Book excerpt: The world's largest island offers a cornucopia of marine life of interest to professionals as well as those who just delight in life under the sea. This colorful new publication covers many of the species found on the shores and on reefs in shallow water on the coastlines of Australia and New Zealand and in the deeper waters of the Bass Strait and beyond, including Japan and South Africa. For easy recognition, species descriptions are accompanied with stunning color illustrations and detailed drawings. Also included are maps, comprehensive reference information, scientific and common name indexes and a glossary. Crabs, Hermit Crabs and Allies is part of a series of Museum Victoria field guides to marine life. This series aims to include common animals and each guide covers a different group of marine life, and future titles planned are: An Introduction to Marine Life, Shrimps, Pawns and Lobsters, Barnacles and Sea Spiders and Seaslugs.