crustacea

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 forms. 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 this book, 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 behaviours and survival mechanisms of each species.

A comprehensive update of the classic volume Introduction to the freshwater Crustacea of New Zealand by Chapman and Lewis (1976). In the intervening 35 years there have been many advances in the systematics of crustaceans leading in many instances to the introduction of new names, and our knowledge of freshwater crustacean biology and ecology has increased substantially. The new book follows a similar format to its predecessor, uses some of the same text, and many of the original figures. However, most of the text and identification keys have been rewritten to accommodate advances in knowledge, and many new line drawings and colour images are included. Each chapter has its own set of references to help users access the relevant literature. Accounts of the Copepoda, Syncarida, and Amphipoda, in particular, contain much new material, and information on the remarkable subterranean and ‘terrestrial’ crustacean faunas is incorporated. The book is intended to be a source of information and a guide to the identification of our inland crustacean fauna that can be used by students, teachers, research workers, and other environmental scientists.

ZooKeys No. 18. This is the first issue of ZooKeys devoted to taxonomy of the Crustacea, specifically crustaceans from the Southern Hemisphere, with contributions describing new taxa from Australia, New Caledonia, the Tasman Sea, Fiji, Madagascar and Antarctica. The issue comprises six papers on the Peracarida, and one each on Decapoda and Spinicaudata, describing four new genera, 12 new species, and new diagnoses to a further four genera. The first occurrence of the Eurasian clam shrimp Eoleptestheria ticinensis in Australia, is reported. There are three isopod contributions, two describing new species and new genera of deep-water Serolidae from Australia and the tropical southwestern Pacific, the third describing a new genus and new species of Anthuroidea from Australian coral reefs. One paper revises the amphipod genus Epimeria describing two species, one new, from Antarctic waters of the Ross and Weddell Seas. Two contributions on the Tanaidacea, describe new species from tropical Australia. The remaining paper describes a new species of freshwater crab (Family Potamonautidae) from Madagascar.

A narrative written by a one-time Maine lobsterman relates how lobsters socialize, mate, fight for dominance, and navigate their way across the ocean floor.

Looks at the natural history of crabs, hermit crabs and their close relatives. The species covered are those found in shallow waters, on shores and reefs on the coastline of southeastern Australia, with an emaphasis on the coastline of Victoria. Species descriptions are accompanied by colour photographs and detailed drawings for easy recognition.