Annelida

This comprehensive taxonomic reference explores the diverse phylum of segmented worms, covering various groups and reflecting recent research. It features detailed chapters, anatomical insights, and stunning illustrations for biologists and zoologists alike.

Annelida serves as a comprehensive and updated taxonomic reference that expands upon the classic work Polychaetes from 2001. This new edition broadens its focus to include additional groups such as Clitellata, Sipuncula, and Thalassematidae, thus offering a more inclusive understanding of the annelid phylum. Annelids, commonly known as segmented worms, inhabit a wide variety of environments, ranging from marine to freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, showcasing remarkable diversity in size and form.

The book begins with a clear introduction to the phylum Annelida, providing a detailed outline of its taxonomy. It discusses essential aspects of collecting these organisms, methods for their preservation, and offers an overview of their anatomy, complete with relevant terminology. The core of the work consists of 77 taxonomic chapters that reflect the latest anatomical and molecular phylogenomic research, organized according to a new phylogenetic hypothesis. This structure ensures that readers gain a thorough understanding of the current state of annelid classification.

Illustrated with hundreds of high-resolution color images and scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs, Annelida beautifully showcases the diversity and complexity of these organisms. This definitive reference is not only invaluable for annelid biologists but also appeals to a wider audience, including invertebrate zoologists, systematists, and organismal biologists seeking to deepen their understanding of these fascinating creatures.