1) Able, Kenneth W. and Michael P. Fahay. Ecology of Estuarine Fishes: Temperate Waters of the Western North Atlantic. 2010. Johns Hopkins University Press. Hardbound: 566 pages. Price: $120.00 U.S.
SUMMARY: This comprehensive reference book details the life history and ecology of the fish species that occupy the estuarine and coastal habitats along the eastern United States and Canada.
Kenneth W. Able and Michael P. Fahay draw on their own studies and other research to summarize and synthesize all the known facts about the ecology of 93 important species of fish that inhabit the temperate waters of the Western Atlantic. Presented in individual chapters, the species accounts include complete information about each fish's distribution, habitat use, reproduction, development, migratory patterns, prey, and predators and other natural enemies. The species accounts are illustrated and include lifecycle calendars, tables, and charts highlighting key information. Introductory chapters provide the general characteristics of the temperate ichthyofauna and explain the authors' methodology.
Featuring new information based on more than 76,000 samples, novel long—term data, and an exhaustive analysis of more than 1,800 references, this invaluable resource is a complete compendium on estuarine fishes of the Western North Atlantic.
RECOMMENDATION: For those with a technical interest in fish biology.
2) Condit, Richard, Rolando Perez, and Nefertaris Daguerre. Trees of Panama and Costa Rica. 2010. Princeton University Press. Paperback: 494 pages. Price: $45.00 U.S.
SUMMARY: This is the first field guide dedicated to the diverse tree species of Panama and Costa Rica. Featuring close to 500 tropical tree species, Trees of Panama and Costa Rica includes superb color photos, abundant color distribution maps, and concise descriptions of key characteristics, making this guide readily accessible to botanists, biologists, and casual nature lovers alike.
The invaluable introductory chapters discuss tree diversity in Central America and the basics of tree identification. Family and species accounts are treated alphabetically and describe family size, number of genera and species, floral characteristics, and relative abundance. Color distribution maps supplement the useful species descriptions, and facing-page photographic plates detail bark, leaf, flower, or fruit of the species featured. Helpful appendices contain a full glossary, a comprehensive guide to leaf forms, and a list of families not covered.
-The only tree guide to cover both Panama and Costa Rica together
-Covers almost 500 species
-438 high-resolution color photos
-480 color distribution maps and two general maps
-Concise and jargon-free descriptions of key characteristics for every species
-Full glossary and guide to leaf forms included
RECOMMENDATION: For those with an interest in Neotropical botany.