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Issue: Vol. 5301 No. 2: 9 Jun. 2023
Type: Article
Published: 2023-06-09
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5301.2.4
Page range: 219-245
Abstract views: 294
PDF downloaded: 26

Robert Price Higgins―Aspects of his life and his contributions to meiobenthic research (1932–2022)

Museum für Naturkunde Berlin—Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science; Invalidenstr. 43; D-10115 Berlin; Germany
Departamento de Biodiversidad; Ecología y Evolución; Universidad Complutense de Madrid; José Antonio Novais; 12; E-28040 Madrid
Am Pferchelhang 39; D-69118 Heidelberg
Museum of Natural History of Denmark; University of Copenhagen; DK-2100; Universitetsparken 15; Copenhagen Ø; Denmark
Annelida Kinorhyncha Loricifera Priapulida Tardigrada meiofauna obituary

Abstract

The scientific life of Robert P. Higgins was devoted to meiofauna, microscopically small animals living in aquatic sediments from the intertidal to hadal depths worldwide. He focused on the taxonomy, life-history, and ecology of the marine taxa Kinorhyncha, Tardigrada, and Priapulida and co-discovered the phylum Loricifera. He improved the methods for studying meiofauna and contributed significantly to spreading knowledge about these animals. Aspects of his life are described and lists of his publications, taxa described, contributions to science, and honours received are provided.

 

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