THE PRINCETON FIELD GUIDE TO MESOZOIC SEA REPTILES

Before opening this book, I thought I knew something of the Mesozoic age of sea reptiles. By the end, I was surprised at just how much I had learnt about these remarkable creatures.

The book is informative but not overwhelming. It contains an in-depth guide to the marine reptiles for those familiar with the subject, but also fascinating and clear explanations for the novice. Information is broken down into easy-to-read sections covering every aspect, from their anatomy and behaviour to comparisons with today’s ocean inhabitants. The book is also scattered with beautiful illustrations, providing a magical read for all levels of interest.

There are plenty of jaw-dropping facts, but what astonished me is the sheer variety of reptiles from the period. For instance, lightning-fast ichthyosaurs (comparable in some ways to today’s dolphins) or one type of ichthyosauromorph which had a ‘platypus-like head’. Also, concerning parallels are drawn between the Mesozoic climate and present-day global warming—an illustration of what the future has in store?

Minor drawbacks of the book include a font too small to make for easy reading and the absence of a glossary.  Also, it would be helpful to have the geological timelines near the start of the book where much of the relevant text is located.

Overall, the book is excellent for anyone interested not just in Mesozoic sea reptiles but in marine biology as a whole. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read and has completely changed everything I thought I knew about these diverse and fascinating marine inhabitants.

James Hanson, Young Marine Biologist

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