Beauty of the Coral Reefs

Madrepore seabeds, coral platforms, cliffs that drop sheer into the water, channels between rocky spurs where fearsome predators and other deep-sea fish lurk. Below the surface of the sea, recesses filled with the thousands of different species of marine flora and fauna are revealed to the diver. Underwater paradises teeming with microscopic and gigantic forms of life that all share the dual goals of survival and procreation. It is possible to give a detailed portrait of each one, describing their habits, food preferences, hunting strategies and defensive techniques. The underwater marvels and biological secrets of the loveliest seas on the planet are waiting to be discovered. And that is what this book, dedicated to the seas and their inhabitants, is about. The spectacular photographs and detailed drawings are not included just to teach recognition of some of the commonest marine species, they are also aimed at aiding the understanding that all forms of life and their habitats are linked like rings in a chain, and are all equally important. Book jacket.