scholarly journals A Call for a Better Understanding of Aquatic Chytrid Biology

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davis Laundon ◽  
Michael Cunliffe

The phylum Chytridiomycota (the “chytrids”) is an early-diverging, mostly unicellular, lineage of fungi that consists of significant aquatic saprotrophs, parasites, and pathogens, and is of evolutionary interest because its members retain biological traits considered ancestral in the fungal kingdom. While the existence of aquatic chytrids has long been known, their fundamental biology has received relatively little attention. We are beginning to establish a detailed understanding of aquatic chytrid diversity and insights into their ecological functions and prominence. However, the underpinning biology governing their aquatic ecological activities and associated core processes remain largely understudied and therefore unresolved. Many biological questions are outstanding for aquatic chytrids. What are the mechanisms that control their development and life cycle? Which core processes underpin their aquatic influence? What can their biology tell us about the evolution of fungi and the wider eukaryotic tree of life? We propose that the field of aquatic chytrid ecology could be further advanced through the improved understanding of chytrid biology, including the development of model aquatic chytrids and targeted studies using culture-independent approaches.

Author(s):  
Judith Fuchs

This chapter describes the taxonomy of Phoronida, a small group of exclusively marine invertebrates found in most of the world's oceans from the intertidal zone to about 400 metres depth. Phoronids are meroplanktonic with a planktonic larval stage usually less than 2 mm in length and a benthic adult whose length ranges from a few cm up to 50 cm. The chapter covers their life cycle, ecology, and general morphology. It includes a section that indicates the systematic placement of the taxon described within the tree of life, and lists the key marine representative illustrated in the chapter (usually to genus or family level). This section also provides information on the taxonomic authorities responsible for the classification adopted, recent changes which might have occurred, and lists relevant taxonomic sources.


Author(s):  
Claudia Castellani ◽  
Robert Camp

This chapter describes the taxonomy of Polychaeta, an almost exclusively marine group of organisms belonging to the phylum Annelida. With over 10,000 species described worldwide, they represent one of the most abundant animal taxa in the marine environment. The chapter covers their life cycle, ecology, and general morphology. It includes a section that indicates the systematic placement of the taxon described within the tree of life, and lists the key marine representative illustrated in the chapter (usually to genus or family level). This section also provides information on the taxonomic authorities responsible for the classification adopted, recent changes which might have occurred, and lists relevant taxonomic sources.


Author(s):  
Alistair J. Lindley

This chapter describes the taxonomy of Euphausiacea, exclusively marine holoplanktonic crustaceans commonly known as krill. Although not highly diverse, with only two families and ~ 86 species worldwide, they are often a major component of the biomass of the plankton and micronekton of the world's oceans. This chapter covers their life cycle, ecology, and general morphology. It includes a section that indicates the systematic placement of the taxon described within the tree of life, and lists the key marine representative illustrated in the chapter (usually to genus or family level). This section also provides information on the taxonomic authorities responsible for the classification adopted, recent changes which might have occurred, and lists relevant taxonomic sources.


Author(s):  
Claudia Castellani ◽  
Maiju Lehtiniemi ◽  
Kenneth Meland

This chapter describes the taxonomy of Lophogastrida and Mysida, small shrimp-like crustaceans commonly known as ‘opossum shrimps’ because of the ventral brood pouch in the female. Because of their highly adaptive nature, they have progressively invaded new areas via new connections of water systems and through ballast water. The chapter covers their life cycle, ecology, and general morphology. It includes a section that indicates the systematic placement of the taxon described within the tree of life, and lists the key marine representative illustrated in the chapter (usually to genus or family level). This section also provides information on the taxonomic authorities responsible for the classification adopted, recent changes which might have occurred, and lists relevant taxonomic sources.


Author(s):  
Martin V. Angel ◽  
Anthony W.G. John

This chapter describes the taxonomy of Ostracoda, small bivalved crustaceans ranging in size from 0.2 to > 30 mm. The majority are benthic and belong to the subclass Podocopa. The chapter focuses on the holoplanktonic oceanic species. It covers their life cycle, ecology, and general morphology. It includes a section that indicates the systematic placement of the taxon described within the tree of life, and lists the key marine representative illustrated in the chapter (usually to genus or family level). This section also provides information on the taxonomic authorities responsible for the classification adopted, recent changes which might have occurred, and lists relevant taxonomic sources.


Author(s):  
Rowena Stern ◽  
Claire Taylor ◽  
Saeed Sadri

This chapter describes the taxonomy of foraminifera. Foraminifera are one of the most common shelled marine organisms and date back to the Cambrian era where they are responsible for the colour of the sediment on some shorelines. The chapter covers their life cycle, ecology and distribution, and generalized morphology. It includes a section that indicates the systematic placement of the taxon described within the tree of life, and lists the key marine representative illustrated in the chapter (usually to genus or family level). This section also provides information on the taxonomic authorities responsible for the classification adopted, recent changes which might have occurred, and lists relevant taxonomic sources.


Author(s):  
Alex Kraberg ◽  
Rowena Stern ◽  
Michaela Strüder-Kypke

This chapter describes the taxonomy of ciliates. Ciliates can be found in almost every environment; the majority of species, however, are aquatic and occur in marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats. They play a major role in nutrient cycling in the food web; some are also capable of photosynthesis through acquisition of chloroplasts from their prey. The chapter covers their life cycle, generalized morphology, and ecology and distribution. It includes a section that indicates the systematic placement of the taxon described within the tree of life, and lists the key marine representative illustrated in the chapter (usually to genus or family level). This section also provides information on the taxonomic authorities responsible for the classification adopted, recent changes which might have occurred, and lists relevant taxonomic sources.


Author(s):  
Peter Munk ◽  
Jørgen G. Nielsen

This chapter describes the taxonomy of fish eggs and larvae. Most fish eggs and larvae are planktonic, and are commonly found in plankton net tows. Collectively these fish stages are referred to as ichthyoplankton. The chapter covers their life cycle, ecology, and general morphology. It includes a section that indicates the systematic placement of the taxon described within the tree of life, and lists the key marine representative illustrated in the chapter (usually to genus or family level). This section also provides information on the taxonomic authorities responsible for the classification adopted, recent changes which might have occurred, and lists relevant taxonomic sources.


Africa ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 386-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chapurukha M. Kusimba

Ironsmiths occupy an important yet ambiguous position in many African societies. They are both revered and feared, because they wield social power which arises from their access to occult knowledge, not only of metallurgy but of healing, divination, circumcision and peacemaking. In some societies smiths enjoy high status and are the wealthiest people. In others they are feared, covertly maligned, and blamed for societal misfortunes. In still others the smiths' position is often marginal except when they are needed to intercede on their society's behalf to solve natural or cultural predicaments. The forge or smithy plays a central role in the community as tool-making centre, a place of refuge from violence, of purification, and for healing. This article examines the social context of iron forging among the ironsmiths of the Kenya coast, focusing on the role of iron forging in the coastal economy, the forge, the smiths' life cycle, the institution of apprenticeship, the ritual and technical power of smiths, the role of women in the smiths' community, and the future of iron forging on the coast. It is argued that, while coastal smiths are marginal and despised, they hold important ritual and spiritual powers in coastal society. The article concludes that a detailed understanding of the traditional crafts historically practised on the coast can do much to illuminate the complex history of coastal society.


Author(s):  
F. Nugnes ◽  
G. Viggiani

Anagrus lindberginae sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), an egg par- asitoid of the leafhopper Lindbergina aurovittata (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), is described from Italy. It is included in the atomus group of Anagrus Haliday and compared with the allied known taxa. The parasitoid’s life cycle is characterized by a long larval diapause from spring to fall, which allows for synchronization with its leafhop- per host; other biological traits of A. lindberginae on the evergreen plant Quercus ilex are discussed.


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