Life in the Open Ocean: The Biology of Pelagic Species provides in-depth coverage of the different marine animal groups that form the communities inhabiting the ocean’s pelagic realm. This comprehensive resource explores the physical environment, foraging strategies, energetics, locomotion, sensory mechanisms, global and vertical distributions, special adaptations, and other characteristics of a wide array of marine taxa.
Bringing together the most recent information available in a single volume, authors Joseph J. Torres and Thomas G. Bailey cover the Cnidaria (stinging jellies), the ctenophores (comb jellies), pelagic nemerteans, pelagic annelids, crustaceans, cephalopods and pelagic gastropods, invertebrate chordates, as well as micronektonic and larger fishes such as sharks, tunas, mackerels, and mahi-mahi. Detailed chapters on each pelagic group describe internal and external anatomy, classification and history, feeding and digestion, bioluminescent systems and their function, reproduction and development, respiration, excretion, nervous systems, and more. The first book of its kind to address all of the major animal groups comprising both the swimmers and drifters of the open sea, this important resource:
Explains how different animals have adapted to live in the open-ocean environment
Covers all sensory mechanisms of animals living in the pelagic habitat, including photoreception, mechanoreception, and chemoreception
Treats the diverse micronekton assemblage as a community
Includes a thorough introduction to the physical oceanography and properties of water in the pelagic realm
Table of Contents
Physics and the Physical Environment
The Vastness of the Open Ocean
The Properties of Water
Density
Viscosity
Reynolds Number
Drag
Temperature
The Oceans and Ocean Basins
Ocean Circulation
Surface Currents: Ocean Gyres and Geostrophic Flow
Upwelling
Deep-Ocean Circulation
Water Masses
Oxygen
Pressure
Sound
Light
Absorption and Scattering
Traditional Depth Zones in the Ocean
Concluding Thoughts
Physiological Accommodation to Environmental Challenges
Temperature
The Tolerance Polygon
The Q10 Approximation
Thermal Acclimation
Climatic Adaptation in Ectotherms
Enzyme Adaptations
Lipids and Temperature
Pressure
Molecular Mechanisms of Adaptation
Oxygen
Oxygen Minima and Dead Zones
Salinity
Depth
Concluding Thoughts
The Cnidaria
Introduction
Classification and History
Subphylum Medusozoa
Subphylum Anthozoa
Subphylum Myxozoa
Hydromedusae
Scyphomedusae
Coronatae
Semaeostomae
Rhizostomae
Cubomedusae
Foraging Strategies
Cnidae and Venoms
Siphonophores
Whole Animal Organization
Life Histories
Feeding and Locomotion
Cnidaria Formerly Known as Chondrophora
The Ctenophora
Introduction
Classification and History
Morphology
Cydippida
Lobata
Cestida
Beroida
Platyctenida
Foraging Strategies
Ctenophores as Invasive Species
Locomotion and Distribution
Ctenophores and Evolution
The Nemertea
Introduction
Classification and History
Morphology
Proboscis Apparatus
Nervous and Circulatory Systems
Reproduction and Development
Foraging Strategies
The Annelida
Introduction and History
Classification
Class Polychaeta
Subclass Echiura
Subclass Errantia
Subclass Clitellata
Morphology and Anatomy
Nervous and Circulatory Systems
Reproduction and Development
Foraging Strategies
Bioluminescence
The Crustacea
Introduction
Arthropod Classification
Subphylum Crustacea
Various Crustacean Classes
Crustacean Systems
Integument and Molting
Nervous System and Sensory Mechanisms
Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
Digestive System
Ecological Factors and Distribution
The Mollusca
Introduction and Classification
The Pelagic Molluscs
Class Gastropoda
Class Cephalopoda
Molluscan Systems
Digestive Tract
Circulation and Respiration
Nervous System and Sensory Mechanisms
Locomotion and Buoyancy
Life Histories and Distribution
The Chordata
Introduction and Classification
Subphylum Tunicata
Anatomy and Life History
Tunicate Systems
Locomotion and Buoyancy
Trophic Role and Ecological Interactions
The Fishes
Introduction and History
The Deep-Sea Groups
Jawless and Jawed Fishes
Fish Systems
Basic Anatomy
Circulation, Respiration, and Excretion
Locomotion and Sensory Mechanisms
Communities
Introduction
The Gulf of Mexico, Northern California Current, Antarctic Communities
Physical and Biological Factors
Energetics
Introduction
Model Energy Budget
Metabolism and Composition of Pelagic Species
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