xiii
Preface
In the seven years since the first edition of this book was published, we have built up a large amount
of new material and data in the field of algology, based on our own experiences in reading, writing,
and reviewing. With the aid of all this information, we have completely revised the book, introducing the following changes and additions:
• We have added 27 new figures for a total of 205 figures, many of them in color
• All the 38 tables have been revised and rewritten
• We have updated the literature in all chapters
• We wrote an entirely new chapter on how odd algae can be
• We have rewritten Chapter 1, updating the classification of algae and modifying the section
on the endosymbiosis and origin of eukaryotic photosynthesis
• We have expanded Chapter 2, adding new types of root systems and algal swimming patterns and modifying the section on photoreception and photoreceptors
• We have updated Chapter 3, adding absorption spectra measured on samples from all algal
divisions together with their decomposition in pigments. We have also added the absorption spectra of all the chlorophylls and the accessory pigments
• We have modified notation and wording of Chapters 4 and 5
• We have expanded section on collection storage and preservation in Chapter 6, adding new
information on automatic algae recognition and classification
• We have rewritten Chapter 7, updating the section on algal toxins and algal bioactive
molecules
• We have, of course, corrected the numerous errors present in the first edition (we do apologize for them), doing our best to avoid errors in this new edition
Like the previous edition, this book is written and designed for undergraduate and postgraduate
students with a general scientific background, having their first academic experience with the world
of algae, as well as researchers, teachers, and professionals in the field of phycology and applied
phycology. Our major commitment is still the same, challenging and stimulating both students and
teachers to move beyond the limit of the written page to further explore not only the topics highlighted in the book, but also all the new ideas that can spring to mind (we hope!) after reading each
chapter.
Though updated, the bibliography is still by no means exhaustive; we have not attempted to be
comprehensive and many excellent papers will be missing. Our intention was to put in only enough
to lead the readers into the right part of the primary literature in a fairly directed manner and to
provide a sort of orienteering compass in the “mare magnum” of scientific literature.
We are deeply grateful to the staff at CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, particularly our patient and
comprehensive editor John Sulzycki for trusting us enough to ask for a second edition and to the
senior project coordinator Jill Jurgensen, who had to cope with all our e-mail.
Again, our sincere gratitude and a special thanks to Valter Evangelista for his skillful assistance
and ability in preparing the final form of all the drawings and illustrations, and for his careful attention in preparing all the technical drawings of this second edition. We appreciate his efforts to keep
pace with us both and to cope with our ever-changing demands and corrections and second thoughts
without getting too upset. We know we have driven him crazy.
And we will always be grateful to Vincenzo Passarelli, who took care of the lab, making our
work lighter and smoother. Next February he will retire, leaving our group after more than 30 years;
Preface
In the seven years since the first edition of this book was published, we have built up a large amount
of new material and data in the field of algology, based on our own experiences in reading, writing,
and reviewing. With the aid of all this information, we have completely revised the book, introducing the following changes and additions:
• We have added 27 new figures for a total of 205 figures, many of them in color
• All the 38 tables have been revised and rewritten
• We have updated the literature in all chapters
• We wrote an entirely new chapter on how odd algae can be
• We have rewritten Chapter 1, updating the classification of algae and modifying the section
on the endosymbiosis and origin of eukaryotic photosynthesis
• We have expanded Chapter 2, adding new types of root systems and algal swimming patterns and modifying the section on photoreception and photoreceptors
• We have updated Chapter 3, adding absorption spectra measured on samples from all algal
divisions together with their decomposition in pigments. We have also added the absorption spectra of all the chlorophylls and the accessory pigments
• We have modified notation and wording of Chapters 4 and 5
• We have expanded section on collection storage and preservation in Chapter 6, adding new
information on automatic algae recognition and classification
• We have rewritten Chapter 7, updating the section on algal toxins and algal bioactive
molecules
• We have, of course, corrected the numerous errors present in the first edition (we do apologize for them), doing our best to avoid errors in this new edition
Like the previous edition, this book is written and designed for undergraduate and postgraduate
students with a general scientific background, having their first academic experience with the world
of algae, as well as researchers, teachers, and professionals in the field of phycology and applied
phycology. Our major commitment is still the same, challenging and stimulating both students and
teachers to move beyond the limit of the written page to further explore not only the topics highlighted in the book, but also all the new ideas that can spring to mind (we hope!) after reading each
chapter.
Though updated, the bibliography is still by no means exhaustive; we have not attempted to be
comprehensive and many excellent papers will be missing. Our intention was to put in only enough
to lead the readers into the right part of the primary literature in a fairly directed manner and to
provide a sort of orienteering compass in the “mare magnum” of scientific literature.
We are deeply grateful to the staff at CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, particularly our patient and
comprehensive editor John Sulzycki for trusting us enough to ask for a second edition and to the
senior project coordinator Jill Jurgensen, who had to cope with all our e-mail.
Again, our sincere gratitude and a special thanks to Valter Evangelista for his skillful assistance
and ability in preparing the final form of all the drawings and illustrations, and for his careful attention in preparing all the technical drawings of this second edition. We appreciate his efforts to keep
pace with us both and to cope with our ever-changing demands and corrections and second thoughts
without getting too upset. We know we have driven him crazy.
And we will always be grateful to Vincenzo Passarelli, who took care of the lab, making our
work lighter and smoother. Next February he will retire, leaving our group after more than 30 years;