Marine Zoology: Classification, Ecology, and Conservation of Ocean Life

BLACK AND WHITE VERSIONThe ocean is the origin of all animal life - and understanding it has never been more urgent.Marine Zoology: Classification, Ecology, and Conservation of Ocean Life is a comprehensive, university-level guide to the animals that inhabit the world's seas, oceans, and coastal waters. From microscopic zooplankton drifting in the open ocean to blue whales navigating hemisphere-spanning migration routes, this book examines the full breadth of marine animal diversity with scientific rigor, ecological depth, and conservation purpose.Spanning 17 chapters organised into four parts, the book covers: - The foundations of marine life - ocean habitats, ecological zones, food webs, and the principles of adaptation that allow animals to thrive from the intertidal to the hadal deep- Marine invertebrates in full - Porifera, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, marine worms, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata, and the minor but evolutionarily critical phyla including Hemichordata and Tunicata- Marine vertebrates - jawless and cartilaginous fishes, bony fishes including the coelacanths, marine reptiles, seabirds, and marine mammals, each examined through classification, physiology, ecology, and conservation- Ecology and human impact - marine productivity, coral reef ecosystems, the full range of human pressures on ocean life, and the science and governance of marine conservation and sustainable useEach chapter applies a consistent analytical framework linking classification and anatomy to ecological function, evolutionary history, and conservation status, giving students and readers a coherent way of understanding every group they encounter.Written in clear, precise academic prose and carefully balanced between detailed scientific content and accessibility, this book is designed for undergraduate students in marine biology, zoology, ecology, and environmental science. It is equally valuable as a reference for educators, early-career researchers, and science enthusiasts seeking a serious and up-to-date engagement with the living ocean.Classifications and species diversity figures are aligned with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS, 2025). Conservation assessments reflect current IUCN Red List status and the latest international policy developments including the 2022 Kunming-Montreal 30x30 commitment and the 2023 High Seas Treaty.The ocean sustains life on Earth. This book explains the life that sustains the ocean.