Preface 



The publication of this monograph in 1982 represented a major contri- 

 bution to our understanding of the taxonomy and biology of hyperiidean 

 amphipoda. This was the first comprehensive treatment of all species of 

 Hyperiidea and the authors included diagnostic keys, descriptions, distri- 

 butions, natural history where known, and illustrations for every species 

 and subspecies known to the date of publication. Before this, specialists 

 could use the synopsis of families and genera by Bowman and Gruner 

 (1973) for higher-order classifications, or refer to scores of obscure and 

 out-of-print publications, some of which dealt solely with regional faunas 

 while others were strictly taxonomic treatments of a single taxon. Here, 

 in one volume, the authors have compiled all of the relevant information 

 pertaining to hyperiid amphipods and have created novel dichotomous 

 keys to assist in identification. 



The authors have taken the opportunity given by this translation 

 to correct many of the errors present in the original monograph and 

 emend or revise some of the information originally presented. Several 

 keys were rewritten by the authors for greater clarity and accuracy. In 

 all cases, the editors have identified where the translated text diverges 

 from the original Russian; the original word or phase is given along with 

 the variant in those situations where the editors thought it was important 

 for comparisons. Otherwise, only the emended English text is provided. 

 In addition, the authors have provided a Supplement which brings the 

 monographic treatment up to contemporary understanding. 



This translation, therefore, differs somewhat from that typically done 

 by the Smithsonian Translations Publishing Program. The editors feel 

 that the increased accuracy and utility of this emended edition more than 

 justify the departure from standard practice. 



Douglas Siegel-Causey 



University of Nebraska State Museum 



Lincoln, Nebraska 68521 



