Kingdoms And Domains

An all-inclusive catalogue of the world's living diversity, Five Kingdoms defines and describes the major divisions, or phyla, of nature's five great kingdoms - bacteria, protoctists, animals, fungi, and plants - using a modern classification scheme that is consistent with both the fossil record and molecular data. Generously illustrated and remarkably easy to follow, it not only allows readers to sample the full range of life forms inhabiting our planet but to familiarize themselves with the taxonomic theories by which all organisms' origins and distinctive characteristics are traced and classified.

Now published by Academic Press and revised from the author's previous Five Kingdoms Third edition, this extraordinary, all inclusive catalogue of the world's living organisms describes the diversity of the major groups, or phyla, of nature's most inclusive taxa. Developed after consultation with specialists, this modern classification scheme is consistent both with the fossil record and with recent molecular, morphological and metabolic data. Generously illustrated, now in full color, Kingdoms and Domains is remarkably easy to read. It accesses the full range of life forms that still inhabit our planet and logically and explicitly classifies them according to their evolutionary relationships. Definitive characteristics of each phylum are professionally described in ways that, unlike most scientific literature, profoundly respect the needs of educators, students and nature lovers. This work is meant to be of interest to all evolutionists as well as to conservationists, ecologists, genomicists, geographers, microbiologists, museum curators, oceanographers, paleontologists and especially nature lovers whether artists, gardeners or environmental activists.Kingdoms and Domains is a unique and indispensable reference for anyone intrigued by a planetary phenomenon: the spectacular diversity of life, both microscopic and macroscopic, as we know it only on Earth today. - New Foreword by Edward O. Wilson - The latest concepts of molecular systematics, symbiogenesis, and the evolutionary importance of microbes - Newly expanded chapter openings that define each kingdom and place its members in context in geological time and ecological space - Definitions of terms in the glossary and throughout the book - Ecostrips, illustrations that place organisms in their most likely environments such as deep sea vents, tropical forests, deserts or hot sulfur springs - A new table that compares features of the most inclusive taxa - Application of a logical, authoritative, inclusive and coherent overall classification scheme based on evolutionary principles

"This work explores how living organisms have been classified at the highest level. The earliest ideas of nature emphasised transformation. Aristotle recognised that certain objects in the sea share properties of plants and animals; these became known as zoophytes. The narrative follows zoophytes and other transgressive beings through subsequent philosophical and religious traditions, myths, travellers' tales, the occult literature, alchemy, scholasticism, the consolidation of vernacular languages, and the rise of scientific botany and zoology. Leeuwenhoek's discovery of microscopic beings, and Trembley studies on Hydra, complicated the plant-animal dichotomy. Transformation returned as Needham, Buffon and others observed plant material to generate motile animalcules; Linnaeus proposed a Regnum Chaoticum. New challenges arose as the Great Chain of Being was abandoned, algae were observed to liberate free-swimming zoospores, and cell theory was refined. Biology developed differently in France, Germany and Britain, and we follow the rise and fall of supernumerary kingdoms in each environment. Haeckel positioned Protista as one of two, three or four kingdoms. In the Twentieth century the living world was divided between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, while mitochondria and plastids were recognised as descendants of endosymbiotic bacteria. Molecular evidence revealed three domains (Archaea, Bacteria, Eukaryota), although many genomes are linked in a dynamic network of genetic relationships. Environmental genomes now threaten to undermine Eukaryota as an independent domain of life"--

The interdisciplinary field of Astrobiology constitutes a joint arena where provocative discoveries are coalescing concerning, e.g. the prevalence of exoplanets, the diversity and hardiness of life, and its increasingly likely chances for its emergence. Biologists, astrophysicists, biochemists, geoscientists and space scientists share this exciting mission of revealing the origin and commonality of life in the Universe. The members of the different disciplines are used to their own terminology and technical language. In the interdisciplinary environment many terms either have redundant meanings or are completely unfamiliar to members of other disciplines. The Encyclopedia of Astrobiology serves as the key to a common understanding. Each new or experienced researcher and graduate student in adjacent fields of astrobiology will appreciate this reference work in the quest to understand the big picture. The carefully selected group of active researchers contributing to this work and the expert field editors intend for their contributions, from an internationally comprehensive perspective, to accelerate the interdisciplinary advance of astrobiology.

Kingdoms, Empires, and Domains explores the history of the idea that there is more to the living world than plants and animals. Progressing chronologically through philosophical, religious, literary, and other pre-scientific traditions, leading molecular systematist Mark A. Ragan traces how transgressive creatures such as sponges, corals, algae, fungi, and diverse microscopic beings have been described, categorized, and understood throughout history. The book also explores how the concept of a "third kingdom of life" evolved within the fields of scientific botany and zoology, and continues to evolve up to the present day.

Explores the appearance, characteristics, and behavior of protists and fungi, lifeforms which are neither plants nor animals, using specific examples such as algae, mold, and mushrooms.

Kingdoms and Warfare, the sequel to Strongholds & Followers, is a 5th edition supplement that introduces Domain-level play to your game, allowing players to become Regents running a Kingdom, Duchy, or Barony! Or a Church! A Thieves' Guild! A Bard's College! Whichever you choose, it's your Domain. Your domain can take actions, raise armies, conduct espionage, and wage war! Kingdoms and Warfare also adds mechanics for player Titles for several different organizations. Titles give your characters new, limited abilities and proficiencies that let them shore up the deficiencies of a limited-class party. Expanded rules for Warfare allowing faster, more balanced battles, more and different kinds of units. New Maneuvers allow characters to directly command their units, executing daring ploys that can change the course of war! New rules for the Tide of Battle create a connection between the Encounter your characters are fighting and the Battle your units are waging. New rules for using PCs and monsters as units, as well as more advice for building an army and waging war. The rules for Warfare in Strongholds & Followers are only the beginning of a more robust system.Any book of new rules as big as this requires an adventure to show you how to use it. The Regent of Bedegar acts as a sequel to the Siege of Castle Rend and introduces players to Domain Level play. The heroes manage their new domain, putting out fires in Gravesford and other local towns while encountering various organizations in Aendrim, some friendly, some not so much.

Black & white print. Concepts of Biology is designed for the typical introductory biology course for nonmajors, covering standard scope and sequence requirements. The text includes interesting applications and conveys the major themes of biology, with content that is meaningful and easy to understand. The book is designed to demonstrate biology concepts and to promote scientific literacy.