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Caribbean Reef Plants: How to use this Field Guide

Keys: The main tools for identifying unknown specimens (aside from the obvious, i.e., matching the illustration to the specimen) are the dichotomous keys, starting with the key leading to the major phyla or evolutionary groups. Differences at the levels of classes, orders and families are often based on reproductive stages that are rarely found or difficult to interpret. To make Caribbean Reef Plants as user-friendly as possible, we have constructed artificial keys based primarily on vegetative characters that are readily observed. For each phylum we have provided a key to the included genera. If a genus is represented by more than one species, a key to those species is given at the beginning of that generic section. When keys are lengthy, a double numbering system is utilized, with each number in parentheses (following the initial number) representing the entry that led to that selection. This double numbering system enables the user to work the key backwards as well as the standard method of keying forward.

Illustrations: Caribbean Reef Plants features underwater color photographs of each plant; where appropriate, a split color plate is presented showing the habit as well as anatomically important features (such as reproductive phases) that are better illustrated with a photograph than with a drawing. The photographs were selected to emphasize the characters that facilitate visual identification. A specimen can thus be "picture-keyed" initially, then positively identified by using the dichotomous keys in conjunction with the drawings. Anatomical and morphological drawings were included to allow the user to interpret key diagnostic features. Anatomical structures were illustrated (by DSL), in most cases from the actual specimens photographed, using a Zeiss Universal microscope and a Wild M-5 dissection microscope equipped with drawing tube and camera-lucida, respectively.

Descriptions: The name of each species is given with the reference to its original publication. Whenever appropriate, the basionym (original name) is listed below the species. An asterisk following a scientific name indicates additional information (synonyms, nomenclatural notes or other pertinent information) listed in the Appendix. We have incorporated the most recent taxonomic treatments, thus resulting in significant departures from Taylor (1960). Descriptions are as short and concise as possible, giving typical shape, size-range, color, blade features, stipe (when present) and holdfast characteristics. Specialized terminology has been kept to a minimum to facilitate use by colleagues in other disciplines. Terms that do not have a general-dictionary equivalent, but are necessary for adequate description (e.g., moniliform, cervicorn), are defined where they first occur in the text or in the glossary at the back. Dimensions are often given in the format (20–)30–50(–80), indicating that the normal range is from 30–50 but that individuals may be found with measurements as low as 20 or as high as 80. Anatomical structure is also detailed. Morphological/anatomical categories are headed in italics to aid in scanning major characters in the descriptions. Reproductive features are included when they aid in identification. Abundance, as used in this book, refers to the likelihood of encountering a given species. It is expressed as common (frequently observed), locally abundant (patchy, but abundant when found), uncommon (not normally encountered) or rare (seldom located). Habitat information is provided, describing the environs where each entity typically occurs, including substrate type and depth range.

Reef Phenomena: During this field-guide project, we observed and photographed many interesting ecological phenomena, some of which have led to experimental studies and other publications. Rather than leaving blank spaces across from the dichotomous keys or at the ends of sections, we have included such "phenomena" as sidebars, with appropriate captions and references, in the hope of stimulating further ecological interest.



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