An excellent reference.
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MARINE
LIFE TITLES |
.. |
 |
Please
note:
We
are Australian distributors of the superb IKAN series of marine books.
These
books are included on this page, but we also have a separate IKAN
website which covers further details of the books and the authors. |
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GUINESS
GUIDE TO UNDERWATER LIFE
Christian
Petron & Jean-Bernard Lozet.
Originally
published in France in 1974 by Editions Denoel, Paris.
Hardcover,
dust wrapper, 218p,large format A4 size.
Great
photos with informative general text. This is not a book of superlatives
as would be expected from the publisher. The forward is by Jacques Dumas.
Covers the Mediterranean and Tropical Seas. Not an identification guide
- more a general overview of marine life. Excellent reading - and
an excellent gift.
I
have limited copies of this excellent book, many years old now but still
relevant of course, and of great interest. The books are new and have been
i storage for many years.
$26.00 |
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LIFE
IN THE OCEANS
(In
the World Wil;d;ife Series, Number 10).
From
the original text by Dr Felix Rodriquez de la Fuente. English version by
John Gilbert.
Orbis
Publishing Limited, London, 1970.
Large
format 'coffee table' size, hardcover, dustjacket, 300 pages, full colour
throughout, maps and drawings, no index.
One
of the best books I have come across to describe in some detail, yet in
layman's terms, the life in the ocean, with excellemt photographs, location
maps and drawingsIt really is a great read and informative. Chapters include
The Oceans - Cradle of Life; The Seashore; Sea turtles and Sea snakes;
Birds of the Coastal Fringe; Mammals of the Seashore; Coral Reefs; Antarctica;
Life on the Continetal Shelf; Fishes of the Shallow Seas; Dolphins; The
Abyss Beneath; Killers of the Deep; Wanderers of the Ocean' the Mighty
Whales.
I
just wish I had time to read books such as this from cover to cover. I
have just the one copy left, new but with a very slight repaired tear on
the dustjacket. Ideal for anyone intersted in any way with marine life.
$38.00 |
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MARINE LIFE
- AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF INVERTEBRATES IN THE SEA
David and Jennifer George.
Lionel Leventhal Ltd, London;
G.Harap & Co. Ltd. 1979.
(Also John Wiley & Sons,
USA; Rigby Limited, Australia; and in Canada, France, Netherland, Spain.
ISBN 0 85368 333 6.
Hardcover, dustjacket, A4
size. 287 pages, colour, index.
This used to be the 'bible'
in the 1980s, and is still a very valuable book. It is an excellent book
for identification, with some ten to twelve colour photos on each colour
plate page, with a cross-reference numbering system to the text. It is
broken up into Phylum, with sub-groups lists and describes the characteristics
of the animal. A world wide guide, relevent to tropical and temperate species
which remains an excellent book to this day.
Second-hand
copy, very good condition. $45.00. |
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THE AUDUBON
SOCIETY BOOK OF MARINE WILDLIFE
Les Line (editor of Audubon
Magazine), and George Reiger
Harry N. Abrams Inc, Publishers,
New York. 1980.
A huge 'coffee table' book
of 310mm depoth x 240mm. Hardcover, dustjacket, 236 pages heavy stock,
full colour, notes on photographers (includes David Doubilet, Howard Hall,
Chris Newbert, Ron and Val Taylor),index.
I see this more as a gift
book for anyone interested in marine life at a non-scientific level - or
for someone to be encouraged to take an inerest in life in the oceans.
The photographs are excellent, many double and full page, and well captioned.
Chapters include The Underwater Jungle; Stalkers and the Drifting World;
Coral Citues; The Open Sea; Creatures of the Abyss; Survival in an Icy
World.
I
have just the one copy. It is new with just slight hardly noticeable scuffs
on the dust jacket. $35.00 |
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WINDOW IN THE SEA
$20
Ralph Nading Hill
First published 1956, Victor
Gollancz Ltd, London.
Hardcover, dustjacket, 240
pages, mono photographs.
Based on observations of
dolphin and sharks in an oceanarium, with an aim, inter alia, of fidning
a rellant to ward off shark attack. Covers also the catching and transporting
of large marine animals (sharks and dolphin), anaesthesia, and 'hints for
mrine housekeeping'.
From the fly: One
of the most terrifyingof all the hazards
that can overtake the ship-wrecked; or the victims of an air disaster,
is to be attacked by sharks. On one occasion, when a plane carrying three
people sank off the South American coast, the sharks, after a leisurely
investigation, seized one of its occupants. After an hour they devoured
the second. The third succeeded in swimming to the shore. It was this incident
that prompted one of the strangest scientific projects of the war— the
quest for a shark repellent. The project was carried out by an organisation
called the Marine Studios, and il is unlikely that any body could have
been found which was better fitted for the work. l;or the Marine Studios
have a vast practical experience of sharks, arising out of their responsibility
for one of the most ingenious and scientifically valuable enterprises of
its kind in the world—-the first "oceanarium" ever to be built, h is the
story of this stupendous and fascinating enterprise which Mr. Mill tells,
in a book of profound interest to layman and scientist alike.
Edition
offered is first edition 1956 in excellent condition, gift salutation on
endpaper, comes with rather tattered original dust jacket but now protected
by a computer generated facsimile dustjacket in protective library-quality
film. $24.00 |
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WORLD
ATLAS OF MARINE FAUNA
Rudie Kuiter & Klaus
Lindemann.
Here it is at last - the
remarkable companion to the acclaimed World Atlas of Marine Fishes. Seven
hundred and thirty pages with thousands of beautifully presented photographs,
it provides the greatest possible coverage of selected groups of the enormous
variety of marine invertebrates in a single book. It is primarily aimed
to assist people who have a keen interest in the small animals they encounter
in the sea other than fishes, to find their scientific names or where to
classify them. Presented here are the species one is likely to see when
diving or snorkeling in the sea, as well as those that are traded in the
aquarium industry, with photographs large enough to see detail for their
identification. Most species occur on shallow reefs in tropical seas, with
the greatest species diversity in the Southeast Asian regions. This World
Atlas includes many of the familiar decapod crustacea … lobsters, crabs,
shrimps; some worms and the highly diverse mollusca … seaslugs and some
other snails such as cowry shells shown with their animal, as well as octopus
and squid; and various other groups of mobile invertebrates such as worms,
flatworms, seastars, urchins and many other echinoderms. With the rare
exception, the animals were all photographed in the wild. The popular groups,
symbiotically living crustaceans and cephalopods are covered extensively,
whilst the seaslugs are covered as the second part, as the very large group
of the colourful nudibranchs were comprehensively treated in our book Nudibranchs
of the World, and thus expanded here with the other opisthobranch families
such as headshield slugs and seahares. To care for our seas we need to
know and have to show others what lives in this wet world. Todays live-forms
are those which have successfully evolved and were shaped and created along
their evolutionary path of hundreds of millions of years, and will keep
on
changing as required by circumstances. Our learning about the marine creatures
is a never ending story, especially about their behaviour. The World Atlas
of Marine Fauna is an invaluable reference book for a great variety of
marine invertebrates that we can admire in the world's seas. As such, it
addresses the environmental enthusiasts, photographers, sportsdivers, snorkelers,
surveyors, teachers, and biogeographers – scientists as well as amateurs
or hobbyists. A wonderful addition to the library of anyone intersted in
the creatures of our oceans.
Hardcover, labinated board
covers, 730 pages, thousands of photographs. $148.00 |
. |
AUSTRALIAN
MARINE LIFE
The
Plants and Animals of Temperate Waters.
"A
new and greatly expanded edition of this successful and respected book
with over 1500 photographs, including 1000 new images, and current information
about 1450 species. Australian Marine Life continues to be the definitive
book on the unique and spectacular animals and plants of Australian waters".
That should read ... of temperate Australian waters, and of course it is
indeed the definitive work.
624
pages, soft cover. Note: this soft cover printing
is the same as the previous second edition hard cover. $59.95
From
previous editions: At last, a true encyclopedia of Australian temperate
marine animals and plants - superbly presented in a clear layout with over
1300 colour photographs. Divers and marine enthusiasts now have a single
volume that covers evrrything from tiny lichens to dolphins and whales.
As there has been a dearth of material on temperate marine invertebrates,
this book will remain in use at least for the rest of my natural lifetime.
The 544 pages are dived into the five relevant kingdoms, including the
tiny protists (no, they are not the rowdy people who gather at parliament
house), and the kingdoms representing the plants, animals, fungi and even
bacteria. The majority of the book is concerned with the animal kingdom
which of course includes the invertebrates, fishes and mammals. (The taxonomic
chart is the best I have seen, spread over a double page, showing the kingdom
down to the class.) A short introduction to each phylum and class precedes
the more descriptive families and species. The text is concise yet informative
with habitat, distribution and size detailed for each species. A glossary
and an extensive selected bibliography, and index complete the book. Harcover,
dustjacket, full colour and mono diagrams. The author is a respected marine
scientist who has worked in Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia on
a number of important projects. This book is a must. See
update
details (revisions and corrections) between the first edition hardcover
and the second edition (revised) softcover. |
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A FIELD GUIDE
TO AUSTRALIAN MARINE LIFE
Neville Coleman.
Rigby Limited, Sydney etc.
1977.
Hardcover, dustjacket, 190
x 130mm, common and scientific name index. One of Neville's most
popular books in that it provided a concise reference text the subject,
certainly one of the first of the popular marine natural sciences books
for the diver/layman. Now well out of print of course but still a useful
and handy reference.
Second-hand,
perfect condition. $18.00 *** SOLD*** |
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A FIELD GUIDE
TO THE MARINE LIFE OF SOUTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA
Neville Coleman.
Rigby Publishers, Sydney
etc. 1981.
Hardcover, dustjacket, 167
pages, colour plates.
The fly blurb indicates
that bthis is the first visual identification guide to be produced in colour
on marine animals inhabiting the waters of south-eastern Australia - ie,
the temperate waters of South-Australia through to northern N.S.W. and
Tasmania. It contains families of some 200 species, 'the majority of which
have never before been published in colour'. Still a valuable identification
and handbook text by one opf Australia's great marine biologists and diver.
One
copy, second-hand, $24.00. Excellent condition. ** SOLD ** |
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AUSTRALIAN
SEA LIFE SOUTH OF 30 degrees SOUTH
Neville Coleman.
Doubleday, Sydney.1987.
ISBN 0 86824 269 1.
Hardcover, dustjacket, 288
pages, full colour throught, usually one photo of species per pages, index.
And yet another excllent
title by Neville Coleman that quickly goes out of print and is not reprintd
by the publishers despite the
demand. I think it
is one of his finest books, and yet it is very difficult to obtain - well,
thats understandable I suppose. It is a pity tht the publishers cannot
think beyong the immediate quick sale, and keep a book like this in print
for many decades.
One
good second-hand copy available. $35.00 |
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AUSTRALIAN
SEA TURTLES
Their Natural History and
Conservation
Robert Bustard.
William Collins Sons &
Co. London, Sydney etc.
First published in 1972.
Hardcover, dustjacket, 220
pages, mono photographs, maps, index, references. Author was one of the
world's experts on sea turtles, particularly those off the Queensland coast.
He covers the seven species of sea turtles in a book of four parts: the
Turtle, The Lives of Turtles, Turthle Research, and Turtles and Man. Certainly
a definitive work on the subject.
At present, just the one
copy, in very good condition, dustjacket. $24.00 |
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BENEATH AUSTRALIAN SEAS
Walter Deas and Clarrie
Lawler
A.H. & A.W. Reed. Sydney
& Melbourne, 1970.
[Yellow diver cover] Hardcover,
dustjacket, square format 180mm, 110 pages, about fifty full page colour
photographs, bibliography and index.
[Red top cover] Laminated
boards, no dustjacket, all other details the same. There is no indication
insdide the book as to which book was published first. I assume the 'yellow
cover', as I have a signed birthday gift dated 1971. I could be wrong.
A delightful book, very
interesting and a useful reference in its day - one of the first 'diving
books' in Australia. Chapters include 'The Scuba Diver', and the development
of scuba; Animals of the sea floor; Dangerous marine animals' Diving for
scieence; Underwater photography; The sea at Night; Spearfishintg and shell
collecting; Wrecks and Treasure trove; and Into the Abyss - the next steps.
The author even back in 1970 were well known respected Australian divers,
with Walt specialising in underwater photography and cinematography,
and Clarrie on the marine sceinces as a member of the Royal Zoological
Society since 1959. (And both very nice genetlemen). I
have one second-hand copy available. Good condition. $10.00 |
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DOWN
UNDER AT THE PROM.
Marg
O'Toole & Malcolm Turner.
A
very well presented book covering the marine life off Wilsons Promontory
(south-east Victoria), one of the most beautiful and prolific temperate
water dive sites in the world. Also covers dive sites and shipwrecks.
Definitely
recommended reading.
Softcover,110
pages, full colour.
$26.00 |
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A Field Guide
to CRUSTACEANS OF AUSTRALIAN WATERS
Diana Jones and Gary Morgan.
This is a complete cover
of Australia's known crustaceans. Not only is it an excellent identification
guide but it also provides a wealth of knowledge of the life and habitats
of crab, prawns, crayfish and other crustacans. And no, there are no cooking
instructions. Here you will find some very strange and smart life cycles
and adaptations, and some very curious behaviours. It also features recently
discovered subterranean crustaceans, some of which have never - literally
- seen the light of day. The photographs are excellent - clear and in full
colour, and the line drawings clearly identfy the vrious features of species
and sexes. I never really knew what scampi were!!
Softcover, 224 pages, full
colour, index, scientific and common names, extensive references and glossary.
An excellent book. $39.95 |
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UNDERWATER
IDENTIFCATION PLATE
GUIDE TO REEF FISH OF
AUSTRALIA
(including Great Barrier
Reef, Coral sea, Fiji and Adjacent waters).
A plastic card 15 x 23 cm,
with some seventy fish drawings in full colour, for use underwater, designed
for fish identification whilst diving. The drawings are based on the book
Fishes
of the Great Barrier Reef by John Randal et al.
$12.00
No
longer available. |
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GREAT BARRIER
REEF
Neville Coleman.
One of the excellent World
of Water Wildlige Guides.
This is a very handy and
informative marine life guidebook covering predominantly the fishes and
invertebrate lif, but also reptiles, mammals and crustacea. There are over
500 full colour photographswith brief text to each. Brief tourist information
is also mentioned, including a section on reef walking, snorkelling and
scuba diving. Includes also th marine life of the Keppel Islands, and the
Whitsundays. Softcover, 80 pages, full colour, scientific name index.
$24.00 |
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LORD
HOWE ISLAND MARINE PARK
Sea
Shore to Sea Floor. A World Heritage Wildlife Guide.
Neville
Coleman.
Ninety-six
pages, 750 full colour photographs, covering the major marine life from
algae to marine mammals. An an excellent identification and information
softcover guide to one of the most beutiful islands in the Pacific.
$19.95 |
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SEA
BIRDS AND OTHERS OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC.
Neville
Coleman.
A
beautifully produced book that fills a gap in the publications of marine
life.
Softcover,
full colour, 64 pages.
$16.50 |
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UNDERWATER AUSTRALIA
Irvin Rockman.
Introduction by Hans Hass.
Text by Ken Pulley.
This book could equally
be categorised in the photographic section, but because it is instructional
in marine animals, it deserves a place here. First published 1974 by Lansdowne
Press, Melbourne. Hardcover, dust jacket, 112 pages, full page colour plates
throughout. Whether this book becomes an Australian classic simply because
the author was once the Lord Mayor of Melbourne only history will tell,
but it is the first of its kind to publih full size colour underwater photographs
in Australian waters by an Australian photographer. Compared to today's
imaginative underwater photography, Rockman's work is rather bland, but
they do adequately illustrate the undersea world. That this book is not
a joint authorship means that the emphasis is on the photography, but overall,
with Ken Pulley's writing, it is an interesting book covering the
marine animals in Australian waters.
Good
second-hand copies available. $35.00 |
| SEASHORE LIFE IN AUSTRALIA |
 |
AUSTRALIAN
SEASHORES . W.J. Dakin ( with Isobel Bennett)
This
is an extremely popular book, and deserves a special explanation. The full
title of the most recent edition is actually "W.J.Dakin's classic study
Australian Seashores, Fully Revised and Illustrated by Isobel Bennett".
This expanded hardcover, large-format edition with superb colour photographs
throughout was published in 1987. It proved to be extremely popular with
the general public and eventually went out of print. Isobel Bennett is
a leading Australian naturalist who worked with Professor Dakin.
The
original Dakin's Australian Seashores was published in 1952, with
revised editions in 1960 and reprinted in 1963. These original Dakin books
were hardcover, 372 pages with mono prints. The text in all editions is
the same, with the same chapters. The 1987 edition has a bibliography.
Australian
Seashores, irrespective of edition, is the definitive guide on the intertidal
zone, and a recommended source of information to divers. (Australia's foremost
marine educationalist Reg Lipson strongly recommends the book). The twenty
chapters cover basic oceanography through to species biology. The problem
is that all editions are out of print, and second-hand copies are in demand.
It is important to note tht the text in all editions remains the same.
Highly
Recommended
Secondhand.
Prices
are generally - $80 for a second-hand copy of the 1987 edition (hardcover,
dustwrapper, large format, 410 pages, full colour), and around $45 for
the earlier editions, either with an original dust jacket or a computer
generated dust jacket. |
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A
PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE TO SEASHORE LIFE OF AUSTRALIA.
Keith
Davey.
New
printing. A very neat book, very handy size at 10 cm x 19 cm, with
clear plastic protective cover over soft boards; full colour, 144 pages.
Excellent for on-site identification - can slip into your pocket. After
a brief discourse on wave energy, rocky shore habitats, and biology, the
book enters the identification sectio withgenerally two or three photos
per page, a diversity map, and brief text in small lettering. Species covered
include algae, sponges, anemones, worms, barnacles, crabs, abalone, sea
hares, bivales, sea stars, urchins, cunjevoi, and others.
$24.00
SUPERB
CONVENIENT HANDBOOK - GREAT VALUE |
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THE
FRINGE OF THE SEA. Isobel Bennet.
This
well known marine scientist, student and collaborator of the famoud W.J.Dakin,
is an exceptional naturalist and author. She collaborated with Dakin on
his famous Australian Seashores. Hr own book was first published in 1966
and has gone through many editions. Chapters include Sponges, Coelenterates,
Marine Worms, Crustaceans, Molluscs, Echinoderms, and The Living Reef.
Covers both temperate and tropical seas. Hardcover, dustjacket, 260 pages,
many mono plates, some colour. The book is now well out of print but we
occasionally have a copy in stock.
Secondhandcopy
available, justjacket, excellent condition. $32.00. |
| MARINE LIFE - IN THE HABITAT |
|
|
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LIFE
IN THE SEA.
"As
it is - How it came to be - How it could become. Diversity, its origins
and implications".
Werner
Gruter.
If
you are interested, even superficially, in marine life then you must read
this book. It is not a species identification guide, nor a scientific treatise
on marine life, yet it covers so much fascinating material on the evolution
and development of life in the sea. Much of the material is derived from
our on seas, both temperate and tropical. It has such quality that you
will not wish to put it down. It asks and answers so many questions.
"The
sea was the cradle of primordial life, from which the roots of our own
existence sprouted. Billions of years of evolutionary development brought
forth an enchanting variety of forms, colors, lifestyles, and patterns
of behaviour". Over 286 pages in thirteen chapters, with 330 photographs,
the author has compiled a fascinating biology of marine life, a most readable
text covering all aspects of marine life - reproduction and growth, territory
and defense, predators and victims ... there is so much to cover. Hardcover,
laminated boards, medium format, full colour.$96.00. Sorry,
no more copies left. |
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UNDERSEA LIFE
Text by Joseph S. Levine,
photographs by Jeffrey L. Rotman.
A Marine Biologist Expolores
the Fragile Universe of the Oceans.
Stewart, Tabori and Chang
Inc, New York. 1985.
Hardcover, dustjacket, medium-large
square format, 222 pages, full colour throughout.
Initially I thought this
book would be listed under 'photography', but considering the exceptional
text - and that it exposes a marine biologists journey through the oceans
world of marine life - it is best categorised as an educational and entertaining
book on marine life. It is the sort of book that you take quietly to the
lounge room or study, eliminate the external noises of family and society,
make yourself warm with a good hot coffee (forget about your health) -
and just sit and read. I say it is entertaining because, for a layman such
as myself, it retains your interest - you enjoy reading it, and as a wonderful
bonus, it is educational. I love books like this - well written by an author
who knows his subject, and in a language that as a diver with an interest
in the marine world, I can understand. And the pretty pictures are excellent
and stimulate further interest. Chapters include: To Live in the Sea; Capriccio
on a Coral Reef; Water Colors; Poison, Tooth and Claw; To Exhaust the Sea.
This would be a great gift for yourself, or someone with moire than just
a passing interest in the marine world.
I
have just the one copy (I kept one for myself), with a very slight shelf
scratch on the dust jacket. $48.00 |
| MARINE LIFE - GENERAL ANIMALS |
 |
MARINE INVERTEBRATES
Ronald Shimek.
This is a superb guide,
‘the essential concise reference', and although marketed as a ‘pocket-expect
guide', it is 448 pages, in full colour throughout, and covers some five
hundred ‘essential to know aquarium species'. Don't let the word ‘aquarium'
put you off - in fact,the detail for aquarium keepers is just as important
for divers experiencing the invertebrates in their natural habitat as the
text delves more deply than most other publications into their natural
life, their feeding habits, reproduction, predators and the like. I have
found it to b one of the most interesting books availabl on invertebrates.
Softcover, 115 x 185 mm,
full colour throughout, 448 pages, index, bibliography, glossary.$66.00 |
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FLATWORMS - THE WORLD
OF POLYCLADS
Leslie Newman & Lester
Cannon.
Polyclads - or flatworms
if you like -are found throughout the world, with the most colourful being
in tropical waters. They are not sea slugs as often thought, and have their
own Phylum, the Platyhelminthes. These intriguing creatures are both fortunate
yet confused as they have both male and female systemns (true hermaphrodites),
yet choose to fight it out as to who is to play th male role in any copulation.
And it appears that they fight it out with their penises. Go down to St.Kilda
late on a Saturday night and you may see the same thing. But these worms
have a right battle on their hands as they strive to impregnate the other
without being impregnated themselves. Now if only we were all like that
- it would put mud-wrestling to shame. Also covers, briefly, the beautiful
Christmas Tree, Spirobranchus, and the Feather-duster worms. Quite a superb
book. Softcover, large square format, full colour throughout, 98 pages,
index of species, references, glossary. $39.95
Sorry,
no more copies available.. |
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Oceans Realm
Guide to
REEF CREATURES - MARINE
INVERTEBRATES
Text and Photographs by
Paul Humann.
Oceans Realm Publishing
Corporation, Miami, USA. 1982.
Hardcover, dust jacket,
A4 size, 78 pages, full clour, glossary, index.
An excellent book published
by the people who put out what must rate as one of the best diving and
marine magazines in the world, Ocean Realm. It could be used as a species
identification book but moreso for its extended descriptions opf photographed
species. I would suggest that most of these are in the northern hemisphere,
and no doubt many from the Cayman Islands where the author resided at the
time of publication.
I
have just the one copy, new, hardcover, dustjacket, $24.00. I also have
a softcover edition, $15.00 |
 |
SEAHORSES,
PIPEFISHES AND THEIR RELATIVES
A
Comprehensive Guide to Syngnatbiformes.
Rudie
H. Kuiter.
Once
again Rudie Kuiter has put together a superb refence book; and the publisher
has completed the job with fine layout and quality paper. Some of these
animals are weird, some equisitly beautiful, others have unusual mating
and gestation behaviour - and why shouldn't the male carry the eggs? An
excellent reference for the marine biologist, scientist, naturalist and
serious amateur diver.
Hardcover
(laminated boards), 240 pages, more than 1000 exceptional photographs and
lone drawings covering 350 species, the total of known species in the world.
$76.00 |
 |
SEA
SNAKES.
Harold
Heatwole.
They
are both feared and admired, but usually the former, and with a venom a
hundred times more potent than a terrestial King Cobra, it is no wonder.
Yet they are relativaley harmless and under normal circumstances, divers
need not fear an attack. Their curiosity however makes it appear sometimes
as if they are aggressive. The author is a world expert on sea snakes.
I had the pleasure of meeting him when I was on the organising team of
the annual Oceans Congresses back in the 1970s in Melbourne, a charming
man of much knowledge. Because of his time at the University of Queensland
and University of New England (Armadale, NSW), most of the book is based
on Australian sea snakes, making it all the more relevant. Chapters include
Distribution and Biodiversity, Natural History, Feeding, Enemiwes, Ecology,
Diving Adaptations, Venom, and interaction with us humans. I know of no
more detailed book on the subject than this. First published in 1978, then
revisied in 1999, a few new copies have turned up. Softcover, 148 pages,
mono photographs and colour plates, index, extensive bibliography. Repeat
- limited copies only. $42.00 |
| MARINE LIFE BY COUNTRY (region,
other than Australia). |
 |
AN
UNDERWATER GUIDE TO HAWAI'I
Ann
Fielding and Ed Robinson.
University
of Hawai'i Press, USA 1987.
Also
published same time by Times Editions, Les Editions du Pacifique, Singapore
Hardcover,
dustjacket, 156 pages, full colour, index, suggested reading..
Predominantly
photographs thus an excellent marine life guide. Chapters: Formation of
the Hawaiian Islands; Dispersal of Marine Life; Underwater Habitats; Hawaiian
Marine Life; Fishes, Species.
One
new copy, $34.00 |
 |
ASIA
PACIFIC REEF GUIDE
Helmut
Debelius
The
coral reefs of South East Asia harbour the greatest species diversity of
all the oceans, not only for fishes, but also for invertebrates. With twenty
thousand islands within the triangle Okinawa, Malaysia and eastern Indonesia,
the reefs and coastal fauna is remarkable. Once again, the remarkable Helmut
Debelius has compiled a wonderful volume of the marine life within the
area, covering southern Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, southern China and
Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, and the western Micrinesian islands of Yap and
Palau. The islands of Sipadan, Flores, Bohol, Cebu, Bali, Ambon, Palawan
and many more feature regularly throughout the book. Over 1,000 photographs,
all taken in their natural habitat, cover all marine life - the fishes,
crustacea, miolluscss, the soft and hard corals, the worms, and the echinoderms.
And like all the other IKAN series books, twenty-two two-page picture stories
add to the intrest and knowledge of the marine life: Anemone City, Master
of Mimickry, Mouring for Napoleon etc. Most of the photographs are those
of the author, with additional images from excellent photographers including
Halstead, Kuiter, Steene and Tatsuuma. Hardcover, laminated boards,
320 pages, full colour throughout. An
IKAN series
book.$76.00 |
 |
DISCOVER LOLOATA
ISLAND - MARINE LIFE GUIDE TO PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Neville Coleman.
Purely and identification
guide, and a very good one at that, at an affordable price. Althoug the
marine spcies listed are predominaantly from the Loloata Island, Bootless
Bay and Horseshoe Reef region near Port Moresby, they represent many of
the specis found off the Papua new Guinea coast. Each pag has eight full
colour photographs, all exceptionally clear and exactly depicting th marine
crature in its habitat. Mangroves, Sea Grasses, Alga, Forams, Sponges and
Cnidarians are all features, witn Cruistacean, Echinoderms, Ascindians,
Fish, Reptiles), and Mammals.
Softcover, full colour,
72 pages.
$26.00 |
 |
FIJI'S
WILD BEAUTY
Achim Nimmerfroh
Fiji's stunning island scenery,
excellent facilities are charming people make it one of the most popular
holiday destinations for divers and tourists alike. With some of the finest
reefs in the world: from the magic Yasawa Islands in the west to stunning
Rainbow Reef off Taveuni in the east - and a hundred magnifient dive sites
in between - there is an abundance of marine life and fascinating underwater
terrain. Nimmerfroh's excellent photography has captured the marine life
on Fiji's coral reefs. The book is in part an identification guide, a photo
essay, and an expression of the diversity of Fiji's marine life which can
be a memorable record of experiences. The chapters are organised in the
general groups of animals, with full page down to three-five images per
page, and brief but relevant text using latin and common names. The production
on quality gloss paper complements the colour images. Softcover, 316 pages,
full colour throughout, index. $58.00 |
 |
GUIDE TO MARINE
IVERTEBRATES - ALASKA TO BAJA CALIFORNIA
Daniel W. Gotshall.
Sea Challengers Publications,
Monteray, USA. 1994.
Softcover, stiff boards,
quarto size, 106 pages, full colour, suggested further references, index.
An excellent photographic
guide to this lengthy north-east Pacific region, with three photograohs
per page.
I
have just the one, new, copy. $30.00 |
 |
INDIAN
OCEAN ISLANDS:
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
COCOS KEELING ISLANDS
MALDIVES
SEYCHELLES
Neville Coleman.
These superb marine guides
are from Neville Coleman's World of Water Wildlife Series. $29.95 |
 |
 |
 |
These superb marine guides are
from Neville Coleman's World of Water Wildlife Series. Each is of eighty
pages, full colour throughout with over 560 photographs, scientific index,
brief history and tourism information. They cover the major species within
all the major marine groups, from alga to zoanthids, with an excellent
section on fish and crustaceans. As is typical of this underwater naturalist/diver/author,
here we have an excellent concise guide to the marine life the Indian Ocean
islands. Species covered would also be relevant to the west coast
of Australia.
Note: The section on Indian
Ocean marine life is the same in each book - only the relevant tourist
information, history, land flora and fauna and ecological data is different
for each island group. Thus, if travelling to more than one of these groups,
it is not necessary to purchase more than one book in order to cover the
spectrum of marine life. |
 |
INDIAN
OCEAN REEF GUIDE.
Helmut
Debelius.
Another
superb title from one of the world's finest icthyologists and marine naturalists
- and a superb photographer. His books are perfect, for identification
and general knowledge of the species covered - usuaally three of more photos
per page, with concise text. The proeduction of all his books is excelent.
This book covers the complete Indian Ocean rim, inclusing of course Western
Australia, Cocos and ChristmasIslands, the Maldives, Sri Lanka mauritius,
and down the eastern African coast. Covers the reef invertebrates, fishes,
corals, and even the odd shipwreck. A wonderful book, as would be expected
from Debelius.
An
IKAN
series book.
$76.00 |
 |
MARINE
ANIMALS OF BAJA CALIFORNIA
Daniel
W. Gotshall.
'A
Guide to the Common Fish and Invertebrates'. A useful guide for species
along the American north-west coast off Mexico, and Central America, as
well as the Galapagos.
Softcover,
112p, 180x230mm, full colour.
$42.00 |
 |
MARINE LIFE OF THE GALAPAGOS
The Divers Guide to Fishes,
Whales, Dolphins and Marine Invertebrates.
Pierre Constant.
Published by Odyssey Books
and Guides, 2002, 2007
New
copy, second edition on offer.
Softcover, 21x15x1.5. 306
pages, common name index, scietific name index, recommended reading list,
27 maps, 288 colour photographs..
From the backcover blurb:
Ever since it was discovered by the Spaniards in the 16th century, the
volcanic hotspot of the Galapagos archipelago has set itself apart. Although
the islands are located on the equator in the far eastern side of the Pacific
ocean, they do not have a typical tropical climate. The region bathes in
three major ocean currents of both warm and cold waters that originate
from the Panama region, the Antarctic and the Central Pacific. The Galapagos
Marine Reserve—a World Heritage Site since 2001—is rich in biodiversity
and home to 2,900 species of marine organism with 800 species of mollusks,
including 49 species of opistobranchs, 465 speciesof
fish with 17 percent endemism, 44 species of corals,
and 12 species of gorgonians. Many species of marine life, unique in the
world, mix with sea lions, sharks, mantas and whales. For divers and photographers
alike, this destination is a 'must do' experience without rival. Rich
with stunning color photography,
this definitive, thoroughly revised guide evokes the visual paradise
of the Galapagos underwater world.$30.00 [marinelife-galapagos-constant-SHD001.jpg] |
 |
MEDITERRANEAN
AND ATLANTIC INVERTEBRATE GUIDE.
Peter
Wirtz and Helmut Debelius.
Another
superb publiation in the IKAN series, covering the north-east Atlantic
from the equator and Canary Island north to Norway, and from Turkey and
Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean throuigh to Spain, including the islands
of the Mediterranean and both the north and south shores.Brilliantly produced
in full colour, with two or three imags per page, we have all the invertebrates
from Sponges, Cbnidarians, the Worms, Arthropods, MolluscsEchindoerms and
Kamptozoans. Typical of the IKAN sries, twenty-five ‘picture stories' are
included, mking this not only a valuable identification guide but also
an excellent informative and often humourous read.
Hardcover,
laminated boards, 304 pages, index of scientific specie and genera names.
$76.00 |
 |
MEDITERRANEAN
SEA - GUIDE TO UNDERWATER LIFE.
Angelo
Mojetta.
I
now appreciate how rich in wrecks and marine life is the Mediterranean
Sea - submarine, aircraft, ships and a diverse variety of sub-tropical
and temperate species. The colour drawings, particularly of underwater
wrecks and reefs, is exceptional, giving a marvellous view of the
underwater scene. The colour photography is excellent and the text
informative. The Mediterranean underwater life guide is exceptional for
its coverage. Softcover, medium format 210 x 290mm, full colour, 168
pages.
$54.00
Sorry,
no more copies available. |
 |
PACIFIC
COAST SUBTIDAL MARINE INVERTEBRATES.
Gotshall
and Laurent
Covers
over 250 species of inshore and sub-tidal species along the Pacific coast
of north-west America. Identification includes habitat and depth. A very
good identification guide; many of the species are identical or similar
to those of the western Pacific.
Softcover,
108 pages, full colour. We have limited stock.
$24.00 |
 |
PACIFIC
OCEAN ISLANDS:
FIJI
SOLOMONS
TONGA
VANUATU
Neville Coleman.
These superb marine guides
are from Neville Coleman's World of Water Wildlife Series. $27.50 |
 .  . |
These superb marine guides are
from Neville Coleman's World of Water Wildlife Series. Each is of eighty
pages, full colour throughout with over 500 photographs, scientific index,
brief history and tourism information. They cover the major species within
all the major marine groups, from alga to zoanthids, with an excellent
section on fish and crustaceans.
Note: The section on Pacific
Ocean marine life is the same in each book - only the incidental tourist
information, history, land flora and fauna and ecological data is different
for each island group. Thus, if travelling to more than one of these groups,
it is not necessary to purchase more than one book in order to cover the
spectrum of marine life. |
 |
 |
TROPICAL
REEF FISHES OF INDONESIA
TROPICAL MARINE LIFE
OF INDONESIA
Gerry Allen.
Both books - hardcover,
laminated boards, 64 pages, index, full colour throughout.
The tremendous abundance
of fishes seend uring a single scuba dive or snorkelling session may seem
staggering - but there is no need to despair. This handy field guide is
an excellent introduction to 68 of the most commonly encountered reef fishes
in Indonesia. Written by Dr. Gerald Allen, international authority on reef
fishes, it features stunning colour shots by some of the world's best under;water
photographers. Scientific species and family names are listed.
A very hand identification
set.
Two books - $36.00. (Will
not split). ONE SET ONLY
AVAILABLE |
|
 |
THE RED SEA
Andrea Ghisotti.
An excellent book on the
marine life of The Red Sea, with 335 full colour photographs, diving into
two sections - The Fishes, and Invertebrates and other Sea Animals. The
introductory section includes a background on the Red Sea, Dangerous Marine
Cratures, Coral Reefs, Snorkelling and Diving, and Underwater Photography.
Stiff board covers, full
colour, 128 pages scientific and common name index. $38.00 |
 |
UNDERWATER
GUIDE TO THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
Ming
and Alino.
An
excellent guide to the marine life in the waters off eastern Malaysia.
Hardcover,
dustwrapper, 144 pages, full colour.
$34.00 |
 |
UNDERWATER
GUIDE OF TAHITI
Bagnis
& Christian.
Covers
major marine life (not destinations). Excellent reference and identification
guide to fishes, reptiles, invertebrates.
Softcover,
152 pages, all colour.
Limited
stock. $22.00 |
| MARINE LIFE - EDUCATION
Whereas all marine books
listed are educational, this section lists books specifically aimed at
the novice marine naturalist and diver who wishes to gain an overall understanding
of the marine environment - what Neville Coleman talks as "sorting out
the stuff". The books listed here must be free of technical language yet
sufficiently 'scientific' to provide the necessary background to a better
understanding of marine life. |
 |
UNDERWATER NATURALIST
Neville Coleman.
This excellent book is more
than a simple 'Asia/Indo-Pacific Marine Life Identification Guide'. It
is more of an education course in the marine sciences, providing
divers, snorkellers and anyone interested in marine life with the grounding
necessary to understand the concepts of taxonomy - the 'classification'
of plants and animals. It covers all the major familes from algae and sponges
and corals and cnidarians to crustacea, the fishes and mammals.
Excellent value, for its
content and presentation: hardcover (laminated board covers, oblong format,
96 pages, full colour throughout, glossary, index. A great 'starter kit'
for anyone interested in marine life.
$32.50 |
CEPHALOPODS
Nothing specific at the moment. |
 |
INDEX NUDIBRANCHIA
A Catalog of the Literature.
1554-1965
Henry D. Russell.
Published by the Delaware
Museum of Natural History, USA, 1971.
Softcover, slightly larger
than A4, 140 pages.
This one is for the academic
or marine science student. I estimate about 800 references are listed.
I
have just the one copy. $40.00 |
|
 |
NUDIBRANCHS
OF THE WORLD
Helmut Debelius and Rudie
H. Kuiter.
We frequently speak of ‘the
ultimate guide', the ‘bible' of reference, yet not every reference book
deserves such an accolade. The IKAN series of books certainly do, but whereas
you may have thought that publisher/author Helmut Debelius has reached
his zenith, he pulls another one out of his bag of exceptional knowledge,
and produces - ‘Nudibranchs of the World'. This not an update of the acclaimed
IKAN series Nudibranchs and Sea Snails, nor in many respects does
it replace it - Nudibranchs of the World is a brand
new compendium of over 2500 colour photographs covering some
1180
species, allowing the identifcation of, probably, all known species.
Accompanying information includes location and distribution, defence, behaviour,
mimicry, camouflage size, and a general description. Because of the books
organisation into family, genus, species, it is possible to discern the
slight variations of som species between locations. Although authoured
by Debelius and Kuiter, a total of 145 photographers from all over the
world have contributed to the book.
Hardcover, laminated board
covers, large A4 format, 360 pages, index. $96.00 |
A typical page. |
 |
NUDIBRANCH
ENCYCLOPEDIA - Catalog of Asia/Indo-Pacific Sea Slugs.
Neville Coleman. $88
Any diver or marine life
naturalist and enthusiast who does not know of Neville Coleman had obviously
never read a book on the subject of Australis's rich and diverse marine
life, so this book will not interest them. But those who have an insatiable
appetite to learn about life under the sea will know that Neville's work
over the past four decades has been prolific - and he continues to produce
more extensive publications as well as the smaller ‘introductory' texts
on marine life that he is so popular for. The Nudibranchs Encyclopedia
is one of his largest, and best, works, with over three thousand images
of the delightfully exquisite Nudibranch family, and perhaps the less atrractive,
yet equally exotic and unusual Opisthobranchs family. There are, generally,
eight photographs of 70 x 40mm each per page, with limited but important
text of four lines each covering the common and scientific name, general
adult size, location found with brief description of habitat, general comment,
and photographer. Many of the photographs have been taken by Neville, but
not all of course, with many other contributors from within Australia and
overseas, hence the encyclopedia is extremely comprehensive, and thus a
superb identification guide. I am constantly intrigued by natur'es incredible
diversity to provide so many different, by way of shape, size and colour,
or a simple slug with exposed ‘lungs'. Why so many species? Why so many
colours? I'm not sure that Nevile answers these questions, but there is
an extensive forty page section at the beginning of the book which describes
the biology and natural history of the animals, answering questions on
habitat sight, smell, ‘hering', taste, touch and other senses; respiration,
locomotion and general mobility, ‘tailing', burropwing, ‘mantle flapping',
food and feeding, reroduction, defence and mimicry. This is a wonderful
contribution to the vaste library of Australian marine life, and well worth
the place on any marine enthusiast's shelf. Hardcover, laminated boards
(ie no dust jacket), 416 pages, full colour throughoput, sciwntific-name
index, glossary of terms, reference bibliography. Sorry,
no more coppies available. |
 |
 |
NUDIBRANCHS
AND SEA SNAILS
From
the Red Sea to South Africa and across to the West Coast of the Americas.
Helmut
Debelius.
At
last - a definitive guide to Nudibranchs which includes Australia's Great
Barrier Reef, Papua New Guinea and the islands of the Pacific. Debelius
has also included the subclasses Prosobranchia - the abalones, limpets,
cowries coneshells, helmets and tritons just to name a few. Not only is
this a superb book for knowledge and identification, but it is also extremely
well produced, in hardcover, on quality art paper, with excellent design
layout. For a more complete description, see the section on Nudibranchs,
below.
An
IKAN
series book.
$76.00
Highly
recommended. |
 |
NUDIBRANCH
BEHAVIOUR
David Behrens.
Nudibranchs are among the
most beautiful creatures on the reef, with colors and shapes that dazzle
and delight. Unlike fish that may disappear before our eyes in a flash,
the showy nudibranch glides slowly along the substrate, allowing us the
time to savor this extraordinary sight. With their shell-less unprotected,
bodies how do they survive in seas filled with hungry mouths? How do these
sightless creatures navigate the reefs to find food and mates? What and
how do they eat? How do they reproduce? What special relationships have
they developed with other reef inhabitants? These and many more questions
are answered in this informative and lavishly illustrated book. You will
never look at nudibranchs the same way again.Softcover (flexibinding, plastic
coated). 176 pages, full colour throughout.
$48.50 Highly
recommended. |
 |
NUDIBRANCHS
OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC
Neville
Coleman.
As
a basic introduction to order Nudibranchia, Coleman's colourful book fills
the bill admirably. The introduction covers the natural history of the
‘nudibranch' in sufficient detail to aappreciate the 200 or so colour photographs
of the species that follow. The photographs are clear, the text limited
but sufficient for identification, giving scientific name, food, depth,
location, and an occurance ‘rating'. Softcover, 64 pages, full colour.There
is a dearth of information on nudibranchs, particularly on Southern water
species, so Coleman's small but useful title is most appreciated.
Softcover,
64 pages, includes natural history then some 150 species with full colour
photograph.
$24.00 |
 |
SEA
SLUGS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Fred
Wells & Clayton Bryce.
Pity
about the name - this is a book on sea slugs, seahares, pteropods, the
beautiful bubble shells, nudibranchs and other beautiful marine creatures
of the Class Gastropoda, many of which occur in the eastern states. Nudibranchs
contribute to fifty percent of the book and as there is a little general
literature on the Order, particularly Australian species, this title is
most welcome. Softcover, 184p, full colour. $36.00
Review |
 |
DANGEROUS
MARINE CREATURES
Carl
Edmonds.
A
field guide, with details on medical treatment. This is ostensibly a reprint
of the popular Australian edition which is not out of print. Edmonds needs
no introduction to Australian divers, and once again has the authoritive
work on the subject. The book is well illustrated, with numerous case studies
covering animals that cause trauma (shark bite), venomous (stinging) marine
animals, poisonous animals, and infections. Symptoms, first-aid, medical
treatment, and prevention are dominant. It is definitely recommended reading
for sport divers.
Softcover,
276p, full colour.
$54.00
Sorry,
no longer available. |
 |
DANGEROUS
SEA CREATURES
Neville
Coleman
Aquatic
Survival Guide, with a comprehensive First Aid Management Section.
Few
books can be regarded as a musst for all divers - but this is one of them.
Not only does it escribe the sea animals that may give us some concern,
but it shows how to prevent injury, nd if that is not successful, to treat
an injury. Some of the animlas may surprise you as being dangerous - all
the more reason to know the environment in which you are diving. Covers
the biting animals, the poisoners, the venomous stingers, and other must-know
information such as dermatitis and malaria. Exceptionally well laid out
with picto-graphs for ease of knowledge.
Softcover,
full colour , 96pages.
$32.00 |
 |
HAZARDOUS
SEA CREATURES
A
Personal Survival Guide.
Nevile
Coleman.
As
the author states on the cover, 'Prevention is better than cure!'. The
book is divided into three sections, with chapters within each: Dangerous
Sea Creatures, Venomous Sea Creatures, Poisonous Sea Creatures. Each 'creature'
described includes a mention of Precautions, but no cure is mentioned if
the precautions are not heeded. Coleman's useful book will not prvent
you from being bitten in half by a great white if you happen to be in the
wong spot at the wrong time, but it will prevent you from being stung,
jabbed or bittenm due to ignorance of underwater mrine life. This is a
must for all divers.
Softcover,
64 pages, full colour.
$21.00 |
 |
A HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALIAN
SEASHELLS.
On Shores East to West and
North to South.
Barry Wilson.
There have been many magnificent
books produced on seashells over the years. Many are too large to handle
as identification guides - coffee table books that should remain in the
living room. This handbook, by Australia's top conchologist (is that the
right word?), and now Chairman of Western Australia's Marine Parks Authority,
is a very useful identification guide suitable for use in the field and
at home or office. Animals are identified with common and scientific names.
It includes over 375 species of the most common seashells found along our
seashores. Each one is illustrated with a colour photograph, generally
four to eight photographs per page. Text is concise, on the opposite page
to the image, so maybe four to eight paragraphs indicating its natural
history, habitat, largest size attained. The dangers of handling some shells
with live animals inside is indicated.
And on this point, I have
to tell you this true story. Many decades ago, when the late cinematographer
Walt Deas was dive master at Heron Island, a young tourist was wandering
the shores when he spotted a nice shell. With a view to keeping it as a
souvenir, he placed it down his swimming togs, having no bag to carry it
in. On nearing the resort he gave a bloood curdling scream and dropped
his togs to reveal that his manlihood had been bitten - by a blue-ringed
octopus. The initial unfortunate humour of the incident turned immediately
into action. Nobody wanted to remove the poison by what was then a traditional
means of so doing. The young man was flown by helicopter to Gladstone and
hospitalised. Fortunately he fully recovered and returned to the island
several days later to a hero's welcome. It would appear from medical advice
given to the young man that had it not been his most treasured possession
that was bitten he may not have survived. I believe he refused to show
his wound to anyone, except to one pretty waitress in the restaurant but
thats another story. Of course, the motto is, don't put a shell down your
jocks, and always check if any animal is still inside even if it appears
that the original animal has long departed. $29.95. |
 |
A NATURAL HISTORY OF
SHELLS.
Geerat J. Vermeij.
Princeton University Press,
New Jersey, USA. 1993.
Hardcover, dustjacket, 207
pages, index, annotated bibliography, mono photos throughout with several
colour plates.
For the diver and shell
cllector who wants to go that little bit further in his/her education.
From the fly blurb: Geerat
Vermeij wrote this "celebration of shells" to share his enthusiasm for
these supremely elegant creations and what they can teach us about nature.
Most other popular books on shells emphasize the identification of species,
but Vermeij uses shells as a way to explore major ideas in biology. How
are shells built? How do they work? How did they evolve? With these questions
in mind, the author lucidly—and charmingly—demonstrates how shells give
us insights into the lives of animals in our own day as well as in the
distant geological past. As snails, clams, and other molluscs enlarge their
shells, they inscribe a detailed record of the everyday events and unusual
circumstances that mark their lives. Moreover, the fossil record that chronicles
the history of life is replete with shells of extinct species. Vermeij
draws on comparisons of shells from different parts of the world and from
successive geological periods to argue that predators have played a decisive
role in the evolution of shells. Architectural specialization, he argues,
is dictated by the risks, rewards, costs, and benefits imposed bypredators
and competitors on shell-builders living in a dangerous world. This book
will be of interest both to amateur shell collectors and to scholars, and
its lively review of evolutionary history should prove especially appealing
to a general audience.
GeeratJ. Vermeij, Professor
of Geology at the University of California, Davis, is the author of Evolution
and Escalation: An Ecological History of Life (Princeton) and Biogeography
and Adaptation: Patterns of Marine Life (Harvard). Vermeij received a 1992
MacArthur Fellowship.
We
have just the only copy abailable, as new. $40.00 |
 |
CONCHIGLIE
DA COLLEZIONE (Shell Collection)
I Documentari dell'Istituto
Geografico de Agostini di Novara.
Sergio Angelletti
Hardcover, printed cloth
boards, wider than A4 portrait, 80 pages, full colour throughout.
It is in Italian so I can't
tell you too much about this.
One
copy available, secondhand, good condition. $15.00 |
 |
MARINE MOLLUSCS OF VICTORIA
J. Hope Macpherson (Curator
of Molluscs, National Museum of Victoria); C.J. Gabriel (Honorary Associaye
of Conchology, National Museum of Victoria). Drawings by G.J.Browning.
Melbourne University Press,
in association with The National Museum of Victoria. 1961.
Hardcover, dustjacket, 474
pages, index, glossary, bibliography, mono drawings throughout.
Still a most valuable reference,
an authoritive text on the subject suitable for academics, students of
the marine sciences, collectors and divers. From the front fly blurb: The
simple collecting of sea-shells is a fascinating pastime that gives untold
pleasure to thousands of people. Of these, many progress to deeper study
and try to learn all they can about the varied kinds, how to recognize
them, their scientific as well as their common names, and their relationship
each to the other. For both the beginner and the specialist this handbook
will be of great value. It is generally simple and non-technical enough
for the newcomer, but it contains much information that the specialist
will find worth while. To assist the layman, a comprehensive glossary explains
the technical terms used in the scientific descriptions. Detailed descriptions
and approximately 500 illustrations cover all the common species of Victorian
shells, together with their range and distribution. Their points of difference
are stated simply, and any feature of special interest is discussed, so
identification is made easy. A systematic list of the remaining species
is given with their authors and recorded Victorian localities. There is
a definition of each family and of the principal genera including the author
of the genus and type species.
We
have two second-hand copies, both in excellent condition, both with dust
jacket and one with protective libray plastic in as-new condition. $42.00.
The (slightly) better copy will of could be sold first. |
 |
SEA
SHELLS OF SOUTH-EAST AUSTRALIA.
Patty
Jansen.
A
nicely put together book, suggested as the the first popular colour book
ever published on shells of South-East Australia. Covers some 414 shell
species. Non-technical without being over-simplified, the book will interest
divers, marine naturalisrts and beachcombers.
Full
page colour plates with 6 to 20 shells per page. Very well laid out.
$29.95
Sorry,
no longer available. |
 |
SEASHELLS
- COLOUR GUIDE
Tucker
and Abbott.
A
handy inexpensive book to slip into the dive bag.
Softcover,
160p. Colour.
$10.00 |
 |
SHELLS
ALIVE!
Neville
Coleman.
This
is not an identification guide - indeed, it is far more useful as it describes
the biology and habitat of the various types of shells, the composition,
form, growth, and biology of shells, folowed by a description of the various
groups of shells, and a chapter opn cephalopds. and is thus far more useful.
Hardcover,
dustwrapper, 98 pages, medium format, some colour plates, excellent diagrams.
$24.00 |
 |
SEA
SHELLS OF THE WORLD - WITH VALUES
A.
Gordon Melvin. .
How
much is your Golden Cowrie worth? An exceptional guide to shells and their
value on the world market. First published in 1966 so the values are a
bit low.
Hardback,
176pages, colour, 155x215mm.
Limited
copies.
$26.00 |
 |
SHELL COLLECTING
Jerry G. Walls.
T.F.H. Publication
1981. ISBN 0-87666-631-4
Harcover, laminated boards
(no dustjacket), 94 pages, mono and colour photographs, no index.
Chapters: Why Collect?;
The Collection; Now the Shells; Reading is Fundamental; The Environmental
Question.
And on the environmentqal
bit, this is first part of the chapter: The last decade has seen the rise
of the "environmentalist generation" and an increasing number of questions
being asked about the value and possible harm of any type of natural history
collecting. Shell collecting has not been harassed as badly as hunting,
fishing, butterfly collecting, or cactus collecting, but it does have its
detractors. In a few instances shell shows have been picketed by poorly
informed environmentalists or even cancelled because of political pressure.
In many schools shell collections are frowned upon as giving youths the
wrong idea about how to enjoy nature. A few small countries have begun
to strictly regulate shell collecting in their waters, probably wisely
so, and California and Florida have taken steps in that direction.
We
have one copy left, as new condition. $15.00 |
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SPONDYLUS
Kevin
Lamprell.
Full
colour. The spiny oyster shells of the world.
Hardcover,
dustwrapper.
$32.00 |
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THE COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA
OF SHELLS
R.H. de Bruyne
Rebo Intrnational, Netherlands.
2003.
Hardcover, dustjacket, (also
with printed laminated boards) slightly less tha A4 portrait, 336pages,
index, full colour throughout, glossary, taxonomic overview, bibliography,
useful addresses.
From the fly blurb: In The
Complete Encyclopedia of Shells you will find pictures and descriptions
of a vast array of shells from all over the world. The vast majority of
the nearly 100,000 species of mollusks that occur worldwide possess a shell.
The true-to-nature photography in this encyclopedia gives you an impression
of the best-known species of shell that occur worldwide in both tropical
and temperate regions. To make searching easier, the species' groups and
the species within those groups, have been arranged alphabetically according
to their scientific genus. Particular attention has been paid to include
species that can be easily obtained by collectors and vacationers, whether
by trading, searching the beach, or purchased across the counter for a
reasonable price. The Complete Encyclopedia of Shells is a wonderful work
of reference that enables you to identify shells, be it a hobby or a course
of serious study.
An
excellent reference. Just the one, new copy, left. $42.00 |
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QUEENSLAND AND GREAT BARRIER
REEF SHELLS
O.H.Rippingale and D.F.McMichael
The Jacaranda Press, Brisbane
1961.
Hardcover, dustjacket, (Cloth
cover is also printed); A4 size, 210 pages, colour plates.
From the fly blurb: This book
deals with those members of the Phylum Mollusca which are so prolific on
the Reef and the nearby coastline that this area has become the Mecca of
shell collectors from all over the world.
The beautiful illustrations
are the work of Mr. O. H. Rippingale, a talented water-colourist and keen
conchologist, who has spent many years collecting in the area. The text
has been prepared by Dr. D. F. McMichael, Curator of Shells at the Australian
Museum in Sydney.
In a most informative introduction
Dr. McMichael describes the various classes of shells and teils us something
of the life of the animals which inhabit them —the scallops that swim away
when danger threatens, the action of the poisonous- dart of the deadly
cone shell. . . . He explains the system of classification, how scientific
names are chosen, how to collect shells, how to clean them, how to start
and arrange a shell collection. The absolute beginner will find nothing
formidable or bewildering in these pages.
The twenty-nine plates depict
in full colour about six hundred different shells. Each plate is followed
by a. detailed description of each shell telling where it was found, its
range, its size, etc. Second-hand. Just the
one copy. Book is in excellent condition but dust jacket seems to be faded
- or maybe that is the way it was. Slight scuffs. $35.00 |
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