The Choanoflagellates : Evolution, Biology and Ecology

Choanoflagellates are the closest known living, unicellular relatives of animals. This landmark book presents a unique, comprehensive discussion of choanoflagellates with respect to their ultrastructure, silicon utilisation for skeletal purposes, contribution to microbial food webs, and molecular phylogeny. Also included is a novel account of the production of the basket-like lorica.

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.