Books

Selection of Marine Life Books

general

	Two Oceans: A Guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa G. m. Branch, C. L. Griffiths, M. L. Branch, L. E. Beckley This unrivalled field guide covers over 1,400 species of the most common forms of marine life that inhabit our coasts'including the invertebrates, fish, reptiles, mammals birds and plants. The book documents a selection of these, concentrating on the most frequently encountered species living in the intertidal zone and in shallow subtidal waters that can readily be explored by scuba divers. There is a particular focus on open-coast beaches and rocky shores, and aquatic estuarine animals and plants are also covered. Fish that are commonly seen in tidal pools or by divers, or those frequently caught by angers are included, as are smaller rock-pool fish. It will meet the needs of scientists, students, fishermen, scuba divers and beachcombers alike, encapsulating current knowledge and enabling the identification of diverse species, from sponges to whales and from seaweeds to mangroves. Estimated price: R

	Identification Guide to the Seashells of South Africa Volume 1 Dr Johan Pieter Marais, Dr Richard (Dick) Neil Kilburn, Roland Houart, Roy P. Aiken, Koen Fraussen The purpose of the Identification guide to Seashells of South African is to bring together in a series of publications the relevant information that will enable malacologists and even the layman to identify the large majority of described South African seashells, regardless of size and rarity. This identification guide also gives an indication of their distribution and habitat. A map of the 3,000 km coastline, from the Mozambique border in the east to the mouth of the Orange River in the west, is provided. The coastline is subdivided into six geographic regions, ‘Zululand’, ‘Natal’, ‘Transkei’, ‘Eastern Cape’, ‘Southern Cape’ and ‘West Coast’, with approximate localities indicated. These regions must not be confused with present or past provincial sub divisions. Shells from the intertidal zone, the continental shelf (down to ca 250 m) and the continental slope (down to over 1000 m), within the borders of the country are included.

	the dive spots of southern africa Johan Boshoff, The Dive Spot The Dive Spots of Southern Africa is an indispensable guide for all levels of divers, broadening their horizons on places to visit and dive in southern Africa. Through extensive travel and diving, Johan and Amilda Boshoff bring you valuable information on over 300 dive spots in southern Africa. Important guidelines on each inland and coastal dive destination include accommodation, facilities, travelling tips and dive conditions. Complete with photographs and illustrated maps of each dive site, all reefs are star rated to cover depths, marine life and other essential information for the diving community.

	MARINE SPECIES GUIDE Johan Boshoff, The Dive Spot This book can be used by scuba divers and snorkellers as a quick reference guide to help them identify and learn the fish species that they will encounter underwater. The book covers all of the marine species found on the coral reefs around the world. Line drawings of fish families simplify identification underwater and general behaviour of the family along with interesting facts are listed. Information includes the common family names, aliases, biological family names, size, identification, general information, feeding preferences and where the families occur around the globe. Photographs of the most common of the species found when scuba diving or snorkelling are included and the fish families are organised for easy reference.

	Marine life cd Johan Boshoff, The Dive Spot An easy to use interface that includes a basic and advanced search to identify and to view information on specific species. Included are more than 40 dive sites with more than 300 dive spots in southern Africa. 10 Interactive dive programmes (tools) for Sport, Advanced, Nitrox and Technical divers. 7 Interactive educational games to help you to learn the family, common and biological names of the Marine Life. A help file is also included to guide you through the programme

helmut debelius range

	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.

	WORLD ATLAS OF MARINE FISHES Rudie H. Kuiter and Helmut Debelius. This enormous book is the most comprehensive of fish identification guides that I have seen. It includes over six thousand full colour photograph covring 4,200 species, and claims to be a new benchmark for fish identification. ‘Presented here are the fishes one is likely to see when diving or snorkelling, as well as those that are of interest to those who main seawater aquariums. It includes both tropical and temperate fishes, those that inhbit rocky reefs and coral reefs, inshore and offshore, and pelagics. The text is not extensive, with general information on habitat and distribution, number of species within a group, behaviour, aquarium considerations, identification between sexes and age. It is an invaluabl reference book for anyone interested in fishes. It is indeed huge, wighing in at over 3kg. Hardcover, laminated boards, just under A4 size, 720 pages full colour throughout, general contents list, scientific species name index.

	IKAN MARINE IDENTIFICATION GUIDES These superb books by Helmut Debelius and associated writers and photographers are the definitive guides for fishes and marine life, excellently produced in laminated board hard-cover. Debelius is the quintessential icythiologist, marine naturalist and photographer, and anything with his name is an icon for perfection. They are available in both English and German languages, although we only stock the English editions. Each title is ideal for identification, with generally three or four full colour photographs on each page. The caption text to each concise, with a general treatise in each order. The production of the books is excellent, and the set would grace any professional library. The books are referenced by the professional marine scientist and the keen sport diver. Helmut visits Australia frequently and collaborates with Australian Rudi Kuiter on many marine projects. Bob Halstead, Ralf Hennemann and Mark Norman have also authored excellent titles within the series.

	ASIA PACIFIC REEF GUIDE 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.

	CORALS - INDO-PACIFIC FIELD GUIDE At last - a first class reference on hard and soft corals, gorgonians and sea anemones that is both authorative and interesting. Like all IKAN series publication, it has the standard hardcover format, 304 pages, gloss art paer, and over a thousand full colour photographs. Divided into the accepted categories of genus within family within order, this is an excellent identification guide with generally three colour images per page, and commences with a general introduction to corals and coral reefs. Like all IKAN books it contains picture stories, eleven in this case, including essays on man's influence on coral colonies, the commercialism of red coral, coral farming, propagation of soft corals, corals unde the microscope, coral bleaching, coral spawning, and the obiquitous Crown-of-Thorns starfish. Covers the huge region from the Red Sea through to the west coast of the Americas.

	CRUSTACEA GUIDE OF THE WORLD Helmut DebeliuS And yet another great title in the IKAN series by Helmut Debelius. This book covers the shrimps, crabs, lobsters, mantos shrimps and amphipods, within the regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, Red Sea, Mediterranean, Pacific and Indian Ocean. A superb identification guide and reference, exceptionally well produced, in full colour. Covers aspects of behaviour and habitat

	CORAL SEA REEF GUIDE Bob Halstead This full color reef creature identification guide contains exquisite underwater photos of over 1000 marine species, from the Great Barrier Reef, Papua New Guinea, Solomon's, Vanuatu to New Caledonia. Along with the descriptive information to identify each species, the book includes interesting behavioral and habitat information. The author, Bob Halstead, a degreed educator and scientist, is a household word in the Indo-Pacific diving industry and has made more than 7000 in the Coral Sea to amass this collection of photos. Bob, winner of multiple photographic awards, has authored several books, and published dozens of magazine articles. Another superb book in the IKAN series, produced by Helmut Debelius, published by Sea Challengers.

	NUDIBRANCHS AND SEA SNAILS - Helmut Debelius From the Red Sea to South Africa and across to the West Coast of the Americas. 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.

	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.

	MEDITERRANEAN AND ATLANTIC FISH GUIDE Helmut Debelius From Spain to Turkey; from Norway to South Africa. Another brilliant title by Helmut Debelius. The impressive photographs, authoritive text and excellent layout make this a superb book, and more than adequately complements the others in his series. Species include those found off the United Kingdom coast and western Europe; the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Ascension Islands, remote Saint Helena, and St.Paul's Rocks; the west coast of Africa down to the Cape; and of course the Mediterranean. A brilliant book. Harcover, full colour, 303 pages.

	CEPHALOPODS - A WORLD GUIDE Mark Norman Octopuses, Argonauts, Cuttlefish, Squid, Nautilus. Covers the world, especially the Pacific and Indian Ocans, Atlantic, Caribbean, Arctic and Antarctic. The author is an Australian marine scientist, at Museum Victoria. This is a remarkable book or remarkable ‘alien-like' creatures that cintuinue to fascinate anyone who has made contact. Includes 35 picture stories making it an indeal book for identification and general knowledge. Red of the mythology of the Kraken, Sperm Wars, the incredible Nautilus, Mugged by a Squid, a Dutch Marriage (?), and the Ginat Cuttlefish Spawning grounds. 318 pages, full colour. Some of the photographs are truly bizarre, whilst others are photographically superb, with contributions from Rudi Kuiter, Becca Saunders, Roger Steene, Norbert Wu. A very important book, contributing so much to our knowledge of marine life.

	SHARKS & RAYS - Elasmobranch Guide of the World Ralf M. Hennemann No other book worldwide gives so much information on so many species - 240 in fact, with over 600 photographs, and 33 picture stories that have made the IKAN series so popular. Includes also for the first time deep sea species taken from submersibles in their natural habitat. A detailed and comprehensive description for every depicted species is provided. Location of each photo is indicated. Approx. 320 pages, full colour throughout. A remarkable guide; a must for the diver and marine naturalist.

	RED SEA REEF GUIDE Helmut Debelius Covers the marine life - the fishes, mollusca, invertebrates, reptiles - all species in the Red sea region, which includes the Arabian Gulf, Arabian sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aquaba. Over ten percent of the fish life here is endemic making the region one of the most fascinaating, and of course unique, in the world. And once again, this IKAN book contains over 1000 excellent colour photographs, most, but not all, by the author. And of course there are the picture stories - thirteen of them, inluding a superb ssay on marine animals as souvenirs. And why is it calleD the Red Sea - the book has the answer. Hardcover, full colour throughout, 320 pages

	WHALES AND DOLPHINS - CETACEAN WORLD GUIDE Ralf Kiefner Another excellent title in the IKAN series of mrine books. This is th ‘bible' of the cetaceans, a guide to some ninety-five species of the two suborders, Mysticeti (Baleen Whales), and Odontocti (Toothed Whales). Includes, of course, the Porpoises. And lkike all IKAN guides, there are some thirty-two ‘picture stories', covering the lighter side of Cetacean behaviour.Nedless to say, strandings, illegal killings and environmental poisoning of whales is detailed. I could see nothing on Monkey Mia, nor on the butchering of dolphin in Japan - perhaps just as well. Hardcover, 305 pages, full colour throughout, species index.

THE AUTHORS
		HELMUT DEBELIUS and RUDI KUITER Helmut Debelius (left) is proprietor of IKAN Unterwasser-Archiv, the renown publishing and underwater photograhic library, based in Frankfurt, Germany. Over the past quarter of a century he has dived and photographed the marine life in all the oceans of the world. His photographs have appeared in numerous book and magazines, and as a respected icthyologist and marine naturalist, he has authored several books in his IKAN series. He is an associated of the Senckenberg Museum and an advisor to the German Minister for Nature and Environment. Rudi Kuiter is an Australian resident - an electronic engineer, underwater photographer and also a respected icthyologist and marine nauralist, with several books and numerous articles to his name. He is a regular visitor to Indonesian waters, and of course the northern reefs of Australia. (Photo taken whilst visiting Oceans Enterprises).

		BOB HALSTEAD Inspired by the adventures of Hans and Lotte Hass, Bob leaned to dive in 1968. After emigrating to Australia from England in 1973, Bob was employed as an Education Officer in Papua New guinea - and with some luck was posted to Milne bay, one of the finest diving areas in the world. With his wife Dinah, he formed the forst sport diving operation in PNG, and over the next twenty five years thoroughly explored and photographed the marine life in what has now become known as an underwater paradise. Bob has won many underwater photography awards and his articles and photographs have appeared regularly in many international magazines and books. Bob and Dinah now live near Cairns, giving then easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea region. The beard has gone and Bob appears now more often behind a trumpet than a regulator. Previous publications include the Coral reefs of Papua New Guinea, one of the Lonely Planet guides, to PNG of course, and the New Holland publication The Dive Sites of Papua New Guinea. (Photo taken whilst diving off New Hanover, PNG)
		RALF HENNEMANN Born in Germany in 1957, he studied biology, chemistry and physics, and worked in the Baltic Sea, North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. He moved to Kiel in order to pursue a degree in Marine Biology, and launched several expeditions to the Red Sea. His main interest had always been sharks and rays, and became a a fossil collector of the teeth of elasmobranchs.
		MARK NORMAN Dr. Mark Norman is a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, and also works at Museum Victoria, with specialist interests in the biology, behaviour and evolution of cephalopods, from the pygmy octopuses to giant squid. His work is supported by the Australian Biological Resources Study. Despite not even seeing one single octopus on his first field trip to the Great Barrier Reef, he has since discovered more than one hundred new species and is a world authority on cephalopods.