Foreword to the English Edition 



This volume reviews the systematics, natural history and ecology, distri- 

 bution, and biogeography of Hyperiid Amphipoda of the world oceans. 

 The authors present detailed descriptions, diagnostic keys, and illustra- 

 tions for all of the known species in this pelagic suborder of amphipod 

 crustaceans. Hyperiid amphipods are mostly commensals and parasitoids 

 of gelatinous zooplankton, and as a consequence, their body morphol- 

 ogy is extremely variable including species able to achieve near spherical 

 shapes (Platyscelus, Paratyphis), the needle-like oxycephalids (Rhabdo- 

 soma), extraordinarily large forms, up to 140 nmi, with eyes comprising 

 close to 25% of the body (Cystisoma), nearly sightless commensals of 

 deepwater medusae (Lanceola), species that construct houses and brood 

 their young within (Phronima), and truly pelagic, free-living species 

 immensely abundant in polar oceans {Parathemisto). Hyperiidea can be 

 found in almost any plankton tow in coastal or pelagic waters, but they 

 are not abundant except in a few exceptional cases. There are many ques- 

 tions about their ecologies and role in oceanic ecosystems, but research 

 on them has been hampered partially because the taxonomic literature 

 is scattered and difficult to obtain. This monograph is valuable because 

 here, for the first time in a single volume, are given complete taxonomic 

 keys and descriptions for the entire world fauna known at the time of 

 printing. The authors have included new information based on their own 

 work in the Pacific, Indian, and Antarctic oceans, and present in the first 

 chapter a quick summary of the biogeography and ecology of the major 

 groups. 



The editors have taken great care to ensure that this translation is 

 an accurate reflection of the original text and we have minimized inter- 

 pretation and glosses as much as possible. In some cases, we clarified 

 confusing terms and phrases with the authors; otherwise the transla- 

 tion represents the work of the authors at the time of original printing. 

 We have noted in the text whenever we have interpreted non-standard 

 phrasing. 



Douglas Siegel-Causey 



University of Nebraska State Museum 



Lincoln, Nebraska 



