Arthropod Fossils and Phylogeny

"The editor has solicited all specialists currently involved in this field of research and instructed them to give their frank opinion. The result is most interesting: though in some of the major issues a trend to consensus can be noted, in other topics opinions diverge widely, and all have been amply corroborated by sound arguments! In this way we receive the most timely information "right from the horse's mouth" and we become aware of the latest developments from the very forefront of science. It seems clear that anyone who'd wish to contribute to the field encompassing the origin and diversification of the arthropod phylum in forthcoming years, can find a thorough and comprehensive reference in the various contributions put together in this volume...Not surprisingly, the crustaceans figure prominently in many of the papers: items like their position in the arthropod tree (Chapters 1, 2), their relationships with annelids/annelid-like ancestors and crustacean-like extinct groups (Ch. 2), the origin of the schizoramous limb (Ch. 4, 5) and the origin and homology of the various, differentiated appendages of the crustaceans, approached just as well from a phylogenetic as from an ontogenetic point of view (Ch. 5), and, finally, the interrelationships of the taxa composing the Crustacea, both extant and extinct (Ch. 6), are all addressed in extenso by the various contributors.The composition, lay-out, printing, and binding have been well taken care of: a fine publication indeed, loaded with interesting details on the roots as well as the radiation(s) of the jointed-legged animals." -- J. C. von Vaupel Klein, "Crustaceana"