Aspects of Decapod Crustacean Biology

A collection of essays dealing with themes in the life cycles and natural history of various species of decapod crustaceans with reference to both evolutionary trends and the economic importance of some species. Details of ongoing research are also included.

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This collection of essays deals with themes in the life cycles and natural history of various species of decapod crustaceans, The programme of the symposium was based loosely on the larval biology and ecophysiological adaptions of decapods. The background linking themes were life histories, including larval recruitment and other aspects of commercial exploitation of decapods. Since many of them are being farmed, their life cycle, behaviour and reproductive physiology are of particular interest. Others are fished from the wild, where issues such as the rate of growth and replenishment of populations, predation and movement are important considerations. In both cases, the uptake of trace metals and other potential pollutants is a concern. The symposium also included papers designed to be of interest to a wider spectrum of biologists such as evolutionary trends in these species and studies of ontogeny and taxonomy. Other papers discussed the general and endocrine physiology and nervous systems of these creatures. Some details of ongoing research were included.
The work is designed for those involved in invertebrate zoology, ecology, population biology, physiology, fisheries and neurobiology.