A Field Guide to Sea Stars of the Pacific Northwest

by Neil McDaniel

tagged: marine life, reference

Description

Sea stars are amongst the most common and conspicuous invertebrates that thrive in the rich waters of the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to southeast Alaska. Worldwide there are more than 2,000 different species, but no other temperate region has a greater variety and abundance of these colourful and often very large echinoderms, which are closely related to sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle stars and feather stars. An underwater photographer, journalist and naturalist with over 40 years of diving experience, Neil McDaniel provides many original field observations to accompany his remarkable images of these fascinating animals.

This durable, water-resistant 8-fold field guide describes how to identify more than 30 species likely to be encountered by beach walkers and scuba enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest. It also provides intriguing details about their behaviour, including how they move about, hunt for prey, reproduce and avoid predators. It is an ideal companion for family explorations to the sea shore, an invaluable reference in any scuba diver's kit bag and a useful addition to the home library.

About the Author

Neil McDaniel has been photographing marine life since 1969 when he learned to scuba dive while completing a degree in marine zoology at the University of British Columbia. After graduation, he worked as an ecology technician at the Pacific Environment Institute in West Vancouver and later became the editor of DIVER magazine. McDaniel currently works as a freelance photographer and cinematographer. He lives in Vancouver, BC.

Age:: 7
Grade:: 2

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Librarian review

A Field Guide to Sea Stars of the Pacific Northwest

by [ABPBC]

The Pacific Northwest is home to the largest variety and abundance of temperate-zone sea stars in the world. In this colourful, waterproof, fold-out guide, naturalist photographer and journalist Neil McDaniel describes 31 species likely to be spotted in our local waters by beach walkers and divers. Each sharply detailed image is accompanied by the sea star’s common and scientific name, a succinct description, an interesting note and information about the depth at which it is commonly found. The guide’s flip side is rich with facts about sea star anatomy, feeding habits (most are carnivores that envelope their prey in an external stomach to digest it), reproduction, locomotion (the fastest can move over 2m per minute) and predators. Includes website and book references.

Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. BC Books for BC Schools. 2011-2012.