Coleoptera, Beetles ― Morphology and Systematics (Elateroidea, Bostrichiformia, Cucujiformia partim)

The esteemed and enduring Handbook of Zoology, a German work initiated in the 1920s, treats the whole animal kingdom, from single-celled organisms to mammals, in eight volumes, offering overviews on animal systematics and morphology and coverage of physiology, behavior, ecology, and applied aspects of zoological research. The year 2010 heralds a radically revised format: the material is available online, and the print versions are made more practical as smaller, more narrowly focused volumes. Beetles will occupy four volumes, of which this is the second. Family by family, volume 2 covers the remaining polyphagan taxa (apart from Phytophaga) and recently described groups not included in the first volume. Two introductory chapters offer an update on beetle classification and a glossary of morphological terms. Upcoming beetle volumes will cover Phytophaga, and special topics of morphology, natural history, and evolution. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Rolf G. Beutel,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany; Richard A.B. Leschen,New Zealand Arthropod Collection, Land Care Research, Auckland, New Zealand;Niels P. Kristensen , Zoological Museum of theUniversity Copenhagen, Denmark.