The Octocoral Fauna of the Gulf

Abstract

Approximately 3,000 species of Octocorallia are distributed worldwide (Williams and Cairns 2005 ; Daly et al. 2007 ) . New species, even genera and families, continue to be described especially from the deep-sea environment and the Indo-Pacifi c. A total number of 46 octocoral families (van Ofwegen and McFadden 2010 ) are described of which 29 (excluding sea pens) are in the order Alcyonacea; and 23 of them are found in the warm, shallow waters of the Red Sea, Indian, and Pacifi c Ocean. The subclass octocorallia (Alcyonaria) has three major orders: Helioporacea (blue coral), Alcyonacea (soft corals and gorgonians) and Pennatulacea (sea pens), only the two latter have been recorded in the Persian Gulf (Samimi -Namin and van Ofwegen 2009a ) . Coral Reefs of the Gulf: Adaptation to Climatic Extremes is a complete review and reference for scientists, engineers and students concerned with the geology, biology or engineering aspects of coral reefs in the Middle East. It provides for the first time a complete review of both the geology and biology of all extant coral areas in the Gulf, the water body between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. In summer, this area is the hottest sea with abundant coral growth on earth and already today exhibits a temperature that is predicted to occur across the topical ocean in 2100. Thus, by studying the Gulf today, much can be learned about tomorrow's world and the capability of coral reefs to adapt to climatic extremes. This volume provides the most authoritative and up-to-date review of the coral reefs in the Gulf. It can be used as a volume of general reference or as a textbook treating recent coral reefs. Written by local and international experts, the text is richly illustrated and will remain a standard reference for the region for decades to come. Contributions stretch from climatology through geology, biology, ecological modelling and fisheries science to practical conservation aspects. The book is useful for the technical expert and casual reader alike.