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CONTENTS

Encyclopaedic information

• Non-technical summaries of the distinguishing characters of all species, genera and families.

• Information about the colours, habitats and abundances of all species.

• References to taxonomic detail and regional field guides.

• Chapters on 'what are species?', evolution, biogeography, the fossil record, coral reefs, the structure of corals, reproduction and dispersal.

• One in ten species is new to science. There is a new family and several new genera. This book is the outcome of comprehensive taxonomic revisions of all reef-building corals.

Nine hundred distribution maps An atlas of information and explanation

An extravaganza of colour and art A portrayal of the variety and the beauty of corals as never before. Over 3,300 underwater photographs taken by some of the best known underwater photographers from around the world. One hundred superb works of art reveal the beauty of microscopic detail.

From reefs to aquaria A history of discovery. Which comes first - the reefs or the corals? Corals in aquaria: a new path of discovery.
Reproduction and dispersal The reproductive and dispersal mechanisms of corals. How reproduction and dispersal relates to biogeographical and evolutionary issues.

Structure A non-technical account of coral morphology. A glossary explains all terminology.
Geological history An account of the 'big picture' of evolutionary change.

What are species? The nature of species, how they vary according to environment and how they change geographically. How variation in corals creates a complex of issues for taxonomy.
Evolution of species The mechanisms which control the origin and evolutionary change of species. An original concept which integrates the information and observations presented throughout the book.