Protistology provides a comprehensive overview on recent developments in understanding the diversity of cell biology, genomic processes, parasite-host interactions, and the evolution of eukaryotes. The book is the first modern treatise on these organisms, walking readers through protistology's diversity and classification. This book is an ideal supplemental text for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students in microbial ecology, freshwater and marine biology, soil ecology, environmental sciences, or those looking to initiate a course in protistology. - Covers the entire breadth of protists, including numerous illustrations, photographs and figures - Provides an accessible, modern classification of protists - Presents comparative cell biology and evolutionary trends in the diversity of protists
Published in a modern, user-friendly format this fully revised and updated edition of The Handbook of Protoctista (1990) is the resource for those interested in the biology, diversity and evolution of eukaryotic microorganisms and their descendants, exclusive of animals, plants and fungi. With chapters written by leading researchers in the field, the content reflects the present state of knowledge of the cell and genome biology, evolutionary relationships and ecological/medical/economic importance each major group of protists, organized according to current protist systematics as informed by molecular phylogenetics and genomics.
This is the story of a profound revolution in the way biologists explore life's history, understand its evolutionary processes, and reveal its diversity. It is about life's smallest entities, deepest diversity, and greatest cellular biomass: the microbiosphere. Jan Sapp introduces us to a new field of evolutionary biology and a new brand of molecular evolutionists who descend to the foundations of evolution on Earth to explore the origins of the genetic system and the primary life forms from which all others have emerged. In so doing, he examines-from Lamarck to the present-the means of pursuing the evolution of complexity, and of depicting the greatest differences among organisms. The New Foundations of Evolution takes us into a world that classical evolutionists could never have imagined: a deep phylogeny based on three domains of life and multiple kingdoms, and created by mechanisms very unlike those considered by Darwin and his followers. Evolution by leaps seems to occur regularly in the microbial world where molecular evolutionists have shown the inheritance of acquired genes and genomes are major modes of evolutionary innovation. Revisiting the history of microbiology for the first time from the perspective of evolutionary biology, Sapp shows why classical Darwinian conceptions centering on questions of the origin of species were forged without a microbial foundation, why classical microbiologists considered it impossible to know the course of evolution, and classical molecular biologists considered the evolution of the molecular genetic system to be beyond understanding. In telling this stirring story of scientific iconoclasm, this book elucidates how the new evolutionary biology arose, what methods and assumptions underpin it, and the fiery controversies that continue to shape biologists' understanding of the foundations of evolution today.
This comprehensive book provides a unique overview of advances in the biology and ecology of marine protists. Nowadays marine protistology is a hot spot in science to disclose life phenomena using the latest techniques. Although many protistological textbooks deal with the cytology, genetics, ecology, and pathology of specific organisms, none keeps up with the quick pace of new discoveries on the diversity and dynamics of marine protists in general. The bookMarine Protists: Diversity and Dynamics gives an overview of current research on the phylogeny, cytology, genomics, biology, ecology, fisheries, applied sciences, geology and pathology of marine free-living and symbiotic protists. Poorly known but ecologically important protists such as labyrinthulids and apostome ciliates are also presented in detail. Special attention is paid to complex interactions between marine protists and other organisms including human beings. An understanding of the ecological roles of marine protists is essential for conservation of nature and human welfare. This book will be of great interest not only to scientists and students but also to a larger audience, to give a better understanding of protists’ diverse roles in marine ecosystems.
This textbook on Protistology provides an excellent information source for a broad audience ranging from students of advanced university courses to senior scientists, for the study of parasitic and/or pathogenic microorganisms; lavishly and unsurpassedly illustrated with about 800 single micrographs, line drawings and diagrams allowing an overwhelming insight into the architectural variety of unicellular creatures and their dynamical properties. The pivotal ecological roles unicellular organisms play in the bionomics of life on earth, at present and in the past as well as the phylogenetic relationships between unicellular and multicellular organisms are thoroughly explained.
This volume examines the origin of eukaryotic cells both phylogenetically and morphogenetically. The evolutionary relationship between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organizations is emphasized. The difference of inferences from ribosomal RNA and protein phylogenetic trees suggests a new possibility of synthesizing an evolutionary origin of eukaryotic cells as integrating morphogenetic contributions.
This book offers the first comprehensive, in-depth treatment of microbial diversity for undergraduate and graduate students. Using a global approach, Microbial Diversity illustrates the impact of microorganisms on ecological and Earth system phenomena. Accompanied by a devoted website with resources for both instructors and students: www.blackwellpublishing.com/ogunseitan Uses key ecological and global phenomena to show the continuity of microbial contribution. Illustrates the importance of microbial diversity for the understanding of global physiochemical and biological processes. Presents analyses of microscopic, culture, molecular, and phylogenetic systematic methods. Shows the relevance of microbial diversity to global environmental problems, such as climate change and ozone depletion. Features numerous illustrations, including over 60 4-color photographs of microbes.
This is a new type of calculus book: Students who master this text will be well versed in calculus and, in addition, possess a useful working knowledge of how to use modern symbolic mathematics software systems for solving problems in calculus. This will equip them with the mathematical competence they need for science and engineering and the competitive workplace. MACSYMA is used as the software in which the example programs and calculations are given. However, by the experience gained in this book, the student will also be able to use any of the other major mathematical software systems, like for example AXIOM, MATHEMATICA, MAPLE, DERIVE or REDUCE, for doing calculus on computers.
This volume covers the fields of origin, evolution and phylogenesis from prokaryotic to eukaryotic cells. The eminent authors, experts in their fields, review the three kingdoms of life (Archea, Eubacteria and Eukarya) from molecular evolutionary levels to ecological aspects in enigmatic habitats, including general reviews of puzzling pro-and eukaryotic organisms and their domains. We discuss dry habitats, thermophilic (cells in hot springs and undersea thermal vents up to 110°C), psychrophilic (cryophiles) and halophilic (high salt concentrations) niches which among the harshest conditions found on Earth where microbial life is frequently detected. Some chapters deal with the organisms which grow in extreme pH conditions (acidity vs. alkalinity), and under hydrostatic pressure in the deep sea, and microbial growth on petroleum. Audience: Students, lecturers and researchers; scholars in the fields of biology, evolutionary biology and chemistry, and other evolutionary fields, and the intelligent layman.
For researchers, teachers, and students who deal with eukaryotic microorganisms, this comprehensive guide contains current information on the protoctists and their descendants (exclusive of the animals, fungi, and plants). It represents an illustrated abbreviated version of Handbook of Protoctista (Jones & Bartlett, 1990). Extensively illustrated with drawings, light and electron micrographs, and includes photographs of leading contributors to protoctist research. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
