Life in the Open Ocean: The Biology of Pelagic Species

Life in the Open Ocean: The Biology of Pelagic Species is a comprehensive resource that explores the physical environment, foraging strategies, energetics, locomotion, sensory mechanisms, global and vertical distributions, special adaptations, and other characteristics of marine taxa. It covers the Cnidaria, ctenophores, pelagic nemerteans, pelagic annelids, crustaceans,cephalopods, and pelagic gastropods, invertebrate chordates, micronektonic and larger fishes, and sharks, tunas, mackerels, and mahi-mahi.

Format: Hardback
Length: 1008 pages
Publication date: 17 February 2022
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

The open ocean is a vast and mysterious realm, home to a diverse array of marine life that has evolved to survive in its harsh and unpredictable environment. In Life in the Open Ocean: The Biology of Pelagic Species, authors Joseph J. Torres and Thomas G. Bailey offer an in-depth exploration of the biology of these pelagic species, covering a wide range of marine animal groups that inhabit the open waters.

The book begins by providing an overview of the physical environment of the open ocean, including its temperature, salinity, and pressure, as well as the unique challenges and opportunities that it presents for marine life. The authors then delve into the foraging strategies of pelagic species, exploring the various techniques they use to locate and capture prey, such as echolocation, camouflage, and active hunting.

Next, the book explores the energetics of pelagic species, examining how they obtain and use energy to sustain their life processes. The authors discuss the role of photosynthesis in pelagic organisms, as well as the importance of nutrient cycling and the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems.

The authors also examine the locomotion and sensory mechanisms of pelagic species, discussing how they navigate the open ocean and detect their environment. They explore the use of bioluminescence in pelagic organisms, as well as the various adaptations that they have developed to survive in the open ocean, such as streamlined bodies, antifreeze proteins, and heat-resistant cells.

Global and vertical distributions of pelagic species are also covered in the book, with an emphasis on the patterns and trends in their distribution across different ocean regions. The authors discuss the factors that influence the distribution of pelagic species, such as temperature, salinity, currents, and nutrient availability, as well as the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

Special adaptations of pelagic species are also explored in detail, with an emphasis on the unique features that allow them to thrive in the open ocean. The authors discuss the use of symbiotic relationships in pelagic organisms, such as zooxanthellae and phytoplankton, as well as the role of bioluminescence in communication and predator avoidance.

In addition to covering the biology of pelagic species, the book also includes a thorough introduction to the physical oceanography and properties of water in the pelagic realm. The authors discuss the structure and function of the open ocean, as well as the processes that drive ocean currents and the formation of marine ecosystems.

Life in the Open Ocean: The Biology of Pelagic Species is an excellent resource for students and researchers in biology, biological oceanography, and marine science. The book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the biology of pelagic species, covering a wide range of topics and providing detailed information on the adaptations, foraging strategies, and other characteristics of these fascinating organisms.

Overall, Life in the Open Ocean: The Biology of Pelagic Species is a valuable addition to the literature on marine biology and ecology. It is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the open ocean and the diverse array of life that inhabits it.

Weight: 2088g
Dimension: 179 x 250 x 57 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781405145299