Sea cucumbers have inhabited the world's oceans for about 400 million years. They live in almost any marine habitat, from the fine ooze of the deep ocean to current-swept reefs and rocky shallows. These marine invertebrates are related to sea stars and sea urchins and they are an integral part of our coastal ecosystems.

Philip Lambert describes more than 30 species of sea cucumber living in the coastal waters of British Columbia and the United States. He discusses distribution, natural history and habitat, as well as anatomy, physiology, reproduction, ecology and economic importance.

Philip Lambert recently retired from his position as curator of marine invertebrates at the Royal BC Museum and continues his work as a research associate. This book completes his trilogy on echinoderms of BC's coastal waters. The first two - Sea Cucumbers of British Columbia, Southeast Alaska and Puget Sound (1997) and Sea Stars of British Columbia, Southeast Alaska and Puget Sound (2000) were copublished with UBC Press.

Philip Lambert's profile page

"This guide is highly recommended for anyone interested in coastal natural history. The authoritative text is generously supplemented with excellent colour and black-and-white photographs as well as with line drawings."—Patrick Colgan, Canadian Book Review Annual