Lars Gutow is a marine biologist with strong interest in benthic ecology. He is studying the responses of species and ecosystems to changing environmental conditions. He is also investigating seafloor habitats and species community dynamics in the context of marine conservation. Martin Thiel is a marine biologist with strong interest in animal behavior and natural history. During the past 25 years, he has conducted studies on crustacean behavior ranging from evolution of parental care behaviors to mating interactions and anti-predator behaviors. He is also interested in dispersal ecology and biogeography, and in promoting the participation of citizen scientists in marine research.

Crustaceans are bizarre, beautiful and extremely diverse in their morphology, behavior, lifestyle and ecology. The book provides a fascinating overview of the importance of their diversity, ecology, anthropogenic drivers impacting life cycles, distribution and invasion and documenting the urgent need for conservation. It is fun reading and learning. Who has not been in love with crustaceans will be now!". - Angelika Brandt, Professor for Marine Zoology, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum

• PrefaceAcknowledgementsList of contributors Chapter 1. Crustaceans as Prey in Aquatic and Terrestrial Food Webs Martin Thiel, and Lars Gutow Chapter 2. Crustaceans as Herbivores, Predators, and General ConsumersRochelle D. Seitz, Romuald N. Lipcius, Jainita Patel, and Gina M. Ralph Chapter 3. Vultures of the Sea and Shredders in the Woods: Crustaceans as Detritivores and ScavengersJonas C. Geburzi, and Martin Zimmer Chapter 4. The Importance of Marine Benthic Crustaceans as Bioturbators, Habitat Modifiers and Ecosystem Function RegulatorsHazel Needham, Michael Townsend, and Andrew Lohrer Chapter 5. Crustaceans as Intermediate Hosts in The Life Cycles of ParasitesRobert Poulin Chapter 6. Competition in Crustaceans: Patterns, Mechanisms, and ConsequencesStuart R. Jenkins Chapter 7. The Ecological Importance of Crustacean DiversityRebecca J. Best, and Moritz D. Lürig. Chapter 8. Crustacean Responses to Habitat Loss, Fragmentation, and ModificationKevin Hovel Chapter 9. Impacts of Ocean Change on CrustaceansChristian Pansch, Marian Hu, Dirk Weihrauch, and Christian Buschbaum Chapter 10. Effects of Anthropogenic Stressors on Crustacean Zooplankton in LakesDietmar Straile Chapter 11. Impacts of Contaminants on Crustaceans in the FieldAlex T. Ford, and Thomas Knigge Chapter 12. Conservation Genetics of CrustaceansKeith A. Crandall Chapter 13. Causes and Consequences of Invasions by Non-Native CrustaceansEdwin Grosholz Chapter 14. Habitat-Based Conservation of Anchialine Cave CrustaceansThomas M. Iliffe, Alejandro Martínez, Fernando Alvarez, and William F. Humphreys Chapter 15. Recovery of Crustacean Populations in Protected AreasEven Moland, Raquel Goñi, Benjamin J. Hanns, and Nick T. Shears Chapter 16. Crustaceans in a Legislative FrameworkD. Christopher Rogers Chapter 17. Crustaceans in Society: The Media, Popular Culture, and Public AwarenessChristopher B. Boyko, and Shane T. Ahyong Index