Volume 65 Published on 15 December 2006
The freshwaters of the Comoros, Mascarenes and Seychelles (three archipelagos of the Western Indian Ocean) harbour a high biodiversity: 61 fish and 22 decapod crustacean species are known, 12 of which are endemic to this area of the world. The first chapter of this book is dedicated to the history of the various scientific expeditions, inventories and species introductions that have occurred since the 18th century. This is followed by separate accounts of the decapod crustaceans and fish, each of which begins with a key to the identification of species. Each species is then described in a separate entry, with a photograph or drawing, detailing its biology and distribution in the Western Indian Ocean. The aim of this book is to serve as a contribution to the conservation and management of aquatic communities, but it is also aimed at natural scientists, teachers, researchers, fishermen, and ornamental fish-keepers.
