The Choanoflagellates

By Barry S.C. Leadbeater

Choanoflagellates have three distinctive claims to fame: they are the closest, living, unicellular relatives of animals; they are a major component of aquatic microbial foodwebs; and one group is remarkable for its siliceous basket-like coverings. This landmark book offers a unique synthesis of over forty years of choanoflagellates research. Key areas are covered, from the phylogenetic evidence supporting the sister-group relationship between choanoflagellates and Metazoa, to choanoflagellate distribution and diversity in marine and freshwater environments. The structure and assembly of choanoflagellate loricae is also presented together with a full discussion of a novel example of 'regulatory evolution', suggesting that the switch from nudiform to tectiform cell division and lorica production was achieved by a sudden reorganisation of existing structures and mechanisms. Providing an authoritative summary of what is currently known about choanoflagellates, this title will serve as a foundation upon which future research and discussion can take place.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521884446
• ISBN13: 9780521884440
• Release Date: February 2015
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 350 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.7"