1. Introduction.- 2. Taxonomy and Species Features.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Species List.- 2.2.1 Spinose Planktonic Foraminifera.- 2.2.2 Non-spinose Planktonic Foraminifera.- 3. Collecting and Culture Methods.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Collection for Ecological Studies.- 3.3 Fixation and Storing of Samples.- 3.4 Laboratory Preparations.- 3.5 Collection for Physiological and Ecological Studies.- 3.5.1 Net Collection.- 3.5.2 SCUBA Collection.- 3.6 Isolation and Preparation for Maintenance Culture.- 3.7 Maintenance Cultures.- 3.8 Monitoring Vitality and Growth of the Cultures.- 3.9 Feeding Techniques.- 3.9.1 Algal Prey.- 3.9.2 Animal Prey.- 3.10 Cataloguing and Storing Shells.- 3.11 Summary.- 4. Cellular Ultrastructure.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Fixation of Planktonic Foraminifera for Fine Structure Analysis.- 4.3 Cytoplasmic Streaming.- 4.4 Peripheral Cytoplasm and Rhizopodial Morphology.- 4.4.1 Cytoskeletal Structures.- 4.4.2 Filaments.- 4.5 Fine Structure of Cytoplasmic Organelles.- 4.5.1 Nucleus.- 4.5.2 Mitochondria.- 4.5.3 Peroxisomes.- 4.5.4 Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Complex, and Vacuolar System.- 4.5.5 Fibrillar Bodies.- 4.5.6 Lipids and Various Cytoplasmic Inclusions.- 4.6 Comparative Fine Structure Data of Benthic and Planktonic Species.- 4.7 Comparative Fine Structure of Planktonic Foraminifera and Radiolaria.- 4.8 Summary.- 5. Host and Symbiont Relationships.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Symbiosis, Commensalism and Parasitism.- 5.3 Symbiont Morphology and Structural Association with Host.- 5.3.1 Dinoflagellate Symbiont Fine Structure.- 5.3.2 Chrysophycophyte Symbiont Fine Structure.- 5.4 Symbiont and Host Physiological Interactions.- 5.5 Origin of Symbionts.- 5.6 Major Features of Algal Symbionts.- 5.7 Summary.- 6. Trophic Activity and Nutrition.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Natural Prey.- 6.3 Laboratory Studies of Trophic Activity.- 6.3.1 Prey Acceptance and Rate of Digestion.- 6.3.2 Cannibalism.- 6.3.3 Fine Structure Studies of Prey Capture and Digestion.- 6.3.4 Trophic Activity and Longevity.- 6.3.5 Laboratory Studies of Omnivorous Feeding.- 6.4 Prey Abundance and Foraminiferal Distribution.- 6.5 Predators on Planktonic Foraminifera.- 6.6 Comparative Data with Benthic Foraminifera and Radiolaria.- 6.7 Summary.- 7. Reproduction.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Gametogenesis.- 7.2.1 Light Microscopic Data.- 7.2.2 Fine Structure Data.- 7.3 Morphological Changes during Gametogenesis.- 7.4 Reproductive Cycles.- 7.5 Comparisons with Benthic Foraminifera and Radiolaria.- 7.6 Summary.- 8. Shell Ontogeny.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Ontogenetic Concept for Spinose Species.- 8.2.1 Five Stage Concept.- 8.2.2 Ontogeny of Globigerinoides sacculifer.- 8.3 Variations in Developmental Morphology of Spinose Species.- 8.4 Variations in Developmental Morphology of Non-spinose Species.- 8.5 Quantitative Ontogeny.- 8.6 Coiling Directions.- 8.7 Taxonomic Applications.- 8.8 Summary.- 9. Shell Architecture.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Chamber Deposition and Pore Formation.- 9.2.1 Chamber Formation in Non-spinose Species.- 9.2.2 Pore Formation and Wall Thickening.- 9.2.3 Keel Development.- 9.2.4 Pustule Formation.- 9.3 Chamber Formation in Spinose Species.- 9.3.1 Spine Types.- 9.4 Wall Thickening and Gametogenic Calcification.- 9.5 Physiological Mechanism and Rates of Calcification.- 9.6 Organic Composition of the Calcitic Wall.- 9.7 Resorption and Repair Processes.- 9.8 Abnormal Shell Growth.- 9.9 Summary.- 10. Ecology.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Statistical Treatment and the Transfer Function.- 10.3 Stable Isotopes.- 10.4 Distributional Pattern of Planktonic Foraminifera.- 10.4.1 Horizontal Distribution.- 10.4.2 Seasonal Distribution.- 10.4.3 Vertical Distribution.- 10.4.4 Patchiness and Daily Vertical Migration.- 10.4.5 General Sea Surface Temperature in the Past.- 10.5 Population Dynamics.- 10.5.1 Reproductive Strategies.- 10.5.1.1 Lunar Periodicity.- 10.5.1.2 Annual Periodicity.- 10.5.2 Water Mass Boundary Effects.- 10.6 Experimental Studies.- 10.7 Summary.- 11. Sedimentation - Settlement of Shells.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Shells Released by Reproduction and Juvenile Mortality.- 11.3 Aggregates - Sedimentation.- 11.4 Predation.- 11.5 Residence Time and Sinking Velocity.- 11.6 Seasonal Fluctuations in the Settlement.- 11.7 Dissolution in the Deep Water.- 11.8 Summary.- 12. Concluding Remarks.- 12.1 Effects Influencing the Isotopic Signal.- 12.1.1 Temperature Effect.- 12.1.2 GlacialEffect.- 12.1.3 Water Mass Effect.- 12.1.4 VitalEffect.- 12.1.5 Selective Production.- 12.1.6 Differential Dissolution.- 12.2 Carbon Isotopes.- 12.3 Summative Perspective.- 13. References.- 14. Glossary.- 15. Index.

In a single volume, the authors bring together a review of current biological understanding of planktonic foraminifera and apply it to developments in sedimentology. With the growing interest in the shells of this class of protozoa as indicators of the history of the earth, revealed through the sedimentary record, a comprehensive analysis of the biology of contemporary foraminifera has become necessary. Main topics covered include Taxonomy, Collecting and Culture Methods, Cellular Ultrastructure, Host and Symbiont Relationships, Trophic Activity and Nutrition, Reproduction, Shell Ontogeny and Architecture, Ecology and Sedimentation and Settlement of Shells.