Changes in the Fifth Edition

The fifth edition of Marine Biology incorporates the most extensive art revision since the first edition was published in 1991. Most of the illustrations have been improved to make them clearer, more accurate, more understandable and more attractive, using space more efficiently (see below). Many photographs from previous editions have been replaced, and others digitally enhanced. The part-opening and chapter-opening photos are all new. We have also adopted a new interior design that is more reader-friendly and makes better use of space. We hope readers are as delighted with the results as we are.

As in the last edition, we have expanded our coverage of the role of microbes in marine ecosystems in response to the steady stream of relevant new research findings. This includes incorporating the finding of organelles in some bacteria in Chapter 4, a new section and summary table in Chapter 5 on prokaryote metabolism, and updated coverage of pico- and nanoplankton in Chapter 15. We have added a new section on larval ecology to Chapter 10, which also contains additional information about anthropogenic influences on global nutrient cycles and a new figure showing the phosphorus cycle, and consolidated the description of different groups of corals and the distribution of zooxanthellae with a new table in Chapter 14. We have somewhat reduced the coverage of certain classical techniques, for example in methods of water sampling and measuring primary productivity, in favor of more modern procedures methods.

As in previous editions, we have updated the text throughout to reflect recent events, new research, changes in perspective and to include information requested by reviewers. The fifth edition presents new information about the Tethyan fauna, past climate variability, hot spots in the earth’s mantle, Antarctic upwelling, nucleic acids, viruses, fisheries, cleaning associations, the taxonomic position of pogonophorans, Pfiesteria, osmotic regulation in fishes, indirect ecological interactions among species, shark attacks, bioerosion on coral reefs, coral bleaching, epipelagic cyanobacteria, endangered marine species, temperature regulation in “warm blooded” fishes, hydrothermal vents, benthic diversity on seamounts, and many other topics. As usual we have updated facts and figures, corrected errors, and reorganized some sections to improve balance and logic flow.