Sponges


Book Description

We might think of sponges as bathroom objects but the real living animals are far more interesting. They come in all shapes and sizes, occur in all oceans of the world, and have amazing lives. Sponges have lived in our oceans for 600 million years. Ancient forms even built reefs bigger than the Great Barrier Reef. Today, sponges help clean our oceans, are experts are chemical warfare and can rebuild themselves after being torn apart. Some even live for 2000 years. There is still much to learn about the diversity and biology of sponges in southern Australian waters, with many species still waiting for formal scientific description. This guide introduces naturalists, beachcombers, divers and others to sponge species commonly encountered in southern Australia.







A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia


Book Description

A comprehensive guide to identifying all 379 species of mammals known in Australia. Provides concise and accurate details of the appearance, diagnostic features, distribution of habitat and key behavioural characteristics of all mammals known to have occurred in Australia or its waters since European settlement.




California Marine Life


Book Description

California Marine Life is an invaluable guide to common marine species and various habitats found along the California coast. It is fully illustrated with brilliant color photographs of the fantastic creatures that live in these waters.




Australian Marine Life


Book Description

Many people recognise the beauty and diversity of plant and animal communities in Australia's tropical seas, particularly those along the Great Barrier Reef. By contrast, relatively few know about the immense variety along the southern half of the continent. Now in soft cover, this book describes 1,450 of the most commonly seen plants and animals of the region and includes notes on their habitat and distribution; 1,500 full colour photographs and a wealth of information for academic biologists, divers, beachcombers




Tropical Marine Wildlife of Australia


Book Description

Tropical Marine Life of Australia is the definitive guide to tropical Australian and central Indo-Pacific marine life, covering over 2,400 species of animals and plants. Groups covered include seaweeds, corals, molluscs, crustaceans, fishes, reptiles and mammals. The characteristics of each species are outlined, including distinguishing features, distribution and rarity. This indispensable guide covers all common species likely to be encountered by divers and shoreline ramblers, and also many of the more rare species or those with an unusual appearance or lifestyle.




A Field Guide to Spiders of Australia


Book Description

Australians have a loveā€“hate relationship with spiders. Some spiders, such as the Redback and the Sydney Funnelweb, inspire fear. Yet Peacock Spiders, with their colourful fan-spreading courtship dances, have won rapturous appreciation worldwide. A Field Guide to Spiders of Australia uses photographs of living animals to help people identify many of the spiders they encounter. Featuring over 1300 colour photographs, it is the most comprehensive account of Australian spiders ever published. With more than two-thirds of Australian spiders yet to be scientifically described, this book sets the scene for future explorations of our extraordinary Australian fauna. This field guide will be enjoyed by naturalists and anyone with an interest in learning more about Australia's incredible arachnids.




The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia


Book Description

As fascinating as they are beautiful, butterflies are a pleasure to watch and an important group of invertebrates to study. This second edition of the award-winning book The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia is a fully updated guide to all butterfly species on Australia's mainland and remote islands. Written by one of Australia's leading lepidopterists, the book is stunningly illustrated with colour photographs, many of which are new, of each of the 435 currently recognised species. There is also a distribution map and flight chart for each species on the Australian mainland, together with information on similar species, variation, behaviour, habitat, status and larval food plants. The introduction to the book covers adult structure, higher classification, distribution and habitats, as well as life cycle and behaviour. A new chapter on collecting and preserving butterflies is included. There is also an updated checklist of all species, a glossary, a bibliography and indexes of common and scientific names.




Australia


Book Description

Readers will want this easy-to-carry, entertainingly written, beautifully illustrated book as a constant companion on any journey to Australia. It includes a section on the country's famous coral reefs and information on kangaroos, wombats, and other unique denizens of the Land Down Under. Full color.