The Biology of Millipedes

ISBN-13: 9780198576990 / Angielski / Twarda / 1992 / 248 str.

Stephen P. Hopkin; Helen J. Read

Opis

Millipedes are commonly found in the leaf litter fauna of most terrestrial environments where they play an essential ecological role. The Biology of Millipedes is the first single-volume review of this important group and covers their evolution, ecology, behavior, and physiology. The book is essential reading for terrestrial ecologists, zoologists, and students taking courses in invertebrate biology. Introductory chapters consider millipede taxonomy and phylogeny, basic anatomy, locomotion, and ecomorphology. Later chapters review feeding and digestion, metabolism, nerves, and neurosecretion, together with all aspects of millipede development. In the final chapters, special attention is paid to defenses against predators, the importance of millipedes in decomposition processes, and their role as pests. The authors provide an extremely comprehensive bibliography of research papers and other literature.

Recenzje

'eminently readable compendium ... Classical tomes on millipedes are formidable and off-putting, perhaps by an excessive concentration on taxonomy, morphology and reproductive biology, but this volume deliberately sets out to strike a balance between the areas in which millipedes are relatively well characterised and the recent information emerging on topics such as metabolism, neurosensory mechanisms, endocrinology and ecology. This book has something for everyone: straightforward explanations of basic biology for the interested layman and the elementary student of invertebrate zoology, as well as tables of data from specialised journals and the authors' own researches for experts to argue over ... one is bound to applaud this bold and successful attempt to present a rounded view of this understudied group of animals.' Times Higher

Spis treści

General introduction; Taxonomy, evolution, and zoogeography; Basic anatomy, locomotion and ecomorphology; Feeding and digestion; Metabolism, excretion, and water balance; Nervous, sensory and neurosecretory systems; Gametogenesis and fertilization; Development, moulting, and life histories; Predators, parasites, and defence; Ecology; Concluding remarks; References; Glossary; Index.