OPHIUROID LITERATURE AND

REFERENCES FOR SYSTEMATICS RESEARCH

Taxonomic work requires access to a lot of  older literature. While in many technology fields, literature over 10  years old is considered obsolete, in systematic biology,  literature  is typically 50 to 100 years old or older. Unfortunately, the limited  audience for these works meant that few were originally published and  distributed, so even fewer are available to work with today.  In some  cases, unfortunately, the text is disposed of and the plates are sold  (like the one at right). I am planning on digitizing some of the  traditional literature for ophiuroids to make it accessible to   researchers around the world. This also minimizes the use of the  rapidly deteriorating paper volumes in our libraries.

Newer literature is also available for  echinoderms and for advice and application of systematic  research.  Some of these are also presented here. For some systematic  references, you may wish to use the "Technology "  link. This will take you to the bleeding edge of systematic  research, and beyond.

To view .pdf files, you will need Acrobat  Reader, available for free download.

TITLE

AUTHOR, YEAR

FILE SIZE

COMMENTS

Synoptic Key to the Genera of Ophiuroidea

COMING SOON!

H.B. Fell, 1961

-

Though flawed, this is the most comprehensive  key to the genera and families of ophiuroids. Not all of the genera  covered are currently  valid, so additional work must be done for  proper identification. Nonetheless, this is the best sarting point  for identification.

The Japanese Ophiuroidea, arranged according  to a new classification

COMING SOON!

S. Matsumoto, 1917

-

The Ophiuroidea have never been monographed,  so this is the "key" work on the group. It presents the  only major reclassification of the ophiuroids.

COVER

BOOK TITLE

AUTHOR, YEAR

COMMENTS and AVAILABILITY

Sea Stars, Sea Urchins, and Allies: Echinoderms of Florida and the Caribbean

Gordon Hendler, John E. Miller, David L. Pawson, Porter M. Kier

1995

A beautiful book that is perfect for the armchair biologist or the  professional echinodermologist! Written by four experts in echinoderm  taxonomy, this book  features identifications of the common  echinoderms of the Caribbean as well as some spectacular photos. The  book is available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble (bn.com) and other  online booksellers.

Describing Species : Practical Taxonomic Procedures for Biologists

 

Judith E. Winston

1999

 

An excellent resource for the student taxonomist and even seasoned  curators! Covers basics of nomenclature and more! Available at  Amazon.com and other online sellers in paperback and hardcover.

Biological Systematics : Principles and Applications

Randall T. Schuh

2000

Another excellent resource for students of systematics covering  fundamentals of cladistic analysis using parsimony. Available through  online booksellers in hardcover.

Kids Stuff!

Here are a few good childrens books on the Deep Sea