Download or read book Common Spiders of North America written by Richard A. Bradley and published by University of California Press. This book was released on 2019-11-12 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spiders are among the most diverse groups of terrestrial invertebrates, yet they are among the least studied and understood. This first comprehensive guide to all 68 spider families in North America beautifully illustrates 469 of the most commonly encountered species. Group keys enable identification by web type and other observable details, and species descriptions include identification tips, typical habitat, geographic distribution, and behavioral notes. A concise illustrated introduction to spider biology and anatomy explains spider relationships. This book is a critical resource for curious naturalists who want to understand this ubiquitous and ecologically critical component of our biosphere.

Download or read book Mites written by Cabi and published by C A B International. This book was released on 1999 with total page 322 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There are over 40,000 named species of mite, and if estimates for unnamed species are included, then up to 1 million may grace the planet. By comparison, there are approximately 40,000 species of vertebrates, half of them fish, alive today. Mites are predators, parasites, herbivores and detritivores. They live in the dark depths of the ocean, in the lungs of birds, on the leaves of rainforest plants, and in human clothes and bedding. They are vectors of disease, vital players in soil formation, and important agents of biological control. Despite the grand diversity of mites, these small arthropods are often overlooked, and even trained biologists can be unaware of their significance. This books aims to fill the gap in our understanding of these intriguing creatures. It surveys life cycles, feeding behavior, reproductive biology and host-associations of mites, without requiring prior knowledge of their morphology or taxonomy. The text is richly illustrated with line drawings and photographs. Topics covered include evolution of mites and other arachnids, mites in soil and water, mites on plants and animals, sperm transfer and reproduction, and mites as models of ecological and evolutionary theories.

Download or read book Next Generation Systematics written by Peter D. Olson and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2016-06-16 with total page 363 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cheap and plentiful genome sequence data is transforming biology, and will surely transform systematics. This volume explores how.