The Biology of Sharks and Rays

The Biology of Sharks and Rays
Author: A. Peter Klimley
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 525
Release: 2013-07-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0226442497

The Biology of Sharks and Rays is a comprehensive resource on the biological and physiological characteristics of the cartilaginous fishes: sharks, rays, and chimaeras. In sixteen chapters, organized by theme, A. Peter Klimley covers a broad spectrum of topics, including taxonomy, morphology, ecology, and physiology. For example, he explains the body design of sharks and why the ridged, toothlike denticles that cover their entire bodies are present on only part of the rays’ bodies and are absent from those of chimaeras. Another chapter explores the anatomy of the jaws and the role of the muscles and teeth in jaw extension, seizure, and handling of prey. The chapters are richly illustrated with pictures of sharks, diagrams of sensory organs, drawings of the body postures of sharks during threat and reproductive displays, and maps showing the extent of the species’ foraging range and long-distance migrations. Each chapter commences with an anecdote from the author about his own personal experience with the topic, followed by thought-provoking questions and a list of recommended readings in the scientific literature. The book will be a useful textbook for advanced ichthyology students as well as an encyclopedic source for those seeking a greater understanding of these fascinating creatures.

Rays of the World

Rays of the World
Author: Peter Last
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Total Pages: 801
Release: 2016-12
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0643109145

Rays are among the largest fishes and evolved from shark-like ancestors nearly 200 million years ago. They share with sharks many life history traits: all species are carnivores or scavengers; all reproduce by internal fertilisation; and all have similar morphological and anatomical characteristics, such as skeletons built of cartilage. Rays of the World is the first complete pictorial atlas of the world’s ray fauna and includes information on many species only recently discovered by scientists while undertaking research for the book. It includes all 26 families and 633 valid named species of rays, but additional undescribed species exist for many groups. Rays of the World features a unique collection of paintings of all living species by Australian natural history artist Lindsay Marshall, compiled as part of a multinational research initiative, the Chondrichthyan Tree of Life Project. Images sourced from around the planet were used by the artist to illustrate the fauna. This comprehensive overview of the world’s ray fauna summarises information such as general identifying features and distributional information about these iconic, but surprisingly poorly known, fishes. It will enable readers to gain a better understanding of the rich diversity of rays and promote wider public interest in the group. Rays of the World is an ideal reference for a wide range of readers, including conservationists, fishery managers, scientists, fishers, divers, students and book collectors.

New Zealand's Great White Sharks

New Zealand's Great White Sharks
Author: Alison Ballance
Publisher:
Total Pages: 96
Release: 2017-04-17
Genre:
ISBN: 9780947503185

Great white sharks are one of the world¿s most impressive and familiar predators ¿ but until recently we knew surprisingly little about them. This book changes all that, opening a window into the amazing world of New Zealand¿s great whites. Join Kiwi shark scientists Malcolm Francis and Clinton Duffy as they track great white sharks from the cool waters of southern New Zealand to the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical Pacific. Discover how electronic tags have revolutionised the study of great whites, revealing that these mighty ocean predators are international travellers that dive to depths of more than a kilometre as they journey to and from shark hotspots at Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. Visit Australia¿s shark nurseries, meet the Stewart Island shark gang and join the teenage great white sharks, Nicholas Cage and Pip, on their travels. Award-winning natural history writer and broadcaster Alison Ballance has been following the New Zealand great white shark project for the last decade. She takes readers out on a research boat to experience first-hand the thrill of encountering and tagging a great white shark, follows the excitement ¿ and frustration ¿ of tracking their movements around the southwest Pacific, and uses science to paint a portrait of great white sharks as you¿ve never understood them before. Find out what pieces of the great white shark puzzle have been solved, and what questions remain unanswered, in a science adventure book for young adults and anyone with an interest in sharks and the sea.

Field Guide to Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras of the East Coast of North America

Field Guide to Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras of the East Coast of North America
Author: David A. Ebert
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 432
Release: 2024-05-07
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0691206384

The definitive field guide to all the sharks, rays and chimaeras of eastern North America The waters off the East Coast of North America are home to an amazing variety of sharks, rays and chimaeras. This groundbreaking, comprehensive and easy-to-use field guide covers all 173 species found along the eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada, including Bermuda and the Bahamas, and extending into the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula. These are all the species that are encountered in the shallow waters of estuaries and coasts and in the open ocean, including rarely seen deepsea species. Lavishly illustrated throughout, this must-have guide includes detailed species accounts describing key identification features, habitat, biology and status. It also features illustrated key guides that enable users to accurately identify species, comparison plates of similar species, dentition plates and illustrations of egg cases, where known. This an essential guide for fisheries management, trade regulation and shark conservation. The first field guide to cover all 173 species Features hundreds of color illustrations and photos Describes key features, habitat, biology and status Includes depth guides, at-a-glance icons and distribution maps Offers illustrated key guides, species comparisons and dentition plates

Sharks and Their Relatives II

Sharks and Their Relatives II
Author: Jeffrey C. Carrier
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 748
Release: 2010-03-09
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1420080482

Since the award-winning first volume, The Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives, published in 2004, the field has witnessed tremendous developments in research, rapid advances in technology, and the emergence of new investigators beginning to explore issues of biodiversity, distribution, physiology, and ecology in ways that eluded more traditional