I have written this book because there is, as in almost all supraspecific ciliate taxa, an ur gent need for an up-to-date revision of the oxytrichids, which are common in terrestrial, limnetic, and marine biotopes. The last comprehensive, illustrated guides to this group of hypotrichs were provided by KAHL (1932) and SmLER (1974b); however, as regards syn onymy and faunistics, these works are outdated and not as detailed as EHRENBERG'S out standing book from 1838. In KAHL's revision, the oxytrichids sensu stricto are described on about 30 pages, whereas in the present book the systematic section comprises about 830 pages. This extraordinary increase in page number is mainly due to the following points: (i) Species number increased from about SO in KAHL to about 170 in the present book. (ii) KAHL usually provided only a single illustration of each species, whereas almost all published illustrations on oxytrichid ciliates are included in my book. (iii) Modern, phylogenetic systematics of oxytrichids without morphogenetic data is impossible; conse quentlY,·almost all detailed descriptions, usually dealing with the type species, have been included. (iv) Synonymy is discussed, and not only mentioned, as is unfortunately usual.
`... up-to-date book provides comprehensive information on both historical and recent research... almost all ecological, physiological and faunistic information...in the last 300 years is mentioned... not only a super field guide, but also a must-get reference book both for the novice and experienced taxonomist alike and should be on the shelves of every ciliatology laboratory.' ` This ambitious monograph of the Oxytrichidae, which clearly reveals the breath of the Foissner-school, is a highly welcome addition to the book shelf of ciliatologists, not only as a field guide, but also as a reference book which will be valid for decades, if not for a century or more.'
Microbiology Today (August 2000)
Microbiology Today (August 2000)
'... up-to-date book provides comprehensive information on both historical and recent research... almost all ecological, physiological and faunistic information...in the last 300 years is mentioned... not only a super field guide, but also a must-get reference book both for the novice and experienced taxonomist alike and should be on the shelves of every ciliatology laboratory.' ` This ambitious monograph of the Oxytrichidae, which clearly reveals the breath of the Foissner-school, is a highly welcome addition to the book shelf of ciliatologists, not only as a field guide, but also as a reference book which will be valid for decades, if not for a century or more.' -- Microbiology Today (August 2000)