The Biology of Millipedes [Hardcover]

Millipedes are commonly found in the leaf litter fauna of most terrestrial environments where they play an essential ecological role.The Biology of Millipedesis the first single-volume review of this important group and covers their evolution, ecology, behavior, and physiology. The book is essential reading for terrestrial ecologists, zoologists, and students taking courses in invertebrate biology. Introductory chapters consider millipede taxonomy and phylogeny, basic anatomy, locomotion, and ecomorphology. Later chapters review feeding and digestion, metabolism, nerves, and neurosecretion, together with all aspects of millipede development. In the final chapters, special attention is paid to defenses against predators, the importance of millipedes in decomposition processes, and their role as pests. The authors provide an extremely comprehensive bibliography of research papers and other literature.

1. General Introduction
2. Taxonomy, Evolution and Zoogeography
3. Basic Anatomy, Locomotion and Ecomorphology
4. Feeding and Digestion
5. Metabolism, Excretion and Water Balance
6. Nervous, Sensory and Neurosecretory Systems
7. Gametogenesis and Fertilization
8. Development, Moulting and Life Histories
9. Predators, Parasites and Defence
10. Ecology

Hopkin and Read have written a superb and much needed general introductory book on millipedes. The figures are informative, detailed, and well integrated with the text. The authors' writing style is straightforward, thorough, and even. The printing and binding of the text are excellent; the references extensive and contemporary. All in all, an important text that should be in the libraries of colleges and universities with undergraduate and graduate programs in agriculture, biology, entomology, and natural history. --Choice

If you are interested in rearing millipedes, this book has lots of basic and applied information that will allow you to better lƒ`