Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates

The First Edition of Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates has been immensely popular with students and researchers interested in freshwater biology and ecology, limnology, environmental science, invertebrate zoology, and related fields. The First Edition has been widely used as a textbook and this Second Edition should continue to serve students in advanced classes. The Second Edition features expanded and updated...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0126906475
• ISBN13: 9780126906479
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Academic Press
• Length: 1072 Pages
• Weight: 5.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.3" x 8.5" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Great

I needed this book for my Invertebrate Field Zoology class in college. It has extensive keys, great pictures, and a ton of info. Arrived in great condition and in a timely manner, thanks!

Excellent Book

I used this as the textbook for my aquatic invertebrates class, and I loved it. The book has 23 chapters, each of which is devoted to a different phylum of invertebrates, as well as one chapter devoted to aquatic insect ecology. The chapters are all written by experts on the specific phylum, but every chapter follows the same basic outline. There are also many well-labeled diagrams. I wouldn't recommend this book if you just want a casual introduction to invertebrates, because it is written on a graduate-course level. But if you are taking college classes in invertebrates or aquatic biology of any sort, I highly recommend this book.

A Good bench reference for non-insects

The other reviewers' descriptions are correct: this is a valuable reference. I would like to like to clarify this a little however. The text is an important tool for taxonomists and ecologists working with aquatic macroinvertebrates. However, its emphasis is clearly on non-insects. If you need to identify insects-the most abundant aquatic macroinvertebrates, you should use Merritt and Cummins (1996) text: An introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America. If you will be identifying samples for stream bioassessments you will need both of these books-and probably some others-as bench references. To use these references to identify organisms, you will need access to a laboratory because you will need glassware, forceps, microscopes and other tools and chemicals. Sometimes a dissecting scope is required. Sometimes you will need to mount parts of organisms on microscope slides to view them on a compound scope at high magnification. If you represent a volunteer group and don't have access to (or experience with) this type of equipment, this book may not be for you. You might be better off with Resse Voshell's book: A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America. His text generally has family-level taxonomy based on characteristics observable in the field. Both books contain interesting ecological information in addition to taxonomic identification. So yes, this book clearly deserves two "Thumbs Up" but you should consider your experience level, taxonomic need, and how you will use this book before you purchase it. I hope this helps you decide if the book is right for you. Feel free to email me with questions if necessary (brett@thebugguy.org). Best regards.

Excellent support for benthic macroinvertebrate surveys

A retired chemist, I have been using Thorp and Covich in connection with benthic macroinvertebrate surveys related to stream water quality work. The drawings are extremely clear, and the keys are excellent. As an amateur, I particularly appreciate the book's comprehensive glossary. If you find that Voshell's fine but brief Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America does not provide you with the level of detail you need, you'll almost certainly find Thorp and Covich very useful. A minor flaw--the page(s) listed in the index for an item are often three pages earlier than the page(s) in the book at which the item actually occurs.

Excellent macroinvertebrate reference book

I found this book to be an excellent reference source for me as a field biologist. The chapters contain background information for each family along with drawings and a chapter outline. I can compare the specimens I've collected to the drawings and descriptions in the book with confidence. A very useful reference for the field biologist.