Sea Stars of British Columbia, Southeast Alaska, and Puget Sound

David Allinson is the president of the Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Victoria, B.C.

Lambert, curator of marine invertebrates at the Royal British Columbia
Museum and the author of a book on sea cucumbers, is well qualified to
write a handbook on sea stars. A remarkable 43 species of these colorful
and diverse marine invertebrates have been recorded in the region
examined in the book (40 others in different habitats and nearby areas
are also covered). In his introduction, Lambert provides information on
sea star anatomy, biology, and natural history, as well as a handy
taxonomic key.

The book’s illustrations are detailed and informative, but the 40
color photographs of sea stars are truly stunning. These remarkable
predators feed on a variety of other smaller invertebrates, from
plankton to mussels, sea cucumbers, sea anemones, barnacles, and snails.
One species, the long-rayed star, even has special modifications on its
spines that allow it to occasionally capture small fish.

This book successfully bridges the gap between layperson and scientist
and will appeal to a wide audience of marine life enthusiasts.