Edited by
Kenneth Söderhäll

2010

The total number of animal species range up to around 1,000,000 species, of which invertebrates constitute more than 95%, including a vast diversity of organisms from unicellular protozoans to the much more complex echinoderms and protochordates. Insects are by far the largest group of animals within the invertebrates and have received a large amount of research interest due to their importance as vectors for human and animal diseases, such as malaria, and the serious harm done by insects to crops and food.