distances between groups of ciliates were as vast as significant hurdles to obtain copyright permissions the genetic distances between plants and animals for the over 1,000 required illustrations, and I put – THE major eukaryotic kingdoms at that time! the publication schedule ahead of this element. I continued to collaborate with Mitch, and in There are a number of significant illustrated guides 1991 my first “molecular” Magisterial student, to genera and species that have recently been pub- Spencer Greenwood, published an article estab- lished. References are made to these throughout lishing 1990 or thereabouts as the beginning of the book as sources that readers can consult for this the “Age of Refinement” – the period when gene aspect of ciliate diversity. A future project that I am sequencing techniques would deepen our under- contemplating is an illustrated guide to all the valid standing of the major lines of evolution within ciliate genera.

Ciliated protozoa are one of the most relevant biological communities in the reactors of wastewater treatment plants. These organisms are excellent tools to assess the biological status of the reactor being used to monitor wastewater treatment plants performance. This book has been designed to simplify identification of ciliates, bearing in mind the difficulties on the manipulation and proper identification of these species. The specific role of ciliates in WWTP is discussed; methods for observation together with a glossary of scientific words and a simple and easy key to the taxonomic groups of ciliates are also provided. Illustrations, drawings, photographs and brief morphological descriptions of the species are included. Guidelines for the Identification of Ciliates in Wastewater Treatment Plants is the first book to use the new official classification proposed by the Society of Protozoologists (2005). It includes a complete chapter on methodology that is designed to be easy to follow and reproduce. A simple key to classify main taxonomic groups and genera is included, as are detailed descriptions to aid observation and identification of species of ciliates, in addition to drawings and photographs that accurately reproduce ciliate species.

The aim of this open access book is to facilitate the identification and description of the different organs as well as pathogens and diseases affecting the most representative species of cephalopods focussed on Sepia officinalis, Loligo vulgaris and Octopus vulgaris. These species are valuable ‘morphotype’ models and belong to the taxonomic groups Sepioidea, Myopsida and Octopoda, which include most of the species with a high market value and aquaculture potential. The study is based on photographs at macroscopic and histological level in order to illustrate the role of the most important pathogens and related diseases from the view of a pathological diagnosis. The reader is able to familiarize with functional anatomy, necropsy and general histology of adults and paralarvae, as well as with the identification of different pathogens and pathologies. This work is thus an invaluable guide for the diagnosis of cephalopod diseases. Besides including pathogens for non-European cephalopod species, it also provides a useful contribution encouraging marine pathologists, parasitologists, veterinarians and those involved in fishery sanitary assessments, aquarium maintenance and aquaculture practices aiming to increase their knowledge about the pathology of cephalopods.

Planktonic protists both produce and consume most of the primary production in the world ocean. They not only play key roles in the oceans but also represent an astounding amount of diversity: ecological morphological and genetic. However, for most taxa their ecology, morphology, phylogeny and biogeography are either poorly known or appear to be largely unrelated to one another; this hinders our understanding of their biology as well as interpretation of emerging genetic data. Tintinnid ciliates represent a singular exception. Compared to nearly all other groups of planktonic protists, there is a very substantial and relatively detailed literature (both modern and historical) on tintinnids. This volume synthesizes knowledge concerning a wide variety of topics ranging from anatomy and systematics, physiology, behavior, ecology (including ecological roles, predators, parasites, biogeography, and cysts) to fossil history. It will appeal to an audience ranging from advanced undergraduates to researchers in the fields of Oceanography, Marine Biology and Microbial Ecology.

The Prokaryotes is a comprehensive, multi-authored, peer reviewed reference work on Bacteria and Achaea. This fourth edition of The Prokaryotes is organized to cover all taxonomic diversity, using the family level to delineate chapters. Different from other resources, this new Springer product includes not only taxonomy, but also prokaryotic biology and technology of taxa in a broad context. Technological aspects highlight the usefulness of prokaryotes in processes and products, including biocontrol agents and as genetics tools. The content of the expanded fourth edition is divided into two parts: Part 1 contains review chapters dealing with the most important general concepts in molecular, applied and general prokaryote biology; Part 2 describes the known properties of specific taxonomic groups. Two completely new sections have been added to Part 1: bacterial communities and human bacteriology. The bacterial communities section reflects the growing realization that studies on pure cultures of bacteria have led to an incomplete picture of the microbial world for two fundamental reasons: the vast majority of bacteria in soil, water and associated with biological tissues are currently not culturable, and that an understanding of microbial ecology requires knowledge on how different bacterial species interact with each other in their natural environment. The new section on human microbiology deals with bacteria associated with healthy humans and bacterial pathogenesis. Each of the major human diseases caused by bacteria is reviewed, from identifying the pathogens by classical clinical and non-culturing techniques to the biochemical mechanisms of the disease process. The 4th edition of The Prokaryotes is the most complete resource on the biology of prokaryotes. The following volumes are published consecutively within the 4th Edition: Prokaryotic Biology and Symbiotic Associations Prokaryotic Communities and Ecophysiology Prokaryotic Physiology and Biochemistry Applied Bacteriology and Biotechnology Human Microbiology Actinobacteria Firmicutes Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria Gammaproteobacteria Deltaproteobacteria and Epsilonproteobacteria Other Major Lineages of Bacteria and the Archaea

The Ciliated Protozoa: Characterization, Classification and Guide to the Literature, Second Edition presents a premature major overhauling of the systematics of the Ciliophora sensu lato, which is considered a separate phylum. This book includes a developed rationale and defined criteria that serve as a basis for the reclassification of the ciliates. Discussions of controversial taxa are provided, including arbitrary but critical resolution of their place in, or rejection from, the new overall system. The ideas concerning the evolution of ciliates, as well as "phylogenetic trees are also covered in this text. This text categorizes the ciliates into three classes—Kinetofragminophora, Oligohymenophora, and Polyhymenophora. This publication is a good source for biologists and students interested in ciliates.

The protozoa are an eclectic assemblage of organisms encompassing a wide range of single-celled and multiple-celled colonial organisms lacking tissue organiza tion, but exhibiting remarkably refined biological behavior. In some modern classifications, they are classified as a subkingdom among the Protista (eukary otic single-celled organisms). Although they are not considered a formal cate gory by some taxonomists and some biologists consider the name inappropriate (inferring that they are the first unicellular animals, although some photosynthe size), it is still convenient to consider this group of organisms as an informal collection under the heading of protozoa. Their cosmopolitan distribution, sig nificant ecological role in mineral recycling and enhancement of carbon flow through lower trophic levels of food webs, and remarkable cellular adaptations to enhance survival in diverse environments make them significant organisms for biological investigation. In some cases, biologists are introduced to this group in first level courses or in invertebrate zoology, but never develop a full appreciation for the diverse and biologically sophisticated characteristics of these organisms. This book is intended as a survey of broad concepts in protozoan biology with an emphasis on comparative data. The focus is on the zoological aspects of the group. Topics more closely related to plantlike characteristics, as presented in books on phycol ogy, are not considered in detail here. A sound background in modern biology and an introduction to cellular biology will be helpful in understanding Chapters 15 and 16, which include a substantial amount of information on biochemistry.

As new hypotheses to explain biological processes are formulated and new techniques are perfected, the ubiquitous presence of ciliates and their ease of cultivation have won new converts from genetics, cell biology, ecology, molecular biology, and other specialists who are searching for a convenient organism to test their hypotheses and techniques. For these scientists as well as general biologists, graduate students beginning their careers, and those protozoologists already charmed by ciliates, this compilation of the current state of knowledge of ciliates will be exciting reading. Modern ultrastructural and molecular techniques offer insights on cytology, metabolism, and genetics of ciliates that have stimulated new conclusions about ontogenesis, sexuality, ecology, and systematics.