulations for fish farming
*Digestive physiology
*Comparative nutritional requirements of different species
*Fish as unique animals for certain metabolic pathways

Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Encyclopedia of Invertebrates, Seaweeds And Selected Fishes

Average customer rating:

Amazing production
hard to top...
Wonderful Resource
An impressively thorough collection of the majestic ocean life associated with the Pacific Northwest
Amazing and well worth it!!!

Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Encyclopedia of Invertebrates, Seaweeds And Selected Fishes
Andy Lamb
Manufacturer: Harbour Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1550173618

Book Description

With 1,700 superb colour photographs of over 1,400 species, Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Encyclopedia of Invertebrates, Seaweeds and Selected Fishes is the most comprehensive collection of photographs of Pacific Northwest marine life ever published. It is designed to allow the reader to recognize virtually any coastal organism that might be encountered from southern Alaska to southern Oregon--from sea lettuces and feather boa kelp through to the leopard ribbon worm, Pacific red octopus, spiny-thigh sea spider and gutless awning-clam. Each species is identified with photographs and includes a description with information on range, habitat, appearance and behaviour.
Andy Lamb and Bernard Hanby have spent most of their lifetimes studying and recording Pacific Northwest marine life and have completed over 4,000 scuba dives between them. Some of the species included in this volume have never been featured in print before. Colour-coded for quick reference and including a glossary and full index, Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest is a must-have for serious biologists, scuba divers, beachcombers or anyone interested in marine life and beautiful underwater photography.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing production.......2007-09-19

This book is one of the most amazing publishing accomplishments I have seen. The authors and their friends have accumulated 1700 superb photographs of marine life, especially the tiny and obscure invertebrates that almost no one has even seen or suspected, let alone photographed. (Where else are you going to find photos of neon sea-fleas and parasitic copepods in the wild?) Many of the animals herein are not even described scientifically. I studied fisheries development for years and thought I knew something about marine life, but I never knew there were so many worms and snails and tunicates out there, let alone did I ever see them or photos of them. Everyone interested in nature or biology should have this book, or at least look at it, just to see what amazing things there are in the world. It is of interest far beyond the narrow confines of Northwest Coast shores.

hard to top..........2007-06-30

so I'm no expert on marine life, but I'm very interested in the subject. I got this book and had high expectations that were more than met. The photography is excellent, the organization is excellent, and the contents extensive. I really like how they tell you both the common and the scientific names, and how they have some short descriptions of behaviors or charactoristics. I actually got it for my boyfriend because he wants to study to be a marine biologist and i saw the other reviews by people who were in related fields, and they made it sound like a book that would be useful even to an expert but not only useful to an expert. And it is. He loves the book (says its one of the best gifts he has ever gotten) and was very impressed by the quality of the contents, he uses it all the time. Bottom line the book is awesome i would reccommend it to ANYONE who loves ocean life.

Wonderful Resource.......2007-06-27

This book is a blessing for us tidepool/beach explorers in the Pacific Northwest because of its wonderful, clear photographs. It saves us many hours of tedious and frustrating puzzling over technical jargon trying to figure out the identity of whatever amazing creature has captured our hearts. The volunteers at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington have already practically worn out their first copy from looking up critters and plants that show up in the tanks via the flow-through seawater system. Many mysteries have been solved, and many fascinating tidbits of natural history gleaned to share with the visitors to the exhibits. Books like this will open the eyes of a society blind to our own environment, like the Peterson guides did a couple generations ago.
All praises and cliches apply: "a picture is worth a thousand words", "greatly needed and long over-do"... Consider this a definite rave review for a timely book. Now all we need is a waterproof edition!

An impressively thorough collection of the majestic ocean life associated with the Pacific Northwest.......2006-07-10

Enhanced with 1,700 superb color photographs, Marine Life Of The Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Encyclopedia Of Invertebrates, Seaweeds And Selected Fishes by Andy Lamb (Marine naturalist and educator) features the photography from Bernard P. Hanby (recipient of the Vancouver Natural History Society's 2003 Davidson Award for Conservation) and is an impressively thorough collection of the majestic ocean life associated with the Pacific Northwest. Featuring a "user friendly" and alphabetically organized listing of diverse fish, seaweed and invertebrate aquatic life, Marine Life Of The Pacific Northwest offers a comprehensive compendium of more than 1,400 saltwater plants and animals, and includes a quick reference usability with guide, maps, glossary, index, and color-coded pages for easy information access and identification, as well as entries that include the common name, scientific name, size, range, depth, description, picture, description and comments, and more. A core reference work for professional and academic library reference collections, Marine Life Of The Pacific Northwest is very strongly recommended for all marine-savvy explorers of the Pacific Northwest area.

Amazing and well worth it!!!.......2006-03-09

I work for a West Coast marine lab and I purchased this both for my work and for my own enjoyment. Twenty years in the making, there is nothing close to this in terms of illustrated guides for the region. Being that I work in the lesser known of the invertebrates, I was glad to see that the minor phyla are paid just as much attention to as the more common ones. I showed my copy around the lab, which led at least four more copies to be purchased. Upon opening the cover and flipping to any page, the first-time reader is speechless at the quality of the photos and the overall organization of the work. Yes, reference books like these are a bit more expensive than the everyday field guide, but this has so much more: Common name, scientific name (and limited synonymy), distribution, special remarks on each species... Very recommended!

Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas

Average customer rating:

Impressive book.
Fish ID "Bible"
Caribbean Fish
Wonderful guide!
Best Fish Book I Have Found

Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas
Paul Humann
Manufacturer: New World Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1878348078

Book Description

825 classic marine life photographs of 600 common and rare reef fish species. The easy-to-use, quick reference format makes it a snap to identify the myriad of fishes in Florida, Caribbean and Bahamas waters. A must for every serious diver. 6 inch x 9 inch, cloth stitched flexibinding that allows the book to lie flat.

Customer Reviews:

Impressive book........2007-10-05

As book reader and Diver, I just love this book, It gives me all the pictures and characteristics for an accurate evaluation of the creatures I found under water. Great pictures, and outstanding charcterization of fishes.

Fish ID "Bible".......2007-08-31

At one time I was the head of a volunteer organization in WPB, Florida that assisted Palm Beach County with their artifical reef program. Part of the qualification was to get training in a variety of related subjects (like fish identification) sponsored by the Florida Oceanographic Society. This book served as our fish identification "bible." I no longer live in FL, but when I go diving in the Caribbean I stil take this book with me. If you need to (or just want to) know the fish of the Caribbean, buy this book.

Caribbean Fish.......2007-07-20

This is a fabulous resource, and I wish we had bought it before to take with us on our trip to BVI

Wonderful guide!.......2007-07-19

I bought this item for my trip to the Caribbean. I'm a marine biologist by training, and I loved this book because it gave information above and beyond just identification. It also tells you how likely it was that the fish you saw was the one pictured in the book. Then there are lists of all the species in the back, with space for you to record when and where you saw it. I had so much fun combing this book after snorkeling to identify all the organisms I had seen! What a great investment!

Best Fish Book I Have Found.......2007-07-13

This book is a must buy for any diver who has moved beyond the "Oooh look at the pretty fishes" stage. If you want to know what you are looking at, use this book. It is an excellent companion to PADI's AWARE Fish Identification Specialty, and makes it easy to look up fish when you surface.

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Marine and Freshwater Products Handbook

Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1566768896

Book Description

This definitive reference is the most comprehensive handbook of information ever assembled on foods and other products from fresh and marine waters. Marine and Freshwater Products Handbook covers the acquisition, handling, biology, and the science and technology of the preservation and processing of fishery and marine products. The array of topics covered includes: aquaculture fisheries management, and harvesting; fish meal and fish oil; fish protein concentrates; seaweed products; products from shell; other industrial products; bioactive compounds; cookery; specialty products; surimi and mince; HACCP; modern processing methods; religious and cultural aspects of water products; marine toxins and seafood intolerances; contamination in shellfish growing areas; pathogens in fish and shellfish. Marketing, transportation and distribution, retailing, import and export, and a look to the future of the seafood industry are also addressed.

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Eel Biology

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 4431004580

Book Description

As a food resource in both Eastern and Western countries, the eel is an important fish. Over the years, remarkable progress has been achieved in understanding the mysterious life cycle of eels that has fascinated scientists since the age of Aristotle. The spawning area of the Japanese eel was discovered and the migratory route of its larvae was elucidated. With the development of techniques for artificial induction of gonadal maturation, it became possible to obtain hatched larvae. Larval rearing to the leptocephalus stage, one of the most difficult tasks involved in eel culture, finally was achieved. By presenting these important breakthroughs, Eel Biology will be of great help in the development of effective management strategies for maintaining stable eel populations. With contributions by leading experts, this book is a valuable source for researchers as well as industry technicians in the fields of aquatic biology, aquaculture, and fisheries.

Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation: The Freshwater Fish of Tropical Africa

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Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation: The Freshwater Fish of Tropical Africa
Christian Lévêque
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0521570336

Book Description

In order for biodiversity to be conserved, it is important to know how and where diverse populations of plants and animals exist, to understand the effects of human impacts on them, and to find the means by which these impacts can be lessened and even reversed. While tropical systems are known to be among the most diverse and most threatened globally, tropical freshwater systems have been neglected, and the tremendous variety of fish, amphibians, invertebrates and plants that live in them are poorly known yet seriously threatened. This comprehensive book brings together a wealth of information on the fish of tropical African systems, and discusses how these systems evolved, what holds them together, and what is tearing them apart.

Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach (5th Edition)

Average customer rating:

Okay book
Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach
A great text

Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach (5th Edition)
James W. Nybakken
Manufacturer: Benjamin Cummings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0321030761

Book Description

Emphasizes the ecological principles that govern marine life throughout all environments within the world's oceans. Its unique ecological approach adds real-world relevance by exploring how organisms interact within their individual ecosystems. The book is organized by habitat and each habitat receives detailed, in-depth coverage, giving readers the flexibility to focus on their particular areas of interest. The Fifth Edition is fully updated with the latest research data and topics, including expanded coverage of the human impact on oceans, oceanic dead zones, and coral reefs. For marine biologists and marine ecologists.

Customer Reviews:

Okay book.......2007-03-06

First let me just say that I love my Marine Biology class that I had to buy this book for. Now let me get down to it. I am sure there are better books out there if you are interested in the subject (if you have to buy it for class you don't have a choice). This book is sometimes interesting but I have found that at times they just try to put so much information in such a boring way that you just cannot learn it. This was particularly noticeable in chapter 2 about plankton. The book goes over about 10 different plankton species every other page and it is very boring. Other than that, the book is fine but nothing more than average.

Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach.......2005-05-18

Great text. Great price. Book arrived in excellent condition, in a timely manner, and Kevin Serkes, seller, was great with the follow up, and with addressing my concerns about other book orders I had placed. Thank you for a great job!!

A great text.......2000-05-10

Most marine biology texts on the market are designed to support lower division courses for non-majors. Nybakken's text, however, is designed with the upper division biology major as its primary audience. This book is, in my opinion, the best book on the market to support an undergraduate course in marine biology for majors.

Nybakken takes a community ecology approach to his discussions of the marine environment. There are chapters that address communities of the plankton, nekton, deep sea, nearshore subtidal regions, intertidal habitats, estuaries and marshes, the tropics and the poles, and so forth.

The photographs and illustrations are good, the text is well written, and examples are widely known. It may be true that Nybakken tends to pull more heavily on examples from the West Coast of the USA, but there are also ample numbers of examples from other areas of the world that support the text.

Each chapter is supported by a list of references from the professional (primary) scientific literature -- something a serious biology student would appreciate and use.

This is an easy book to teach from and to learn from. The information is excellent, the examples are clear, and the supporting graphics are good.

It is also notable that Nybakken not only discusses the biology of marine organisms, but he addresses the stewardship we have to conserve the planet's vital assemblage of marine resouces and biodiversity.

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