Branchiopoda


Book Description

This book provides a long-awaited general introduction to the eleven orders (two fossil, nine extant) of the class Branchiopoda. All are characterised morphologically, with descriptions and keys down to family-level. Phylogenies are discussed on morphological, and, wherever possible, molecular grounds. The book is copiously illustrated with line drawings, photographs and SEM micrographs, many of which are original, and often offer new insights into the morphology of these animals. Separate chapters deal with the ecology of extant groups, and with their geographical distribution. A comprehensive bibliography of more than 2.000 titles provides further access to the world literature.










Identification and Ecology of Freshwater Arthropods in the Mediterranean Basin


Book Description

Identification and Ecology of Freshwater Arthropods in the Mediterranean Basin covers the entire Mediterranean basin, including parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean islands, but excluding other biogeographic locations with Mediterranean climates located outside the region. The book provides an extensive description of the taxonomy and ecology of aquatic arthropods encountered in lentic and lotic habitats, as well as in less studied underground and estuarine habitats. It offers expanded taxonomic identification keys to major groups of arthropods with a description of their ecology and distribution. Keys for insects include aquatic larval stages and water-dwelling adults of Coleoptera and Heteroptera. Additional sections focus on taxa that can be encountered in adjacent brackish and estuary ecosystems as long as the taxon primarily occurs in freshwaters. This is a much-needed, comprehensive resource on the taxonomy and ecology of freshwater arthropods with an introduction to recent molecular tools for identifications. It will be particularly useful for freshwater ecologists, limnologists, environmentalists and students in the ecological sciences. - Presents taxonomic keys to genera and species to the majority of aquatic arthropod families - Provides coverage of all freshwater ecosystems of the Mediterranean basin, with case studies and examples - Includes numerous photographs of the aquatic arthropods described in the chapters - Covers the ecology and taxonomy of organisms living in more traditionally studied lakes and streams as well as in less studied underground and estuarine habitats




Evolutionary Developmental Biology of Crustacea


Book Description

Crustaceans, due to the great diversity of their body organization, segmentation patterns, tagmatization, limb types, larval forms, cleavage, and gastrulation modes, are highly desirable for the study of questions at the interface of evolution and development. Modern interest in evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) rests on the molecular genetic approach and a variety of molecular techniques have proven fruitful when performed on crustaceans. Evolutionary Developmental Biology of Crustacea presents a comprehensive treatment of all aspects of the field, beginning with a discussion of the implications of the typological Bauplan and phylum concepts versus historical concepts such as ground pattern and monophylum for the formulation of conceptual questions in evo-devo. Following this, the authors present the results of Hox gene expression in various crustacean taxa, aspects of segment formation at the cellular and genetic levels, the formation of segmental structures such as neurons, ganglia, and limbs, and the role of morphological ontogenetic characters in resolving phylogenetic relationships. By covering so many general aspects of crustacean development, morphology, and evolution, Evolutionary Developmental Biology of Crustacea serves as an indispensable reference for developmental and evolutionary biologists investigating the role of genetics in evolution and development.




Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates


Book Description

Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates: Keys to Palaearctic Fauna, Fourth Edition, is part of a multivolume series covering inland water invertebrates of the world that began with Vol. I: Ecology and General Biology (2015), then Vol. II (2016) Keys to Nearctic Fauna, and finally in Vol. III (2018) Keys to Neotropical Hexapoda (insects and springtails). It now continues with identification keys for Palearctic invertebrates in Vol. IV. Two other volumes currently in development focus on general invertebrates of the Neotropical/Antarctic, and Australasian Bioregions. Other volumes in the early planning stages include Afrotropical and Oriental/Oceanic Bioregions. All volumes are designed for multiple uses and levels of expertise by professionals in universities, government agencies and private companies, as well as by graduate and undergraduate students.




Recent Advances in Freshwater Crustacean Biodiversity and Conservation


Book Description

Recent Advances in Freshwater Crustacean Biodiversity and Conservation focuses on minor crustacean groups and regionally endemic groups, all from freshwaters. Chapters in this book cover crustaceans such as Maxillopods, Mysids, Cumaceans, Isopods, Amphipods, Branchiopods, Copepods, and Decapods. Each looks at global or regional fauna and discusses conservation issues for that group. The majority of the chapters are based on papers presented at symposia organized by the editors at two international scientific meetings held in Barcelona and Washington DC. The contributors are world-renowned experts on their groups, as well as on freshwater crustacean conservation and biodiversity at global levels. It has previously been difficult for conservation managers, NGOs, and university professors and students who may not have access to comprehensive journal subscriptions to find relevant information on diversity and conservation of freshwater crustaceans. This book meets that need, addressing crustacean groups not previously treated and providing additional information beyond any presented in existing books. As the editors write in their introduction: we cannot conserve and we cannot protect what we do not know exists. This is a reliable, cutting-edge reference for anybody involved in crustacean research: students, researchers, agencies, and NGOs, as well as science educators, conservationists, and government conservation policymakers. The book will also be useful for those working in aquaculture and fisheries, given that many of the taxa discussed are economically important.




Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates


Book Description

Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates, Volume 5: Keys to Neotropical and Antarctic Fauna, Fourth Edition, covers inland water invertebrates of the world. It began with Ecology and General Biology, Volume One (Thorp and Rogers, editors, 2015) and was followed by three volumes emphasizing taxonomic keys to general invertebrates of the Nearctic (2016), neotropical hexapods (2018), and general invertebrates of the Palearctic (2019). All volumes are designed for multiple uses and levels of expertise by professionals in universities, government agencies, private companies, and graduate and undergraduate students. - Includes zoogeographic coverage of the entire Neotropics, from central Mexico and the Caribbean Islands, to the tip of South America - Provides identification keys for aquatic invertebrates to genus or species level for many groups, with keys progressing from higher to lower taxonomic levels - Contains terminology and morphology, materials preparation and preservation, and references




Fundamentals of Tropical Freshwater Wetlands


Book Description

Fundamentals of Tropical Freshwater Wetlands: From Ecology to Conservation Management is a practical guide and important tool for practitioners and educators interested in the ecology, conservation and management of wetlands in tropical/subtropical regions. The book is written in such a way that, in addition to scientists and managers, it is accessible to non-specialist readers. Organized into three themed sections and twenty-three chapters, this volume covers a variety of topics, exposing the reader to a full range of scientific, conservation and management issues. Each chapter has been written by specialists in the topic being presented. The book recognizes that wetland conservation, science and management are interlinked disciplines, and so it attempts to combine several perspectives to highlight the interdependence between the various professions that deal with issues in these environments. Within each chapter extensive cross-referencing is included, so as to help the reader link related aspects of the issues being discussed. - Contributed to by global experts in the field of tropical wetlands - Includes case studies and worked examples, enabling the reader to recreate the work already done - Focuses on tropical systems not available in any other book




Cladocera


Book Description