Oligochaetae

Oligochaetes are a widely distributed and diverse group of invertebrates. They are segmented worms, comprising over 8,000 terrestrial and aquatic species. Elusive and poorly known, oligochaetes play important roles in almost all ecosystems, ranging from the poles to the tropics. As such, they are commonly used as indicators of water quality and ecosystem health.In The Netherlands and Belgium, the aquatic oligochaetes inhabit freshwater to marine environments. To date, a total of 136 species of aquatic oligochaetes have been reported in these countries, including Germany. All of these are featured in this book.Aquatic oligochaetes of The Netherlands and Belgium is the first book to focus on this important group in this part of Europe. It presents a comprehensive overview of these animals, focusing on morphology, collecting and preservation, identification, and ecology. It also discusses the oligochaete fauna of Germany. Moreover, it offers a new, practical key for identification to species level. This key mainly uses characteristics that are easy to observe, and is supported by clear photographs and schematic drawings. For each species, information is provided on its ecology and distribution.This unique book is an invaluable tool for aquatic ecologists.