Taxonomy and systematics Books

Book SynopsisThe superfamily Chalcidoidea (Insecta, Hymenoptera) contains in excess of 26,000 described species worldwide, but with an estimated total diversity of more than 500,000 species the vast majority of species have yet to be discovered and described. Most chalcidoid species are parasitoids of hosts in at least 12 different insect orders, attacking the egg, larval or pupal stages, though phytophagy and other life cycles and hosts are known. Iran is the 18th largest country in the world and has a rich and diverse insect fauna, including Chalcidoidea. It is extremely interesting from a biogeographic point of view, and a paradise for an entomologist. This book summarizes the results of all prior research concerning species diversity of Iranian Chalcidoidea, including host records and distribution records by province in Iran as well as world distribution by country for 1,351 species of Chalcidoidea recorded from Iran through the end of 2019. The faunal diversity for each of the 20 families of Chalcidoidea known from Iran is also compared with that known for 15 adjacent countries. In addition, general information on world diversity, recognition, phylogenetic relationships and host relationships are given for each family. As such, the book will be an invaluable source of information for all those involved with chalcidoids, for anyone with an interest in insect systematics, and all those working in crop protection, especially biological control and Integrated Pest Management.Table of ContentsChapter 1: Agaonidae Chapter 2: Aphelinidae Chapter 3: Azotidae Chapter 4: Chalcididae Chapter 5: Encyrtidae Chapter 6: Eriaporidae Chapter 7: Eucharitidae Chapter 8: Eulophidae Chapter 9: Eupelmidae Chapter 10: Eurytomidae Chapter 11: Leucospidae Chapter 12: Megastigmidae Chapter 13: Mymaridae Chapter 14: Ormyridae Chapter 15: Perilampidae Chapter 16: Pteromalidae Chapter 17: Signiphoridae Chapter 18: Tetracampidae Chapter 19: Torymidae Chapter 20: Trichogrammatidae Chapter 21: Diversity of Iranian Chalcidoidea

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Book SynopsisThis is an essential reference for describing, measuring and classifying the foliage of flowering plants. The presented system provides long-needed guidelines for characterizing the organization, shape, venation, and surface features of angiosperm leaves. In contrast to systems focusing on reproductive characters for identification, the emphasis is on macroscopic features of the leaf blade including leaf characters, venation, and tooth characters. The advantage of this system is that it allows for the classification of plants independently of their flowers, which is especially useful for fossil leaves (usually found in isolation) and tropical plants (whose flowering cycles are brief and irregular, and whose fruits and flowers may be difficult to access). An illustrated terminology including detailed definitions and annotated illustrations is the focus of the classification system, the aim of which is to provide a framework with comparative examples to allow both modern and fossil leaves to be described and classified consistently.Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: General Definitions 3: Leaf Characters 4: Vein Definitions 5: Vein Characters 6: Tooth Definitions 7: Tooth Characters 8: References Appendix A: Summary of Characters and Character States Appendix B: Examples of Scored Leaves Appendix C: Vouchers Appendix D: Instructions for Clearing Leaves

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Book SynopsisThis book is the third volume in the Handbook of Zoology series which treats the systematics and biology of Coleoptera. With approximately 350,000 described species, Coleoptera are by far the most species-rich order of insects and the largest group of animals of comparable geological age. This third Coleoptera volume completes the Morphology and Systematics volumes with 43 chapters and covers one of the largest radiations of beetles, the mainly plant-feeding Phytophaga, with information on world distribution, biology, morphology of all life stages (including anatomy), phylogeny and comments on taxonomy.Trade Review"This volume is certainly a milestone in weevil systematics and will be so for a long time."Rolf Oberprieler, CSIRO Australia

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Book SynopsisThe Insects has been the standard textbook in the field since the first edition published over forty years ago. Building on the strengths of Chapman's original text, this long-awaited 5th edition has been revised and expanded by a team of eminent insect physiologists, bringing it fully up-to-date for the molecular era. The chapters retain the successful structure of the earlier editions, focusing on particular functional systems rather than taxonomic groups and making it easy for students to delve into topics without extensive knowledge of taxonomy. The focus is on form and function, bringing together basic anatomy and physiology and examining how these relate to behaviour. This, combined with nearly 600 clear illustrations, provides a comprehensive understanding of how insects work. Now also featuring a richly illustrated prologue by George McGavin, this is an essential text for students, researchers and applied entomologists alike.Trade Review'If you want to understand how the natural world works, you need to know about insects - the most successful and important multi-cellular organisms on our planet. The key to that understanding is now in your hands. Extensively revised and updated, this is a quite extraordinary book and effectively summarises everything you need to know about insects. Authoritative yet accessible, The Insects: Structure and Function is the clearest and most comprehensive guide ever written on the workings of insects.' George McGavin, University Museum of Natural History and Oxford University'This new edition of The Insects: Structure and Function fascinates the reader with details on the morphology, processes and mechanisms which allow insects to burgeon on Earth. The tradition of excellence established by Chapman has been perpetuated. Thoroughly modernized and comprehensive, the revision captures the excitement of recent major advances in understanding.' Peter W. Price, Regents' Professor Emeritus, Northern Arizona University'… the standard textbook in the field since the first edition … this is an essential text for students, researchers and applied entomologists alike.' Bois et forêts des tropiquesTable of ContentsList of contributors; Preface; Acknowledgments; Prologue George C. McGavin; Part I. The Head, Ingestion, Utilization and Distribution of Food: 1. Head Stephen J. Simpson; 2. Mouthparts and feeding Stephen J. Simpson; 3. Alimentary canal, digestion and absorption Angela E. Douglas; 4. Nutrition Angela E. Douglas and Stephen J. Simpson; 5. Circulatory system, blood and the immune system Angela E. Douglas and Michael T. Siva-Jothy; 6. Fat body Deborah K. Hoshizaki, Allen G. Gibbs and Nichole D. Bond; Part II. The Thorax and Locomotion: 7. Thorax Graham K. Taylor; 8. Legs and locomotion Graham K. Taylor; 9. Wings and flight Graham K. Taylor; 10. Muscles John C. Sparrow; Part III. The Abdomen, Reproduction and Development: 11. Abdomen Leigh W. Simmons; 12. Reproductive system: male Leigh W. Simmons; 13. Reproductive system: female Leigh W. Simmons; 14. The egg and embryology Michael R. Strand; 15. Postembryonic development Stuart Reynolds; Part IV. The Integument, Gas Exchange and Homeostasis: 16. Integument Hans Merzendorfer; 17. Gaseous exchange Jon F. Harrison and Lutz Thilo Wasserthal; 18. Excretion and salt and water regulation Julian Dow; 19. Thermal relations John S. Terblanche; Part V. Communication; Section 1. Physiological Co-ordination within the Insect: 20. Nervous system Stephen Rogers; 21. Endocrine system Stuart Reynolds; Section 2. Perception of the Environment: 22. Vision Michael F. Land and Lars Chittka; 23. Mechanoreception Tom Matheson; 24. Chemoreception Bronwen Cribb and David Merritt; Section 3. Communication with Other Organisms: 25. Visual signals: colour and light production Peter Vukusic and Lars Chittka; 26. Mechanical communication: producing sound and substrate vibrations Ralf Heinrich; 27. Chemical communication: pheromones and chemicals with interspecific significance Jeremy McNeil and Jocelyn G. Millar; Index.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisAn invaluable reference for botanists and horticulturalists, this book begins with an historical account of the significant changes in the ways plants have been known and named. It then provides a comprehensive glossary of generic and specific plant names, which includes the Greek, Latin, or other source of each name.Trade Review'This small book holds an incredible amount of information … a handy reference for anyone learning about plants … Understanding the history behind the rules of nomenclature should help the professional, student, and gardener alike to comprehend why plants are named the way they are.' Horticultural Science'… I judge a book, mostly, by how much I learn from it. And I learned a lot from this one.' Systematic Botany'A remarkably useful and interesting little book … should be on the bookshelf of every biologist.' Biological Conservation'The entire book is written in such a way that a person with limited botanical background can understand it, yet it does not come across as trivial or boring to the professional … The book is excellent.' William J. Crins, The Canadian Field-Naturalist'… thoroughly recommended as a scholarly and carefully produced guide to plant names and meanings.' Countryside… twice the size of the last edition with over 17,000 entries. … the 380 page glossary [is] the book's value and fascination. … In short, this book is a treasure – anyone with a glimmer of interest in plants should have a copy.' The Biologist'… The increase in information is incredible. The authors of the family treatments and specialists that have contributed to this volume are warmly complimented on the results. … This is an extremely useful, valuable and essential contribution and it is recommended to all who want to know what names 'mean'. I am going to buy this book.' BlumeaTable of ContentsPreface; The nature of the problem; The size of the problem; Towards a solution to the problem; The rules of botanical nomenclature - Family names; Generic names; Species names; Epithets commemorating people; Geographical epithets; Categories below the rank of species; Hybrids; Synonymy and illegitimacy; The international code of nomenclature for cultivated plants; Graft chimaeras; The glossary; Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisMabberley's Plant-book is internationally accepted as an essential reference for anyone studying, growing or writing about plants. Updated throughout to reflect current literature and with 1400 additional entries, this new edition will ensure that it continues to rank among the most practical and authoritative botanical texts available.Trade Review'[The book] brings together the latest information on plant classification, catalogues all generic names of seed-plants, ferns and clubmosses, and economically important mosses and algae, provides concise information on plant morphology and geographical distribution, and has a wealth of information on plant uses. With each new edition, entries for vernacular and trade names are growing in number … In fact the 26,000 entries are so rich in information, that in a way the Plant-book can replace a whole botanical library. … Mabberley's Plant-book remains a treasure-trove of botanical knowledge ' Pieter Baas, IAWA Journal'David Mabberley has rendered a singular service to the field of botany through successive editions of his comprehensive and highly accurate Plant-book. The appearance of a thoroughly-revised 4th edition is a welcome event; in the rapidly-changing field of plant names, it completely supersedes all earlier editions and would be a worthy addition to both personal and institutional libraries to serve as a ready reference to the whole range of generic and higher-order names of vascular plants, complete with information on economically and ecologically important species and cultivars … The access to the primary literature that this masterful work makes possible is of fundamental importance for botanical research of any kind … Mabberley has produced an essential reference for botanists, gardeners and naturalists, professional or amateur, that is a pleasure to browse and enjoy as a fine aid to discovery.' Peter H. Raven, President Emeritus, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis'… an invaluable and authoritative reference work to be kept close at hand and dipped into regularly for enlightenment and entertainment.' Karen Wilson, Australasian Systematic Botany Society NewsletterPraise for previous edition: 'The Plant-Book is now widely established as a classic botanical work and an essential reference for any person, professional or amateur … recommended as an essential and modern reference for anyone interested in botany.' New Zealand Journal of BotanyPraise for previous edition: 'No-one working seriously with living vascular plants should be without a copy.' ChoicePraise for previous edition: 'Send your congratulations to Mabberley by purchasing a copy. It may encourage him to produce a [new] edition.' P. Mick Richardson, Plant Science BulletinPraise for previous edition: 'This book is an extremely valuable reference for researchers in plant biology, and perhaps even more for those in other fields involving plants. The compact format of the book adds to its value, making it a portable reference.' Neal M. Williams, The Quarterly Review of BiologyPraise for previous edition: 'This is first and foremost a reference for taxonomists and is a most handy and useful book for horticulturists wishing for a comprehensive single volume for taxonomic inquiry. The book contains an incredible amount of information and is a credit to the perseverance and work of Dr Mabberley.' Allan M. Armitage, HortSciencePraise for previous edition: 'The 858 thin (but strong) pages, the hard cover, and the small dimensions … make this book the true portable, practical and most updated reference manual on today's market, and I recommend it to any person interested in plants.' BrittaniaPraise for previous edition: 'David J. Mabberley and his wondrous Plant-Book … being all encompassing and indispensable, the botanical equivalent of Johnson's Dictionary.' Tim Flannery, The New York Review of BooksPraise for previous edition: 'I am rarely without Mabberley's Plant-Book. Not only my desert-island book, it's one that would actually be useful on a desert island, even if the island had nothing more to offer than the cartoonist's obligatory coconut palm. Essential kit for botanists, gardeners and naturalists … Much more than a gazetteer of global flora, it includes the currently accepted botanical name of each genus, details of its distribution and ecology, its biology and taxonomic relationships, its vernacular names and the uses made of it by humankind. It achieves all this in only 1,040 pages by resorting to a botanical shorthand that's compressed but never cryptic.' Country LifePraise for previous edition: '… this is a plant dictionary of a different sort, written for botanists, horticulturalists, ecologists and writers, and listing everything you could possibly need to know about plants.' The Professional GardenerPraise for previous edition: 'This book is in a class of its own. … this has long been, and still is, the book to have if you are interested in plants in any way. Should you want to know what family a plant genus is in, or how many species are in the genus Solanum, or what strange uses some plants are put to, this book is indispensable. … This book is unique. It is an indispensable resource that belongs on every plant lover's shelf, to be consulted often and to be enjoyed.' The Plantsman'I can scarcely improve on the hosannas sung in my review of the first edition … [it] is the single most used botany book I have, one that gets almost daily consultation.' Rudolf Schmid, Taxon'… a fact book for which I shall almost eternally be grateful. Botanists and serious gardeners everywhere should go down on their knees in gratitude for Cambridge University Press and for the travail of Dr D. J. Mabberley who has laboured to produce The Plant Book. I can only join fellow botanists and horticulturists in saying Thank You'.' Stefan Buczacki, The GuardianTable of ContentsIntroduction; How to use this book and get most out of it; The dictionary; Appendix: system for arrangement of extant vascular plants; Acknowledgement of sources: 1. Floras and handbooks, websites; 2. Periodicals; Abbreviations and symbols (used in this book): 1. General; 2. Authors' names; New names used in this book.

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Book SynopsisThe broader social context in which scientists work is just as important to the project of naming, describing, classifying, and, ultimately, explaining life.Trade ReviewFor those with an interest in the history of natural history. -- Ian Paulsen, GrrlScientist Guardian A very readable account of the long-lived naturalist/entomologist Karl Jordan (1861-1959). Choice Any college-level natural history holding will find this enlightening. Midwest Book Review Karl Jordan's innovative methods of classifying insect species are highlighted in this biography of the early 20th century entomologist. Science News Ordering Life, by Kristin Johnson, is one part biography to three parts history and philosophy of science. 'Jordan serves as a useful guide', Johnson writes, 'not only to understanding how knowledge about biodiversity is obtained but how the answer to that question has changed over time and why'. -- Louise Fabiani Times Literary Supplement There are layers of richness in Johnson's book and readers will doubtless draw their own conclusions for Johnson's pleasong style leads the reader by means of historical narrtive rather than proselytization. -- Malcolm J. Scoble Biological Journal of the Linnean SocietyTable of ContentsIntroduction1. Joining the Naturalist Tradition"Beetles. Beautiful beetles"Becoming a ZoologistThe Cosmopolitan NaturalistsThe "nice berth": Curating a Zoological MuseumMobilizing the Naturalist Tradition2. Reforming EntomologyThe "strange mixture" of EntomologistsHow to Do EntomologyThe "making" of SpeciesA New Type of CollectionRetraining the Natural History Network3. Ordering Beetles, Butterflies, and Moths"The great desideratum"Revising the SwallowtailsMaking Systematics ScientificCrossing over to BiologyAmassing the Concreta4. Ordering NaturalistsMen of Two ClassesOrganizing EntomologistsThe End of Tring's Heyday"Science knows no country"A "nation of Entomologists"5. A Descent into DisorderTelling "which way the wind blows"The Balance of Europe Is UpsetThe StandstillRecovering Friends, Committees, and Congresses I"The requirements for a thorough investigation"Taxonomy in a Changed WorldThe Rise of Applied EntomologyThe Rise of Applied EntomologyVarious Utopias I: The Ithaca CongressVarious Utopias II: The International Entomological InstituteA Lad's Last Marble7. The Ruin of War and the Synthesis of BiologyThe Edges of EmpireWhere Subspecies Meet"The end of Tring as we have known and cherished it""Provided Europe does not get quite mad""Without the collection I am hopeless"8. Naturalists in a New LandscapeRecovering Friends, Committees, and Congresses IIThe Quest to "clear up the chaos" in Weevils and FleasAvoiding the Snake in the GrassGlorified Office BoysLate for a KnighthoodConclusionAcknowledgments

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Book SynopsisThe first, definitive reference on the natural history and ecology of every one of the known 6500+ species of lizards, spanning the entire globe. Our planet is literally crawling with lizards. More than 6500 species are known to science, and new species are being discovered annually. In this monumental work, eminent researcher Gordon Rodda has created the first compilation of the natural histories of all the world's lizards and amphisbaenians, as well as the Tuatara. Although other books have attempted to survey the scope of adaptations present in the world's lizards, only Rodda has been able to quantify and summarize all species or higher taxa. Analyzing the relationships among traits such as morphologic characteristics, reproductive strategies, and food sources, Rodda uncovers novel insights into reptile ecology. Identifying 14 recurring character syndromes across all the world's lizards, he proposes a new lens for categorization. He also touches on common names geographic range lTrade ReviewRodda has given us a new framework for thinking about lizard natural history . . . Any scholar of lizard biology or natural history should think of adding this book to their library. It will be a wonderful resource for years to come.—Trends in Ecology and EvolutionAnyone who wants to deeply understand the true nature of what makes a lizard a lizard will be left in awe of the level of scholarship, detailed research, thought, and creativity that went into this unique contribution . . . It absolutely belongs on the shelf of any lab with even a passing interest in herpetology and in every university library, if only for the sheer number of masters and doctoral theses it is sure to inspire.—Herpetological ReviewLizards of the World is an absolute must for any serious lizard biologist or graduate student planning to work with lizards. The price is hefty, but accounting for the time it would require to track down natural history data for any single species without this book makes it worth every cent . . . Serious readers will learn a lot of ecology and evolutionary biology from the text and should come away with a nearly unlimited set of ideas for future research.—ICHTHYOLOGY & HERPETOLOGYFrom Ablepharus to Zygaspis this book was a massive, unparalleled undertaking. The result is indisputably the most thorough coverage ever published of the biology of every known lizard in the world . . . This volume will be an essential reference for anyone conducting research on any species of lizard anywhere in the world. Its value as a source of natural history information cannot be overstated.—Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction and MethodsThe Interplay between Ecological and Phylogenetic CausationDefinitionsSize EstimationAnalytical MethodsChapter 2. What Are Lizards?CompositionMorphologySexually Differing TraitsGeographyActivityReproductionDietPopulationsThe Modal LizardChapter 3. LinkagesMethods Unique to This ChapterMassMorphologySexual Size DimorphismColorDietForagingTime of Day (Diel Activity)Predator Concealment TacticsMicrohabitatReproduction AllocationIslandsLongevityPopulation Density/BiomassIntroductionsImperiled LizardsNext StepsChapter 4. Ecological Business ModelsCrack HermitDiurnal Canopy WalkerGiant HerbivoreGliderGround-foraging Tree LizardImmobility ExpertLitter CryptozoidNocturnal Canopy WalkerNocturnal Ground LizardRefugia-anchored Diurnal Ground LizardSand SharkSubterranean ForagerTrunk/Wall LizardWide-ranging ChemosensorOverview of Ecological Business ModelsChapter 5. Taxon Accounts(alphabetical by family or genus name; use index to search by English name)A (Ablepharus to Australolacerta)B (Bachia to Bunopus)C (Cadeidae and Cadea to Cyrtopodion)D (Dactylocnemis to Dryadosaura)E (Ebenavia to Exila)F (Feylinia to Furcifer)G (Gallotia to Gymnophthalmus)H (Haackgreerius to Hypsilurus)I (Iberolacerta to Isopachys)J (Janetaescincus to Jarujinia)K (Kaestlea to Kolekanos)L (Lacerta to Lyriocephalus)M (Mabuya to Morunasaurus)N (Nactus to Nucras)O (Oedodera to Ouroborus)P (Pachycalamus to Pygopus)Q (Quedenfeldtia)R (Ramigekko to Rondonops)S (Saara to Strophurus)T (Tachygyia to Tytthoscincus)U (Uma to Uvidicolus)V (Vanzosaura to Voeltzkowia)W (Woodworthia)X (Xantusia to Xenosauridae and Xenosaurus)Z (Zonosaurus to Zygaspis)AcknowledgmentsAppendicesA. Database Fields and Comments on Their TabulationB. Methods for Quantifying Lizard SizesC. Standards for Qualification of Absolute Population DensitiesLiterature CitedIndex

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Book SynopsisWith loss of habitats throughout the world occurring at a staggering rate, it is critical to document what is being lost. This book strives to do that by focusing on longhorned woodboring beetles in Bolivia. Wholesale clearing of large tracts of land kills everything or forces species to move quickly to other areas, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem. This book will help people discover and appreciate some of the amazing diversity of life that exists in the undeveloped and/or remote natural areas of Bolivia.   Nearly 1,900 species of longhorned woodboring beetles (Disteniidae, Vesperidae, and Cerambycidae) are known from Bolivia (with more than 200 species yet to be determined). This work features 500 of them, representing the breadth of morphological evolution.

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