The Evolutionary History of Nematodes: As Revealed in Stone, Amber and Mummies

Poinar (nematology, Oregon State U.) presents his extensive knowledge of fossil nematodes, including 33 newly identified fossil genera and 66 new species from amber, in this volume intended for students, teachers and researchers of nematology and related fields. He follows a short exploration of the benefits of studying nematodes preserved in amber, rock deposits, trace fossils, and coprolites, with an in-depth description of the known fossil nematodes, cataloged by geologic period and including extensive photos and information regarding their anatomy, host species, movement, maturation and reproduction. He closes with a consideration of the topics of questionable fossil descriptions and misleading artifacts, the chronological origins of nematodes and the evolution of parasitism, and types of additional evidence to be gleaned exclusively from the fossil nematode record. Annotation 穢2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)