Atlas of Crustacean Larvae
Atlas of Crustacean Larvae

Author: Joel W. Martin

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 2014-07-01

Total Pages: 385

ISBN-13: 1421411989

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An illustrated guide to the sweeping diversity of crustacean larval forms. Winner of the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title of the Choice ACRL Crustaceans—familiar to the average person as shrimp, lobsters, crabs, krill, barnacles, and their many relatives—are easily one of the most important and diverse groups of marine life. Poorly understood, they are among the most numerous invertebrates on earth. Most crustaceans start life as eggs and move through a variety of morphological phases prior to maturity. In Atlas of Crustacean Larvae, more than 45 of the world's leading crustacean researchers explain and illustrate the beauty and complexity of the many larval life stages. Revealing shapes that are reminiscent of aliens from other worlds—often with bizarre modifications for a planktonic life or for parasitization, including (in some cases) bulging eyes, enormous spines, and aids for flotation and swimming—the abundant illustrations and photographs show the detail of each morphological stage and allow for quick comparisons. The diversity is immediately apparent in the illustrations: spikes that deter predators occur on some larvae, while others bear unique specializations not seen elsewhere, and still others appear as miniature versions of the adults. Small differences in anatomy are shown to be suited to the behaviors and survival mechanisms of each species. Destined to become a key reference for specialists and students and a treasured book for anyone who wishes to understand "the invertebrate backbone of marine ecosystems," Atlas of Crustacean Larvae belongs on the shelf of every serious marine biologist.

The Ostracoda
The Ostracoda

Author: Jonathan A. Holmes

Publisher: American Geophysical Union

Published: 2002-01-21

Total Pages: 332

ISBN-13:

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Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 131. Scientists generally acknowledge that the reconstruction of past environments requires the use of multiple indicators or proxies. Biological remains, which figure prominently in many studies, offer different values for different purposes. Whereas scientists frequently use and well understand some biological proxies, for example, the foraminifers in marine environments and pollen grains in terrestrial settings, other biological proxies are underutilised. In this book, we focus on one such indicator of Quaternary paleoenvironmental phenomena: the ostracods or, as they are sometimes known, ostracodes. Ostracods are small aquatic crustaceans that secrete shells or valves made of calcite, which are often preserved in Quaternary sediments. In addition to providing a complementary line of evidence in multi-proxy investigations, ostracods have a number of specific advantages as biological proxies. First, they are sensitive to a range of ecological variables, such as habitat type and water composition. Second, their shells can be used in geochemical and isotope analyses and, because shell secretion is a rapid process, the results provide a "snapshot" of water conditions. Third, ostracods are often preserved in environments where other important biological proxies are not; in alkaline environments, for example, ostracods are well preserved, yet diatoms tend to be dissolved. Thus, we seek to encourage Quaternary scientists working both in marine and non-marine environments to make more routine use of ostracods in their work.