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.