Biology and Ecology of Venomous Marine Cnidarians

Seas and oceans cover 71 % of the earth’s surface and they are home to 80% of all life found on the planet . Among the different components of marine life, the phylum Cnidaria (formerly Coelenterata) has been reported to be responsible for more envenomations than any other marine phylum. It is believed that 2% of its known 11000 species are venomous to humans. Incidents caused by jellyfish are common all around the globe, with serious manifestations and occasional deaths reported in some  countries. The Australian box jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri , has been reported to be  very dangerous to humans, as contact with its tentacles can provoke immediate cardiovascular collapse and death within minutes. Though other volumes on venomous marine fauna are available, this is the first comprehensive book focusing on venomous marine cnidarians. It is a valuable text-cum-reference resource for researchers, teachers and students of various disciplines, including fisheries science, marine biotechnology and marine biology and for university and college libraries. It is also a useful guide for beachgoers, divers, physicians and environmentalists.

• Cnidarians
• Coral reefs
• Venom
• Marine natural products
• Nematocysts
• Fish and Wildlife Biology
• marine and freshwater sciences

• Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Thoothukudi, India

  Ramasamy Santhanam

Dr. Ramasamy Santhanam is the former Dean of the Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (now the Tamil Nadu Dr.J.Jayalalithaa Fisheries University), India. He has 50 years of teaching and research experience in marine sciences and his fields of specialization include marine biology and fisheries environment. He is currently serving as a Fisheries Expert for various government and nongovernment organizations in India and abroad. Dr. Santhanam has published 29 books on various aspects of marine life, marine plankton and aquaculture. He was a member of the American Fisheries Society, United States; World Aquaculture Society, United States; Global Fisheries Ecosystem Management Network (GFEMN), United States; and the IUCN’s Commission on Ecosystem Management, Switzerland.

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