Gastrotricha, Cycloneuralia, and Gnathifera. Volume 1, Nematomorpha, Priapulida, Kinorhyncha, Loricifera

This section of the Handbook of Zoology is intended as a comprehensive and exhaustive account of the biology of the taxa Gastrotricha, Nematoda, Nematomorpha, Priapulida, Kinorhyncha, Loricifera, Gnathostomulida, Micrognathozoa, Rotifera, Seisonida and Acanthocephala, covering all relevant topics such as morphology, ecology, phylogeny and diversity. The series is intended to be a detailed and up-to-date account of these taxa. As was the case with the first edition, the Handbook is intended to serve as a reliable resource for decades. Many of the taxa of this volume are comparatively unknown to many biologists, despite their diversity and importance for example in meiofaunal communities (Gastrotricha, Rotifera, Gnathostomulida), their fascinating recent discoveries (Loricifera and Micrognathozoa), their importance as parasites (many nematodes, Nematomorpha, Acanthocephala) and their importance for evolutionary questions (e.g. Priapulida, Gastrotricha). The groups covered range from those poor in species (such as Micrognathozoa with 2 known species) to the species-rich and diverse Nematoda and their ca. 20.000 described species. While each taxon is covered by one chapter, nematodes are treated in several chapters dedicated to their structural, taxonomic and ecological diversity. * Comprehensive account of the morphology, ecology, phylogeny and diversity of the Cycloneuralia and Gnathifera * Taxa with important roles as parasites and in meiofaunal communities * Recent discoveries and evolutionary questions are treated

This section of the Handbook of Zoology is intended as a comprehensive and exhaustive account of the biology of the taxa Gastrotricha, Nematoda, Nematomorpha, Priapulida, Kinorhyncha, Loricifera, Gnathostomulida, Micrognathozoa, Rotifera, Seisonida and Acanthocephala, covering all relevant topics such as morphology, ecology, phylogeny and diversity. The series is intended to be a detailed and up-to-date account of these taxa. As was the case with the first edition, the Handbook is intended to serve as a reliable resource for decades.

Many of the taxa of this volume are comparatively unknown to many biologists, despite their diversity and importance for example in meiofaunal communities (Gastrotricha, Rotifera, Gnathostomulida), their fascinating recent discoveries (Loricifera and Micrognathozoa), their importance as parasites (many nematodes, Nematomorpha, Acanthocephala) and their importance for evolutionary questions (e.g. Priapulida, Gastrotricha). The groups covered range from those poor in species (such as Micrognathozoa with 2 known species) to the species-rich and diverse Nematoda and their ca. 20.000 described species. While each taxon is covered by one chapter, nematodes are treated in several chapters dedicated to their structural, taxonomic and ecological diversity.

Contributors 1. Gastrotricha, Cycloneuralia and Gnathifera: General History and Phylogeny 1.1. The large worms 1.2. The discovery of microscopically small animals 1.3. Changing relationships 1.4. From typological classification to phylogenetic systematics 1.5. The contribution of molecular studies 1.6. Outlook 2. Gastrotricha, Cycloneuralia and Gnathifera: The Fossil Record 2.1. Gastrotricha 2.2. Gnathifera 2.3. Cycloneuralia 3. Nematomorpha Introduction 3.1. Morphology 3.2. Reproduction and development 3.3. Physiology 3.4. Phylogeny 3.5. Systematics 3.6. Biogeography 3.7. Paleontology 3.8. Ecology 4. Priapulida Introduction 4.1. Morphology 4.2. Reproduction and development 4.3. Physiology 4.4. Phylogeny 4.5. Systematics 4.6. Biogeography 4.7. Palaeontology 4.8. Ecology 5. Kinorhyncha (= Echinodera) Introduction 5.1. Morphology 5.2. Reproduction and development 5.3. Physiology 5.4. Phylogeny 5.5. Systematics 5.6. Biogeography 5.7. Paleontology 5.8. Ecology 6. Loricifera Introduction 6.1. Morphology 6.2. Reproduction and development 6.3. Phylogeny 6.4. Diversity 6.5. Ecology This volume includes a general introduction, a chapter on fossil representatives of the Cycloneuralia and chapters on the taxa Nematomorpha, Priapulida, Kinorhyncha and Loricifera. The taxa described herein include the parasitic horsehair worms (Nematomorpha) and the marine priapulids, kinorhynchs and loriciferans, the latter of which belong to the smallest metazoan animals and have fascinating life cycles and ecological capabilities. The volume presents a detailed insight into the morphology, ecology and systematics of each of these groups The Handbook of Zoology provides an in-depth treatment of the entire animal kingdom covering both invertebrates and vertebrates. It publishes comprehensive overviews on animal systematics and morphology and covers extensively further aspects like physiology, behavior, ecology and applied zoological research.