A Photographic Guide to Seashore Life in the North Atlantic: Canada to Cape Cod

by J. Duane Sept

Overview

The tides of the North Atlantic are the world's highest, and they reveal a world of amazing seashore life—from jellies and sea anemones, to clams and crabs, to seaweeds and lichens. With some 300 crisp, vibrant color photographs and brief, precise descriptions, this field guide makes it easier than ever to identify Atlantic seashore life from Canada to Cape Cod. Duane Sept covers more than 225 common intertidal species found on rocky shores, sandy shores, mud beaches, and floating docks, and explains the natural history of these specialized organisms. He also describes tidal habitats, tells how to explore the seashore in a safe and environmentally responsible way, and provides extensive information on some of the best places in the North Atlantic to view seashore life. Both casual and dedicated beachcombers will find this a handy, enjoyable, and reliable guide.

• The first full-color photographic guide to North Atlantic seashore life
• Includes some 300 color photographs and illustrations
• Makes species identification quick and easy
• Covers more than 225 common intertidal species found from Canada to Cape Cod
• Covers rocky shores, sandy shores, mud beaches, and floating docks
• Tells how to explore safely and in an environmentally responsible way
• Provides extensive information on some of the best places to visit in the Atlantic Northeast

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691133195
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	04/06/2008
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	449,787
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

J. Duane Sept is a biologist, writer, and award-winning photographer. His many books include The Beachcomber's Guide to Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest and The Beachcomber's Guide to Seashore Life of California.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 10
Understanding Tides 11
Understanding Intertidal Habitats 15
Sand Beaches 16
Mud Flats 16
Rocky Shores 16
Intertidal Zones 17
Micro-habitats 19
Harvesting Shellfish 19
Protecting Our Marine Resources 21
Observing Intertidal Life 21
A Note of Caution 21
The Scientific Classification of Living Things 22
Getting the Most out of This Guide 24

INTERTIDAL CREATURES
KINGDOM Animalia
Sponges
PHYLUM Porifera 26
Sea Anemones, Jellies, and Allies
PHYLUM Cnidaria 30
Comb Jellies
PHYLUM Ctenophora 40
Marine Worms
PHYLA Platyhelminthes, Nemertea,
Annelida, and Echiura 43
Moss Animals
PHYLUM Bryozoa 57
Molluscs
PHYLUM Mollusca 60
Arthropods
PHYLUM Arthropoda 110
Spiny-skinned Animals
PHYLUM Echinodermata 128
Tunicates (Non-vertebrate Cordates)
PHYLUM Chordata 138
Fishes (Vertebrate Cordates)
PHYLUM Chordata 142

INTERTIDAL PLANTS & FUNGI
KINGDOMS Plantae & Fungi
Green Algae
PHYLUM Chlorophyta 147
Brown Algae
PHYLUM Ochrophyta 153
Red Algae
PHYLUM Rhodophyta 163
Flowering Plants
PHYLUM Anthophyta 173
Lichens
PHYLUM Ascomycotina 177

SELECTED SITES FOR EXPLORATION 181
Map of the Atlantic Northeast 182
Nova Scotia 183
Prince Edward Island 186
New Brunswick 187
Newfoundland, and Labrador 190
Maine 191
New Hampshire 195
Massachusetts 196

SELECTED REFERENCES 200
GLOSSARY 202
ILLLUSTRATIONS FOR IDENTIFICATION 205
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 213
INDEX 214

What People are Saying About This

Petersen

A worthwhile addition to the library of anyone who is interested in marine life or who spends time walking shorelines. I'd buy it for the high quality photographs alone!
— Wayne R. Petersen, author of "Birds of New England" and "Birds of Massachusetts"

From the Publisher

"A worthwhile addition to the library of anyone who is interested in marine life or who spends time walking shorelines. I'd buy it for the high quality photographs alone!"—Wayne R. Petersen, author of Birds of New England and Birds of Massachusetts

Editorial Reviews

"Biologist, writer, and photographer Sept has authored an excellent book that details various organisms inhabiting the northeastern coast of North America. The introduction, written in an easy-to-understand language, describes tides and their formation, various intertidal habitats including sand beaches, mud flats, rocky shores, intertidal zones, and microhabitats. . . . Excellent black-and-white illustrations of common animals for identification add to the allure. This book will serve as a valuable guide to any person visiting a beach or students and scientists in the field looking to identify common organisms on the beach."—-A.K. Volety, Choice

"This is an elegantly simple and very nicely produced book that will be widely appreciated and used by shoreline ecologists and serious beach-combers interested in the fauna and flora of the Northern Atlantic coastline from Cape Cod to the Canadian Maritimes. . . . This is a publication that all North Atlantic beachcombers will want to own."—-Mark Bertness, Quarterly Review of Biology

"For $20 this book is a great buy. Useful and useable, it will be an asset to any naturalist who wants to understand shore life in full."—-Roy John, Canadian Field-Naturalist

From the Publisher

For $20 this book is a great buy. Useful and useable, it will be an asset to any naturalist who wants to understand shore life in full.

Canadian Field-Naturalist - Roy John

This is an elegantly simple and very nicely produced book that will be widely appreciated and used by shoreline ecologists and serious beach-combers interested in the fauna and flora of the Northern Atlantic coastline from Cape Cod to the Canadian Maritimes. . . . This is a publication that all North Atlantic beachcombers will want to own.

Quarterly Review of Biology - Mark Bertness

Biologist, writer, and photographer Sept has authored an excellent book that details various organisms inhabiting the northeastern coast of North America. The introduction, written in an easy-to-understand language, describes tides and their formation, various intertidal habitats including sand beaches, mud flats, rocky shores, intertidal zones, and microhabitats. . . . Excellent black-and-white illustrations of common animals for identification add to the allure. This book will serve as a valuable guide to any person visiting a beach or students and scientists in the field looking to identify common organisms on the beach.

Choice - A.K. Volety

For $20 this book is a great buy. Useful and useable, it will be an asset to any naturalist who wants to understand shore life in full.
— Roy John

Canadian Field-Naturalist

This is an elegantly simple and very nicely produced book that will be widely appreciated and used by shoreline ecologists and serious beach-combers interested in the fauna and flora of the Northern Atlantic coastline from Cape Cod to the Canadian Maritimes. . . . This is a publication that all North Atlantic beachcombers will want to own.
— Mark Bertness

Quarterly Review of Biology

Biologist, writer, and photographer Sept has authored an excellent book that details various organisms inhabiting the northeastern coast of North America. The introduction, written in an easy-to-understand language, describes tides and their formation, various intertidal habitats including sand beaches, mud flats, rocky shores, intertidal zones, and microhabitats. . . . Excellent black-and-white illustrations of common animals for identification add to the allure. This book will serve as a valuable guide to any person visiting a beach or students and scientists in the field looking to identify common organisms on the beach.
— A.K. Volety

Choice