Starfish
Starfish

Author: John M. Lawrence

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 2013-03-15

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 1421407876

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The most complete illustrated scientific review of starfish ever published. Among the most fascinating animals in the world’s oceans are the more than 2,000 species of starfish. Called “Asteroids” by scientists who study them (after their taxonomic name, Asteroidea)—or sea stars in some parts of the world—starfish are easily recognized because of their star-like form. Starfish is a comprehensive volume devoted to the integrative and comparative biology and ecology of starfish. Written by the world's leading experts on starfish, the integrative section covers topics such as reproduction, developmental biology and ecology, larval ecology, and the ecological role of starfish as a group. The comparative section considers the biology and ecology of important species such as Acanthaster planci, Heliaster helianthoides, Asterias amurensis, and Pisaster ochraceus. Replete with detailed, scientifically accurate illustrations and the latest research findings, Starfish examines the important role of these invertebrates in the marine environment, a topic of great interest because of their impact on the food web. As major predators that are able to evert their stomach and wrap it around their prey, starfish can have a significant impact on commercial fisheries. Starfish are of interest not only to echinoderm specialists but also to marine biologists and invertebrate zoologists in general and, increasingly, to the medical community. A starfish’s ability to regenerate body parts is almost unequalled in the animal world, making them ideal models for basic science studies on the topic. Contributors: Charles D. Amsler, Bill J. Baker, Mario Barahona, Michael F. Barker, Maria Byrne, Juan Carlos Castilla, Katharina Fabricius, Patrick Flammang, Andrew S. Gale, Carlos F. Gaymer, Jean-François Hamel, Elise Hennebert, John H. Himmelman, Michel Jangoux, John M. Lawrence, Tatiana Manzur, James B. McClintock, Bruce A. Menge, Annie Mercier, Anna Metaxas, Sergio A. Navarette, Timothy D. O’Hara, John S. Pearse, Carlos Robles, Eric Sanford, Robert E. Scheibling, Richard L. Turner, Carlos Renato R. Ventura, Kristina M. Wasson, Stephen A. Watts

Acanthaster Planci
Acanthaster Planci

Author: Charles Birkeland

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 1990-09-24

Total Pages: 364

ISBN-13: 9780849365997

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The purpose of this book is to provide an organized compilation of information and techniques for all aspects of the biology and management of the Acanthaster planci species. This extraordinary coral predator has greater effects on coral reef communities than any other animal species. It can cause mortality of hard corals over large areas and have indirect effects that extend through the trophic levels of the reef community. This volume features A planci as an animal with a unique combination of morphological, physiological, and life history characteristics that contribute to its potential for major ecological impacts. It provides detailed techniques for disparate aspects of research and management (e.g., raising the animal through all life history stages, calculating growth curves, and treating victims of spinings). Chapters cover methods for surveys, tagging, and control of A. planci, in addition to an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The extensive subject index includes more than 1,000 references to A. planci and a BASIC program for estimating coral recovery after predation by the starfish. Acanthaster planci: Major Management Problem of Coral Reefs is an essential reference for all coral reef managers and researchers.

Biology, Ecology and Management of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
Biology, Ecology and Management of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

Author: Morgan Pratchett

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9783038426035

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Annotation Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster spp.) are a major contributor to ongoing coral loss on reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific, thereby jeopardizing productivity and biodiversity of these important marine ecosystems. Controlling outbreak populations of Acanthaster spp. is considered one of the most promising strategies to halt or reverse widespread declines in live coral cover. Effective management of crown-of-thorns starfish is, however, conditional on improved understanding of their biology and ecology. While crown-of-thorns starfish are arguably the most extensively studied of any single coral reef species, there remain considerable gaps in our knowledge of their basic biology and ecology. This edited monograph presents the latest research and significant advances in understanding and managing outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish.

Coral Reef Studies of Japan
Coral Reef Studies of Japan

Author: Akira Iguchi

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-02-15

Total Pages: 183

ISBN-13: 9811064733

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This book comprehensively introduces recent important studies on coral reefs from various research fields including biology, ecology, chemistry, the earth sciences, and conservation studies. Coral reef is one of the important ecosystems characterized by high biodiversity and the beauty. Coral reefs around Japan are located at the northern limit, composed by mainly fringing reefs along archipelago, and easily impacted by human activities. Thus, coral reef studies around Japan have provided important knowledge on basic sciences and conservation studies regarding coral reef ecosystem. This book would contribute to systematic understanding of vulnerable coral reef ecosystems due to human activities in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean regions. The conservation efforts provide good reference to graduate and undergraduate students, and researchers in marine sciences, as well as those who are involved in coral reef studies.