Rotifers Handbook

Rotifers Handbook is a professional, research-driven and fully practical guide to one of the most remarkable groups of microscopic animals on Earth. Written in an advanced yet accessible style for scientists, aquaculture professionals, educators, and serious naturalists, it provides a complete journey through the biology, ecology and applied science of these “wheel animalcules.”

Beginning with the evolutionary history and taxonomy of the phylum Rotifera, the book explores the intricate anatomy and physiology of both freshwater and marine species, including their unique adaptations for survival in temporary pools and extreme environments. Detailed chapters explain reproductive strategies-ranging from the asexual persistence of bdelloids to the cyclical parthenogenesis of monogononts-and highlight the extraordinary genetic phenomena of horizontal gene transfer and robust DNA repair.

The handbook moves seamlessly from fundamental science to real-world applications. It examines the central role of rotifers in aquaculture as the primary live feed for larval fish and crustaceans, offering step-by-step guidance on laboratory culture, large-scale production, and nutritional enrichment. It also documents how rotifers are used in ecotoxicology and water quality monitoring as sensitive bioindicators of pollution, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants.

Equally important is the book’s focus on ethics, sustainability, and conservation. It analyzes the legal frameworks governing aquaculture and live-feed production, the need to protect wetlands and temporary waters that sustain wild rotifer diversity, and the responsibilities of researchers and industry professionals to balance economic utility with biodiversity protection.

Throughout, readers will discover how advances in genomics, molecular phylogenetics, and smart culture technologies are reshaping rotifer science and expanding their potential in biotechnology and environmental management.

Both a comprehensive reference and an inspirational call to stewardship, Rotifers Handbook shows how these tiny yet resilient organisms illuminate the principles of evolution, sustain global aquatic ecosystems, and offer practical solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges in food production, water quality, and environmental resilience.