Ecology of protozoa : the biology of free-living phagotrophic protists /

This excellent book, by an outstanding ecologist from Denmark, is written for ecologists and protozoologists and is designed to give a general review and discussion of the ecology of free-living phagotrophic protozoa. Fenchel limits his discussion to ciliates, flagellates, and sarcodines. B. Nisbet's Nutrition and Feeding Strategies in Protozoa (CH, Nov '84) discusses both free-living and parasitic protozoa, but is not so ecological in its orientation as is Fenchel's book. Fenchel begins with a general introduction, describing the size, structure, and functional features of particulate feeding protozoa, and follows with discussion of the functional biology of the protozoa, i.e., movement, orientation, bioenergetics, and symbiotic relationships with other organisms. The second half of the book deals in general ecological principles applied to protozoan populations and discusses protozoan communities in freshwater, marine, and terrestial habitats. Evidence is marshaled and a strong case made for the role these protozoa play as primary consumers in the food chain or webs in the ecosystems found in various habitats described. The book is well written and illustrated, and extensive references and index enhance its value. Recommended for all college libraries serving ecology, invertebrate biology, and cell biology courses.-R.F. Shaw, Seattle Pacific University