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.Content:
Chapter 1 Introduction to Tintinnids (pages 1–16): John R. Dolan
Chapter 2 The Tintinnid Lorica (pages 17–41): Sabine Agatha, Michele Laval?Peuto and Paul Simon
Chapter 3 Systematics and Evolution of Tintinnid Ciliates (pages 42–84): Sabine Agatha and Michaela C. Struder?kypke
Chapter 4 Ecophysiology and Behavior of Tintinnids (pages 85–121): David J. S. Montagnes
Chapter 5 Predators of Tintinnids (pages 122–144): Diane K. Stoecker
Chapter 6 Parasites of Tintinnids (pages 145–170): D. Wayne Coats and Tsvetan R. Bachvaroff
Chapter 7 Comparative Biology of Tintinnid Cysts (pages 171–185): Takashi Kamiyama
Chapter 8 Fossil Tintinnids (pages 186–197): Jere H. Lipps, Thorsten Stoeck and Micah Dunthorn
Chapter 9 Tintinnids in Microzooplankton Communities (pages 198–213): George B. McManus and Luciana F. Santoferrara
Chapter 10 Diversity and Distributions of Tintinnids (pages 214–243): John R. Dolan and Richard W. Pierce