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Meiobenthology is the science of tiny animals that live in huge numbers in all aquatic sediments. This new edition emphasizes recent developments in the field wherein major progress has been made in systematics, ecology and environmental aspects.

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Meiobenthology is the science of the tiny animals that live in huge numbers in all aquatic sediments. This fully revised and enlarged second edition emphasizes new discoveries and developments in this field. Major progress has been made in three general areas: - Systematics, diversity and distribution, - Ecology, food webs, and energy flow, - Environmental aspects, including studies of anthropogenic impacts.

The meiobenthos of polar and tropical regions, deep-sea bottoms and hydrothermal vents are now studied in more detail. The high number of species found to survive under such extreme conditions puts them at the forefront of biodiversity studies. Molecular screening methods enable large numbers to be analyzed upon applying reasonable effort. The aim of this book is to synthesize these modern scientific achievements such that meiobenthology can play a key role in aquatic research and in assessing the health of our environment.

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to Meiobenthology.- The Biotope: Factors and Study Methods.- Sampling and Processing Meiofauna.- Biological Characteristics of Meiofauna.- Meiofauna Taxa: A Systematic Account.- Evolutionary and Phylogenetic Effects in Meiobenthology.- Patterns of Meiofauna Distribution.- Meiofauna from Selected Biotopes and Regions.- Synecological Perspectives in Meiobenthology.- Retrospect on Meiobenthology and Outlook on New Approaches and Future Research.

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From the reviews of the second edition:

"Giere´s scholarly but readable monograph on the meiobenthos will be welcomed by all aquatic benthic ecologists."

Nature

"Every librarian and every practicing meiobenthologist should have a copy of this book."

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

"Anyone interested in the ecology of aquatic habitats ... will find occasion to rely on this book. ... The collection of references is broad and will be a very useful tool for investigators. This volume can serve ably as a handbook for specialists in the field, as well as a tutorial for individuals new to meiobenthology. It will help define and develop future research on this underappreciated group of organisms ... . Summing Up: Highly Recommended. Advanced academic readers, upper-division undergraduates and above." (S. R. Fegley, Choice, Vol. 46 (9), May, 2009)

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