This book provides an introduction to the study of the ostracods that are common inhabitants of intertidal rock- pools, estuaries and other coastal habitats around Great Britain. It is the first comprehensive treatment of the British marine and brackish-water ostracod fauna to be published since the last century. The first part deals with the general morphology of the Ostracoda, their ecology, reproduction and life histories, and includes keys to the higher taxa as well as to 49 genera. Practical methods for the collection and study of ostracods are described in detail. The second part contains keys and notes for the identification of 116 species from British waters; for each there is a brief synonymy and description together with notes on its taxonomy, ecology and distribution, and drawings of shells and appendages. Additionally, shells of 76 of the species are illustrated by means of scanning electron micrographs. This book holds a general appeal for students of both fossil and living ostracods in all parts of the world. It will be useful to those investigating marine and brackish- water meiofauna, of which ostracods are often a major constituent.

Their story began 500 million years ago, but we only started to get to know them in 1746, when Linné described the first ostracod species. Vividly portraying the freshwater ostracods, this comprehensive reference work gathers the knowledge gained during some 250 years, but which to date has remained scattered throughout the literature. It starts with an introduction to the class Ostracoda with a special focus on freshwater ostracods and highlights practical methods in their study. The systematic part includes an introduction to all families; identification keys for all subfamilies, genera and species; diagnoses for each subfamily and genus; and lists of synonyms and distribution of species. The text is richly illustrated with distribution maps, line drawings of key generic characteristics, and numerous SEM photographs. Serving as an excellent starting point for all further research on freshwater ostracods, it can be widely used not only by ostracodologists, but also by crustaceologists, evolutionists and ecologists.

Ostracods belong to a group of microfossils found in nearly all types of aquatic environments. These microcrustaceans, characterized by a bivalved, calcitic carapace, are used to reconstruct ancient environments. For example, they can help to provide information on palaeoclimates, palaeogeography, the formation of deep oceans, sea level changes, etc. This book endeavours to bring about a greater understanding of their usefulness in many aspects of geological sciences, and provides suggestions for future research. It is principally intended for the non-specialist, and shows many applications of ostracods to help solve geological problems and phenomena. Topics reviewed assume no prior knowledge of palaeontology, and thus terminology is kept simple. There is an exhaustive index, and an appendix supplying additional references on significant sources of information on ostracods. This book aims to deliver information on ostracods to those people not usually interested in the literature of palaeontology and also to awaken an interest in the Ostracoda by referring to more specialized articles published elsewhere.

Ostracod crustaceans, common microfossils in marine and freshwater sedimentary records, supply evidence of past climatic conditions via indicator species, transfer function and mutual climatic range approaches as well as the trace element and stable isotope geochemistry of their shells. As methods of using ostracods as Quaternary palaeoclimate proxies have developed, so too has a critical awareness of their complexities, potential and limitations. This book combines up-to-date reviews (covering previous work and summarising the state of the art) with presentations of new, cutting-edge science (data and interpretations as well as methodological developments) to form a major reference work that will constitute a durable bench-mark in the science of Ostracoda and Quaternary climate change. - In-depth and focused treatment of palaeoclimate applications - Provides durable benchmark and guide for all future work on ostracods - Presents new, cutting-edge science

Sexual Biology and Reproduction in Crustaceans covers crustacean reproduction as it deals with the structural morphology of the gamete-producing primary sex organs, such as the testis and ovary, the formation and maturation of gametes, their fusion during fertilization, and embryonic development that lead to the release of larvae. Constituting a diverse assemblage of animals, crustaceans are best known by their common representatives, such as shrimps, lobsters, and crabs, but also include many more less familiar, but biologically important forms. This work covers the variety of ways in which both male and female gametes are produced by evolving different sexual systems in crustaceans, the range of reproductive systems, and the accordingly, and highly diverse, mechanistic modes of sex determination. In addition, the book features such topics as genetic and environmental determinants in sex determination pattern, variability of mechanisms of fertilization among different species, the origin of different mating systems, the associated mating and brooding behaviors, and the adaptive ability to different environmental conditions with discussion on the evolutionary ecology of social and sexual systems in certain species, which have shown eusocial tendencies, similar to social insects. Marine species occupying diversified ecological niches in tropical and temperate zones reproduce under definitive environmental conditions. Therefore, reproductive ecology of different crustaceans inhabiting different ecological niches also constitutes another important aspect of the work, along with yolk utilization and embryogenesis leading to release of different larval forms, which reflect on their aquatic adaptability. - Forms a valuable source of recent references on the current research in crustacean reproductive physiology - Covers various mating and breeding systems, providing illustrative examples for sexual selection, parental care of developing eggs and embryos, and the evolution of other reproductive behaviors - Features contributions written in the form of review articles, enabling readers to not only gain information in the respective subject, but also help them stimulate ideas in their chosen field of research - Includes a glossary created by the author to define technical terms - Demonstrates the ability of crustacean species to serve as useful model systems for other organisms, to investigate issues related to sexual conflict, mate choice, and sperm competition - Discusses techniques in endocrine research to help researchers in aquaculture develop protocols in the control of reproduction

Ostracoda (Crustacea) are potentially excellent model organisms for evolutionary studies, because they combine an extensive fossil record with a wide recent distribution and therefore allow studies on both patterns and processes leading to extant diversity. The main scientific domains contributing theories, concepts, and data to evolutionary biology are morphology (including ontogeny), palaeontology, genetics, and ecology, and to all of these aspects ostracods can contribute. This is clearly illustrated by the fifteen papers presented under Theme 3 of the 13th International Symposium on Ostracoda (Chatham, UK) in 1997 which are grouped in the present proceedings, one of three volumes resulting from this meeting. The contributions deal with the evolution of both extant and fossil forms (including most of the Phanaerozoic), ecology of both marine and freshwater taxa, and (developmental) morphology of both soft parts and valves. Although the canvas is wide, each paper clearly shows how studies on Ostracoda can be relevant to general theory on evolutionary biology and ecology.