We review the diversity of freshwater organisms in the Mediterranean Basin (hereafter Med),
particularly from streams and rivers. We present available information on the richness …

The genomes of non-bilaterian metazoans are key to understanding the molecular basis of
early animal evolution. However, a full comprehension of how animal-specific traits, such as …

Spongillida (Porifera) colonized temporary freshwater bodies at the global level. To enhance
colonization, survival, long-term persistence, and dispersal, most continental sponges …

The second volume in this landmark series includes an introductory chapter followed by 15
taxonomically specific chapters with identification keys to Nearctic freshwater invertebrates …

Background Approximately 80% of all described extant sponge species belong to the class
Demospongiae. Yet, despite their diversity and importance, accurate divergence times are …

Background Patterns of biodiversity in the subterranean realm are typically different from
those encountered on the Earth's surface. The Dinaric karst of Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia …

Sponges are one of the most ancient animal phyla with about 8850 living species and about
5000 described fossil taxa. Most sponges are marine and live at all depths of all oceans …

The objective of this research is to examine the history of lentic ecosystem salinity in the
southern Pantanal wetlands (Brazil). The timing and controls on hydrochemical changes …

Despite the fact that South East (SE) Asia is considered as a biodiversity hotspot, knowledge
of sessile invertebrates such as freshwater sponges (Porifera: Haplosclerida: Spongillina) in …

Lake Baikal, an ancient, massive lake in Siberia that holds 20% of the world's fresh water
reserves, is a unique center of speciation. Changes in the lake's ecosystem in recent years …