Includes bibliographical references (page 112) and index.

Acknowledgments and photo credits -- Introduction -- Glossary -- :pictorial key to phyla -- Phylum porifera -- sponges -- Phylum cnidaria -- hydro ids, anemones, jellyfish, gorgonians, and corals -- Phylum ctenophora -- comb jellies -- Phylum platyhelminthes -- flatworms -- Phylum annelida -- segmented worms -- Phylum molusca -- chitons, snails, nudibranchs, bivalves, squid, octopus -- Phylum arthropoda -- barnacles, shrimps, crabs, lobster -- Phylum bryozoa -- moss animals -- Phylum brachiopoda -- lampshells -- Phylum phoronida -- phoronida -- Phylum echinodermata -- feather stars, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, sea stars, and brittle stars -- Phylum chordata -- tunicates -- Suggested reference -- Index. For 34 years as a marine biologist for the California Department of Fish and Game, Gotshall observed species of subtidal marine invertebrates and their communities. Here he offers short descriptions and color photographs of 286 species to help non-scientists recognize and identify animals they observe or photography while diving or tide-pooling. The arrangement is by phylum. To the 1994 edition, he has added 33 new species, and notes that there have been sharp declines in populations over. The past decade, especially of abalone and particularly in southern California, apparently due to a disease called withering syndrome. Annotation 2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).