This book marks the culmination of ichthyological research extending back to 1835, when Darwin was the first to collect fishes from the Galapagos. It thoroughly documents and illustrates the fishes of the islands in the hope that the results will provide an identification guide for visitors to the Galapagos National Park, a comprehensive reference source, and a baseline for future assessment of possible environmental degradation. The book treats 437 species (some of which are newly recorded), including the 41 endemics, and all known species from freshwater and nearshore habitats and in open-ocean waters with 100 km of the islands.
1. Introduction; 2. The cartilaginous fishes; 3. The bony fishes; Appendixes; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.
'An important contribution to our growing enlightenment about the diversity of life. It is exciting to read the first account of species never before described, species that are found only in the waters of what Darwin called a living laboratory of evolution. This book is a scientific work of immense value to biologists and many others, including nonscientists interested in the Gal pagos. I was pleased to see the subject presented in the larger context of geography, evolution, oceanography, and management, and that in addition to systematic descriptions, the behavior, seasonal abundance, and natural history of the fishes are presented in a readable fashion.' From the Foreword