After twenty years of tireless research both in the laboratory and at sea, Dr. Kwang-Tsao Shao and his team have completed the world’s first Eggs and Larvae of 500 Taiwan Fishes. Now featured in the Book Review column of Marine Research, Volume 5, Issue 1, published by the National Academy of Marine Research (NAMR), this monumental work unfolds like an oceanic epic—documenting fish eggs and larvae from morphology to genetics. Each page brims with the vitality of science and life, offering an extraordinary glimpse into the ocean’s earliest and most intricate forms. Now, join the scientists in exploring the origins of life itself!
Tracing the story of a fish egg: from field collection to DNA identification.
Across two volumes and five chapters, the atlas guides readers through every step of discovery—from collecting fish eggs in the wild to decoding their DNA—revealing how scientists trace a single egg to its species name. The authors openly share their analytical process and experimental details, as if laying out their laboratory notes. Even readers without a scientific background can follow the logic and marvel at the precision behind each operation! DNA barcoding has shattered the limits of traditional identification—because genes don’t lie. Each entry is equipped with a QR code linking directly to databases, offering access to supplementary data and video materials. This multidimensional integration of print × molecular science × digital platform transforms Eggs and Larvae of 500 Taiwan Fishes into more than just an atlas; it becomes a living, ever-evolving repository of marine knowledge.
We Are Closer to the Ocean Than We Think
This is not just a reference book for scholars—it is written for everyone whose life is touched by the sea: teachers, students, aquaculture farmers, environmental volunteers, and even seafood lovers! Surrounded by water on all sides, the ocean is an inseparable part of everyday life in Taiwan. Through vivid imagery, detailed data, and interactive QR codes, Eggs and Larvae of 500 Taiwan Fishes unveils the secrets of marine life in a way that anyone can understand, regardless of background. It is not only an atlas, but also a key to knowing fish, understanding ecosystems, and reflecting on sustainability. As you turn its pages, you may find yourself asking: What should our relationship with the ocean truly be?
A Century in Perspective: The Golden Chronicle of Ichthyology in Taiwan
The latest issue of Marine Research (Vol. 5, No. 1), themed “The History and Current Status of Ichthyological Studies in Taiwan,” marks a major milestone in marine scholarship. Guest-edited by Professor Hong Young Yan, the issue compiles over a century of research achievements, tracing the evolution of Taiwan’s ichthyology, from the species-naming efforts of the 19th century to the revolutionary advances brought by modern DNA taxonomy. It stands as nothing less than a “chronicle of Taiwan’s ichthyological heritage.” In addition to Eggs and Larvae of 500 Taiwan Fishes, the issue features studies on salmon conservation, Indo-Pacific sailfish, and sea catfish, as well as a commemorative article honoring the late Professor Shih-Chieh Shen. For readers seeking to understand the path of marine research in Taiwan, this issue is the perfect place to begin.
An Invitation from the Blue: Are You Ready to Receive It?
Eggs and Larvae of 500 Taiwan Fishes is more than an atlas—it is a precious record of twenty years of dialogue between Taiwanese scientists and the sea. Its inclusion in the special issue of Marine Research is not only recognition of this remarkable achievement, but also a public invitation from the blue ocean, calling readers to see both the grandeur and the delicate beauty of marine life. For anyone who feels even a spark of curiosity about the sea, this book and this issue are well worth exploring. That vast blue world, once thought distant, contains stories that belong to us all—stories to understand, cherish, and protect.
Marine Research — A Key Platform for Marine Science in Taiwan
To deepen marine research in Taiwan and strengthen its connection with the global scientific community, the NAMR is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary studies across marine policy, resources, culture, science, industry, and engineering. With the mission of integrating national marine research capacity and expanding the horizons of marine science, NAMR launched the English academic journal Marine Research in 2021. The journal serves as an important platform for scholarly exchange and the publication of marine research achievements. For more information, please visit the journal’s official website https://marres.namr.gov.tw/.
