Reproductive Strategies and Developmental Patterns in Annelids

The fascination of the Annelida to scientists lies in the beauty of their structures and the functionality of their body plan, the tremendous adaptive radiation which has made it possible for these animals to colonize almost all marine, limnic and terrestrial biotopes. In doing so they have evolved a great variety of life forms, and their reproduction and development are correspondingly diverse, with many modes and patterns unique in the animal kingdom. In this special volume recent progress in this broad research area is presented by 26 specialists, in general through surveys or treatments of selected examples. Some of them review important annelid taxa such as the Nereididae, Syllidae, Spionidae, Cirratulidae, Clitellata, and Pogonophora; others analyse reproductive and developmental structures and phenomena in annelids, e.g. segmental organs, sex pheromones, oogenesis, mating systems, sperm types, life cycles, larval settlement, cleavage and symmetry of embryos, or discuss controversial approaches to annelid systematics. The book will be of interest to all zoologists who work with annelids as well as to embryologists and other researchers in reproductive biology.

`The strength of the book lies in the comparative and interactive consideration of many taxa and phenomena and the overall phylogenetic background. Of particular use are the well-done reviews of relevant literature on the reproductive biology of various families ... the book is a must for everyone who is interested in reproductive biology of annelids.' Spixiana, 24:2 (2001)
`...it is of fine quality... excellent illustrations... it will appeal primarily to annelid specialists, but it will also be of interest as an occasional reference to those with more general interests in animal development and life histories.' American Zoologist, 40 (2000)