Dormancy is a suspension of the vital functions in an organism to overcome harsh environmental conditions, and sometimes can last for centuries. It is a widespread adaptation in many phyla, ranging from bacteria to vertebrates, and may exert a great influence on aquatic communities.

Contributors to this new book are leaders in the field of diapause studies, and many authors were participants at a recent workshop on diapause in aquatic invertebrates (Pallanza, Italy 2003). The book consists of two major parts, as indicated in its title: Phenomenology of diapause and...

Rotifera are a very common group of invertebrates and, therefore, play a considerable role in the food webs of plankton and benthos of lakes and rivers worldwide. Their ecological success is based on their distinct pattern of reproduction: a large part of them, the Monogononta, are famous for their unique mode of reproduction with parthenogenetic females and a rather rare appearance of sexuality with males. On the other hand, the Bdelloidea completely abstain from sexuality. Although many life cycle characteristics make the Rotifera ideal objects for the study of important scientific and...