World of Animals: Primitive Fish (World of Animals (Danbury, Conn.), V. 31-40.)

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It is a pleasure to observe that the fourth set in the five-part World of Animals is as well written and user-friendly as the first three.

Fish are grouped in volumes by shared characteristics, from Primitive Fish (volume 31 of the entire World of Animals) to Spiny-Finned Fish (volumes 39 and 40). In total, approximately 300 species are treated.

Format follows that of previous sets. Preliminary articles highlight similarities in the major groups of fish, for example, Carps and minnows. These are followed by two- to four-page entries focusing in detail on the species comprising that group, such as Barbs and Grass carp. Elements within species entries are standard. Supplementing the text, a fact box--with an illustration of the fish--provides common and scientific names, subfamily, family, order, number of species, size, key features, breeding, diet, habitat, a map showing distribution, world population, and IUCN status, if available. Luscious, captioned color photographs appear to literally swim across the crisp white pages, and sidebars offer unique or interesting additional facts. Cross-referencing--in the form of see also notations--direct the researchers to related entries.

Each volume concludes with a glossary of terms, a key to IUCN categories, a brief "Further Reading" list of general titles and specific titles for the volume, and a listing of a few Web sites, all of which are functioning. Each volume also contains the set index. Fish is timely in its publication since recent DNA analysis of existing fish families has resulted in a consequential reclassification of some. Data used for this set were on the findings of Joseph S. Nelson in Fishes of the World (Wiley, 1994).

Suitable for school and public libraries that service middle-school, junior-high, and senior-high-school students, this set is highly recommended. cheryl ward
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