This guide is the only complete reference to the sharks, rays, and chimaeras found in California's waters— from the intertidal zone to 500 miles offshore.
Species accounts give information on habitat and range, natural history, interactions with humans, nomenclature, and further references
68 beautiful color illustrations show each shark, ray, and chimaera; accompanying line drawings highlight differences in teeth, underside of the head, and egg cases
Includes information on the California marine environment, ecology and conservation, and shark biology
Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras of California
About the Book
Reviews
"A compact and indispensable guide to our state’s cartilaginous fishes. Many small details such as color tabs for each order, an egg case identification key, a glossary, scientific references, and notes on natural history and human interaction make this work a useful tool for all cartilaginous fish investigators. It’s easily held in one hand, fits in a jacket pocket, and maintains readability even after an occasional ocean dunking. . . . Ebert’s history of California ichthyology and his thorough handling of sharks, rays and chimaeras make this work much more than a simple natural history guide. In my experience, it is worth reading cover to cover and delivers insight with the turn of each page."—Tom Tucker California Wild
"More comprehensive than a field guide yet more portable and rugged than a reference book, this little volume is made to go on a boat—not to be left sitting on a shelf in the office—and would prove valuable to fishers, fisheries scientists, students of ichthyology, and those generally interested in this fascinating group. . . . Highly recommended."—S. G. Tolley Choice: Current Reviews For Academic Libraries
"[a]n exceptionally comprehensive field guide"—Robert Francis High Tides
“An excellent 304 page pocket guide.”—Bob Walch Monterey County-Herald
“A prize.”—George H. Burgess The Quarterly Review Of Biology
"It should go without saying that Sharks, Rays, and Chimeras of California is – just as so many other volumes in the California Natural History Guides series are – a very valuable book indeed for naturalists far beyond the California state lines to possess in their respective libraries."—John E. Riutta The Well-Read Naturalist"Ebert has herein assembled an enormous body of knowledge about California's 43 shark species ranging from shark and human behavior to taxonomic minutiae, along with up-to-date explanations of their ecology, status and fisheries. More importantly, his Herculean effort includes the often-overlooked 25 species of skates, rays and chimaeras. That, along with the fine illustrations of Mat Squillante, should answer any question that a student, diver, natural history buff, or recreational or commercial fisher might ask."—John E. McCosker, coauthor of Great White Shark
"The timing of this publication is ideal given the status of some of California's elasmobranch populations and the need for a deeper understanding of their biology, ecology, and fishery management. The book is a comprehensive treatment—if one wants to find out the latest information on any species of shark or ray off California, this is the place to go. An outstanding work!"—Gregor M. Cailliet, Professor, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, and Director, Pacific Shark Research Center
Table of Contents
Foreword by L.J.V. Compagno
Preface
Acknowledgments
INTRODUCTION
Early Studies of California Sharks
California’s Marine Environment
Classification of Cartilaginous Fishes
What Are Cartilaginous Fishes?
Distribution
General Biology
Fisheries
Injuries from Cartilaginous Fishes
How to Use This Book
Key to Chondrichthyan Orders Found in California Waters
SPECIES ACCOUNTS
Cow and Frilled Sharks (Hexanchiformes)
Dogfish Sharks (Squaliformes)
Angel Sharks (Squatiniformes)
Horn Sharks (Heterodontiformes)
Carpet Sharks (Orectolobiformes)
Mackerel Sharks (Lamniformes)
Ground Sharks (Carcharhiniformes)
Rays (Rajiformes)
Chimaeras (Chimaeriformes)
Egg Cases
Checklist of California Chondrichthyans
Glossary
Museums and Research Institutions
References
Index