The Lateral Line System

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The Lateral Line System

Author : Sheryl Coombs
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1461488516
Total Pages : 360 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (614 download)

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Book Synopsis The Lateral Line System by : Sheryl Coombs

Download or read book The Lateral Line System written by Sheryl Coombs and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-10-23 with total page 360 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Lateral Line System provides an overview of the key concepts and issues surrounding the development, evolution, neurobiology, and function of the lateral line, a fascinating yet somewhat enigmatic flow-sensing system. The book examines the historical precedence for linking the auditory and lateral line systems, its structure and development, use of the lateral line system of zebrafish as a model system, physical principles governing the response properties of the lateral line, the behavioral relevance of this sensory system to the lives of fish, and an examination of how this information is shaped and encoded by the peripheral and central nervous systems. Contents The Gems of the Past: A Brief History of Lateral Line Research in the Context of the Hearing Sciences - Sheryl Coombs and Horst Bleckmann Morphological Diversity, Development, and Evolution of the Mechanosensory Lateral Line System - Jacqueline F. Webb The Hydrodynamic of Flow Stimuli - Matthew J. McHenry and James C. Liao The Biophysics of the Fish Lateral Line - Sietse M. van Netten and Matthew J. McHenry Sensory Ecology and Neuroethology of the Lateral Line - John Montgomery, Horst Bleckmann, and Sheryl Coombs Information Encoding and Processing by the Peripheral Lateral Line System - Boris Philippe Chagnaud and Sheryl Coombs The Central Nervous Organization of the Lateral Line System - Mario F. Wullimann and Benedikt Grothe Central Processing of Lateral Line Information - Horst Bleckmann and Joachim Mogdans Functional Overlap and Nonoverlap Between Lateral Line and Auditory Systems - Christopher B. Braun and Olav Sand The Hearing Loss, Protection, and Regeneration in the Larval Zebrafish Lateral Line - Allison B. Coffin, Heather Brignull, David W. Raible, and Edwin W Rubel

The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference

Author :
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0128054093
Total Pages : 5215 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (28 download)

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Book Synopsis The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference by :

Download or read book The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference written by and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2020-09-30 with total page 5215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference, Second Edition, Seven Volume Set is a comprehensive reference work covering the range of topics that constitute current knowledge of the neural mechanisms underlying the different senses. This important work provides the most up-to-date, cutting-edge, comprehensive reference combining volumes on all major sensory modalities in one set. Offering 264 chapters from a distinguished team of international experts, The Senses lays out current knowledge on the anatomy, physiology, and molecular biology of sensory organs, in a collection of comprehensive chapters spanning 4 volumes. Topics covered include the perception, psychophysics, and higher order processing of sensory information, as well as disorders and new diagnostic and treatment methods. Written for a wide audience, this reference work provides students, scholars, medical doctors, as well as anyone interested in neuroscience, a comprehensive overview of the knowledge accumulated on the function of sense organs, sensory systems, and how the brain processes sensory input. As with the first edition, contributions from leading scholars from around the world will ensure The Senses offers a truly international portrait of sensory physiology. The set is the definitive reference on sensory neuroscience and provides the ultimate entry point into the review and original literature in Sensory Neuroscience enabling students and scientists to delve into the subject and deepen their knowledge. All-inclusive coverage of topics: updated edition offers readers the only current reference available covering neurobiology, physiology, anatomy, and molecular biology of sense organs and the processing of sensory information in the brain Authoritative content: world-leading contributors provide readers with a reputable, dynamic and authoritative account of the topics under discussion Comprehensive-style content: in-depth, complex coverage of topics offers students at upper undergraduate level and above full insight into topics under discussion

The Mechanosensory Lateral Line

Author : Sheryl Coombs
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 146123560X
Total Pages : 712 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (612 download)

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Book Synopsis The Mechanosensory Lateral Line by : Sheryl Coombs

Download or read book The Mechanosensory Lateral Line written by Sheryl Coombs and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 712 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume represents the published proceedings of an international conference on the Neurobiology and Evolution of the Mechanosensory Lateral Line System held August 31 to September 4, 1987, at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research at the University of Bielefeld, West Germany. The goal of this confer ence was to bring together researchers from all over the world to share informa tion about a major aquatic sensory system, the evolution and function of which have largely remained an enigma since the 18th century. The "lateral line" or "lateralis" system has been used as an umbrella term to describe what originally (without the aid of modern anatomical techniques) looked like a series of pits, grooves, and lines on the head and trunk of fishes and some amphibians. For at least the past 30 years, however, it has been recognized that the lateralis system comprises not one, but at least two functional classes of receptors: mechanoreceptors and electroreceptors. The relative ease with which the appropriate stimulus could be defined and measured for the electroreceptive class has resulted in an explosion of information on this submodality during the past 20 years. As a result, there is little ambiguity about the overall function of the electrosensory system, now generally regarded as an independent system in its own right. A similarly clear definition for the function of the mechanosensory lateralis system has not been as forthcoming.

Sensory Biology of Aquatic Animals

Author : Jelle 1987
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1461237149
Total Pages : 956 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (612 download)

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Book Synopsis Sensory Biology of Aquatic Animals by : Jelle 1987

Download or read book Sensory Biology of Aquatic Animals written by Jelle 1987 and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 956 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume constitutes a series of invited chapters based on presentations given at an International Conference on the Sensory Biology of Aquatic Animals held June 24-28, 1985 at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. The immediate purpose of the conference was to spark an exchange of ideas, concepts, and techniques among investigators concerned with the different sensory modalities employed by a wide variety of animal species in extracting information from the aquatic environment. By necessity, most investigators of sensory biology are specialists in one sensory system: different stimulus modalities require different methods of stimulus control and, generally, different animal models. Yet, it is clear that all sensory systems have principles in common, such as stimulus filtering by peripheral structures, tuning of receptor cells, signal-to-noise ratios, adaption and disadaptation, and effective dynamic range. Other features, such as hormonal and efferent neural control, circadian reorganization, and receptor recycling are known in some and not in other senses. The conference afforded an increased awareness of new discoveries in other sensory systems that has effectively inspired a fresh look by the various participants at their own area of specialization to see whether or not similar principles apply. This inspiration was found not only in theoretical issues, but equally in techniques and methods of approach. The myopy of sensory specialization was broken in one unexpected way by showing limitations of individual sense organs and their integration within each organism. For instance, studying vision, one generally chooses a visual animal as a model.

The Dissection of Vertebrates

Author : Gerardo De Iuliis
Publisher : Elsevier
ISBN 13 : 0080477356
Total Pages : 299 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (84 download)

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Book Synopsis The Dissection of Vertebrates by : Gerardo De Iuliis

Download or read book The Dissection of Vertebrates written by Gerardo De Iuliis and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2006-08-03 with total page 299 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Dissection of Vertebrates covers several vertebrates commonly used in providing a transitional sequence in morphology. With illustrations on seven vertebrates – lamprey, shark, perch, mudpuppy, frog, cat, pigeon – this is the first book of its kind to include high-quality, digitally rendered illustrations. This book received the Award of Excellence in an Illustrated Medical Book from the Association of Medical Illustrators. It is organized by individual organism to facilitate classroom presentation. This illustrated, full-color primary dissection manual is ideal for use by students or practitioners working with vertebrate anatomy. This book is also recommended for researchers in vertebrate and functional morphology and comparative anatomy. The result of this exceptional work offers the most comprehensive treatment than has ever before been available. Received the Award of Excellence in an Illustrated Medical Book from the Association of Medical Illustrators Expertly rendered award-winning illustrations accompany the detailed, clear dissection direction Organized by individual organism to facilitate classroom presentation Offers coverage of a wide range of vertebrates Full-color, strong pedagogical aids in a convenient lay-flat presentation

The Behaviour of Teleost Fishes

Author : Tony J. Pitcher
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1468482610
Total Pages : 559 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (684 download)

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Book Synopsis The Behaviour of Teleost Fishes by : Tony J. Pitcher

Download or read book The Behaviour of Teleost Fishes written by Tony J. Pitcher and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 559 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is about the behaviour of teleosts, a well-defined, highly successful, taxonomic group of vertebrate animals sharing a common body plan and forming the vast majority of living bony fishes. There are weH over 22000 living species of teleosts, including nearly all those of importance in com mercial fisheries and aquaculture. Teleosts are represented injust about every conceivable aquatic environment from temporary desert pools to the deep ocean, from soda lakes to sub-zero Antarctic waters. Behaviour is the primary interface between these effective survival machines and their environment: behavioural plasticity is one of the keys to their success. The study of animal behaviour has undergone revolutionary changes in the past decade under the dual impact of behavioural ecology and sociobiology. The modern body of theory provides quantitatively testable and experi mentaHy accessible hypotheses. Much current work in animal behaviour has concentrated on birds and mammals, animals with ostensibly more complex structure, physiology and behavioural capacity, but there is a growing body of information about the behaviour of fishes. There is now increasing awareness that the same ecological and evolutionary rules govern teleost fish, and that their behaviour is not just a simplified version of that seen in birds and mammals. The details of fish behaviour intimately reflect unique and efficient adaptations to their three-dimensional aquatic environment.

Sensors and Sensing in Biology and Engineering

Author : Friedrich G. Barth
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 3709160251
Total Pages : 392 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (91 download)

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Book Synopsis Sensors and Sensing in Biology and Engineering by : Friedrich G. Barth

Download or read book Sensors and Sensing in Biology and Engineering written by Friedrich G. Barth and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 392 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biological sensors are usually remarkably small, sensitive and efficient. It is highly desirable to design corresponding artificial sensors for scientific, industrial and commercial purposes. This book is designed to fill an urgent need for interdisciplinary exchange between biologists studying sensors in the natural world and engineers and physical scientists developing artificial sensors. The main topics cover mechanical sensors, e.g. waves and sounds, visual sensors and vision and chemosensors. Readers will obtain a fuller understanding of the nature and performance of natural sensors as well as enhanced appreciation for the current status and the potential applicability of artificial microsensors.

The Zebrafish in Biomedical Research

Author : Samuel Cartner
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0128124326
Total Pages : 720 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (281 download)

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Book Synopsis The Zebrafish in Biomedical Research by : Samuel Cartner

Download or read book The Zebrafish in Biomedical Research written by Samuel Cartner and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2019-11-22 with total page 720 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Zebrafish in Biomedical Research: Biology, Husbandry, Diseases, and Research Applications is a comprehensive work that fulfills a critical need for a thorough compilation of information on this species. The text provides significant updates for working vivarium professionals maintaining zebrafish colonies, veterinarians responsible for their care and well-being, zoologists and ethologists studying the species, and investigators using the species to gain critical insights into human physiology and disease. As the zebrafish has become an important model organism for the study of vertebrate development and disease, organ function, behavior, toxicology, cancer, and drug discovery, this book presents an important resource for future research. Presents a complete view of the zebrafish, covering their biology, husbandry, diseases and research applications Includes the work of world-renowned authors Provides the first authoritative and comprehensive treatment of zebrafish in biomedical research as part of the ACLAM series

The Senses of Fish

Author : Gerhard von der Emde
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9400710607
Total Pages : 393 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (7 download)

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Book Synopsis The Senses of Fish by : Gerhard von der Emde

Download or read book The Senses of Fish written by Gerhard von der Emde and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 393 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fish comprise more than 50% of all living vertebrates and are found in a wide range of highly diverse habitats like the deep sea, the shoreline, tide pools, tropical streams and sweetwater ponds. During evolution, the senses of fish have adapted to the physical conditions of the environment in which different species live. As a result, the senses of fish exhibit a remarkable diversity that allows different species to deal with the physical constraints imposed by their habitat. In addition, fish have evolved several `new' sensory systems that are unique to the aquatic environment. In this book, examples of adaptation and refinement are given for six sensory systems: The visual system, The auditory system, The olfactory system, The mechanosensory lateral line system, The taste system, The electrosensory system. In each case, the environmental conditions under which a particular group of fish lives are analyzed. This is followed by a description of morphology and physiology of the sensory system and by an evaluation of its perceptional capabilities. Finally, the sensory adaptations to the particular conditions that prevail in the habitat of a species are highlighted. The various examples from different groups of fish presented in this book demonstrate the impressive capability of fish sensory systems to effectively overcome physical problems imposed by the environment.

Electroreceptors and Other Specialized Receptors in Lower Vertrebrates

Author : T.H. Bullock
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 3642659268
Total Pages : 343 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (426 download)

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Book Synopsis Electroreceptors and Other Specialized Receptors in Lower Vertrebrates by : T.H. Bullock

Download or read book Electroreceptors and Other Specialized Receptors in Lower Vertrebrates written by T.H. Bullock and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 343 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The originality of this volume is to reveal to the reader the fascination of some unfamiliar sensory organs that are sometimes ignored and often misunderstood. These receptors have only recently been identified and their functional specificity is in some cases still a matter for discussion. The four classes of sensory organs considered here differ widely from one another in many respects. One might even say that the only thing they have in common is that they belong to cold-blooded vertebrates. These classes are: 1. the directionally sensitive lateral-line mechanoreceptors of fishes and amphi bians (Chapter 7); 2. the pseudobranchial organs of some teleosts, equipped with pressoreceptors and at least three other types of receptors (osmo- and chemoreceptors) (Chapter 8); 3. the infrared-sensitive pit organs of some snake families (Chapter 9) ; 4. the various kinds of electroreceptors found in several marine and freshwater fish families (Chapters 2 to 6). The first three classes of receptors mentioned above thus rate only one chapter each, whereas five chapters are devoted to the electroreceptors. Electroreception has aroused enormous interest among physiologists in specialties ranging from molecular biology to animal behavior. The resulting quantity of research and discussion fully justifies this disproportion. However, it cannot be denied that the contents of the volume must appear unbalanced and heterogeneous, yet it should not be perceived as a mere juxtaposition of particular and unrelated cases.

Anatomy Trains

Author : Thomas W. Myers
Publisher : Elsevier Health Sciences
ISBN 13 : 044310283X
Total Pages : 308 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (431 download)

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Book Synopsis Anatomy Trains by : Thomas W. Myers

Download or read book Anatomy Trains written by Thomas W. Myers and published by Elsevier Health Sciences. This book was released on 2009-01-01 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An accessible comprehensive approach to the anatomy and function of the fascial system in the body combined with a holistic.

Anatomy and Physiology

Author : J. Gordon Betts
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781947172807
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (728 download)

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Book Synopsis Anatomy and Physiology by : J. Gordon Betts

Download or read book Anatomy and Physiology written by J. Gordon Betts and published by . This book was released on 2013-04-25 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Principles of Developmental Genetics

Author : Sally A. Moody
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0124059236
Total Pages : 784 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (24 download)

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Book Synopsis Principles of Developmental Genetics by : Sally A. Moody

Download or read book Principles of Developmental Genetics written by Sally A. Moody and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2014-09-02 with total page 784 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Providing expert coverage of all major events in early embryogenesis and the organogenesis of specific systems, and supplemented with representative clinical syndromes, Principles of Developmental Genetics, Second Edition discusses the processes of normal development in embryonic and prenatal animals, including humans. The new edition of this classic work supports clinical researchers developing future therapies with its all-new coverage of systems biology, stem cell biology, new technologies, and clinical disorders. A crystal-clear layout, exceptional full-color design, and bulleted summaries of major takeaways and clinical pathways assist comprehension and readability of the highly complex content. All-new coverage of systems biology and stem cell biology in context of evolving technologies places the work squarely on the modern sciences Chapters are complemented with a bulleted summary for easy digestion of the major points, with a clinical summary for therapeutic application Clinical highlights provides a bridge between basic developmental biology and clinical sciences in embryonic and prenatal syndromes

Evolution of Nervous Systems

Author : Georg F. Striedter
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0128040963
Total Pages : 2064 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (28 download)

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Book Synopsis Evolution of Nervous Systems by : Georg F. Striedter

Download or read book Evolution of Nervous Systems written by Georg F. Striedter and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2016-11-23 with total page 2064 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evolution of Nervous Systems, Second Edition, Four Volume Set is a unique, major reference which offers the gold standard for those interested both in evolution and nervous systems. All biology only makes sense when seen in the light of evolution, and this is especially true for the nervous system. All animals have nervous systems that mediate their behaviors, many of them species specific, yet these nervous systems all evolved from the simple nervous system of a common ancestor. To understand these nervous systems, we need to know how they vary and how this variation emerged in evolution. In the first edition of this important reference work, over 100 distinguished neuroscientists assembled the current state-of-the-art knowledge on how nervous systems have evolved throughout the animal kingdom. This second edition remains rich in detail and broad in scope, outlining the changes in brain and nervous system organization that occurred from the first invertebrates and vertebrates, to present day fishes, reptiles, birds, mammals, and especially primates, including humans. The book also includes wholly new content, fully updating the chapters in the previous edition and offering brand new content on current developments in the field. Each of the volumes has been carefully restructured to offer expanded coverage of non-mammalian taxa, mammals, primates, and the human nervous system. The basic principles of brain evolution are discussed, as are mechanisms of change. The reader can select from chapters on highly specific topics or those that provide an overview of current thinking and approaches, making this an indispensable work for students and researchers alike. Presents a broad range of topics, ranging from genetic control of development in invertebrates, to human cognition, offering a one-stop resource for the evolution of nervous systems throughout the animal kingdom Incorporates the expertise of over 100 outstanding investigators who provide their conclusions in the context of the latest experimental results Presents areas of disagreement and consensus views that provide a holistic view of the subjects under discussion

The biology of hypogean fishes

Author : Romero Aldemaro
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9781402000768
Total Pages : 384 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (7 download)

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Book Synopsis The biology of hypogean fishes by : Romero Aldemaro

Download or read book The biology of hypogean fishes written by Romero Aldemaro and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2001-12-31 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hypogean (cave, artesian) fishes have fascinated researchers even before they were described in the scientific literature in 1842. Since then, a number of scientists have used them to justify their own evolutionary ideas, from neo-Lamarckism to neo-Darwinism, from neutral evolution to selectionist approaches. Research in recent years has shown that these fishes are much more complex in their adaptations to the subterranean environment than previously believed: there are those with features expected from living in total darkness (complete blindness and depigmentation) and poor in nutrients (extremely low metabolic rates); others differ very little, if any, from their epigean (surface) ancestors in their morphology and physiology (but not so in their behavior). Some of them even live in nutrient-rich environments. Actually, one of the most overlooked facets of these animals is that there are more species of hypogean fishes without troglomorphisms (blindness, depigmentation) than with troglomorphic ones. The study of these apparently `unadapted' fishes is providing new insights into our understanding of the evolution of phenotypic characters, founding effect, behavioral, and physiological adaptations. The 86 species of troglomorphic fishes described so far belong to 18 different families, many of which would hardly fit the notion that they were 'preadapted' to conquer the underground environment. Further, many troglomorphic `species' show very little genotypic differentiation when compared with their putative ancestors, indicating that massive phenotype changes can be achieved via little genetic reorganization, a reorganization that mostly affects regulatory genes. These and many other topics are discussed in this volume containing 29 papers, written by 41 authors from 9 countries. Hopefully, this volume will convince many other researchers that hypogean fishes represent a unique opportunity to study a concept in evolutionary biology that is only superficially understood: convergent evolution.

Frog Neurobiology

Author : R. Llinas
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 3642663168
Total Pages : 1056 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (426 download)

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Book Synopsis Frog Neurobiology by : R. Llinas

Download or read book Frog Neurobiology written by R. Llinas and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 1056 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In review, the amount of information available on the morphological and func tional properties of the frog nervous system is very extensive indeed and in certain areas is the only available source of information in vertebrates. Further more, much of the now classical knowledge in neurobiology was originally ob tained and elaborated in depth in this vertebrate. To cite only a few examples, studies of nerve conduction, neuromuscular transmission, neuronal integration, sense organs, development, and locomotion have been developed with great detail in the frog and in conjunction provide the most complete holistic descrip tion of any nervous system. Added to the above considerations, the ease with which these animals may be maintained (both as adults and during development) and the advantage of their lower cost as compared with other vertebrate forms make the frog one of the most important laboratory animals in neurobiology. With these thoughts in mind, we decided to compile this volume. Our goal in doing so was to assemble as much as possible of the information available on frog neurobiology and to have the different topics covered by authorities in each of the fields represented. To keep the handbook restricted to one volume, we found it necessary to omit the large field of amphibian muscle neurobiology, which has already been summarized in various other publications.

Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish

Author : Alex Keene
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0128023651
Total Pages : 419 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (28 download)

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Book Synopsis Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish by : Alex Keene

Download or read book Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish written by Alex Keene and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2015-10-12 with total page 419 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish features contributions by leading researchers in a comprehensive, unique work that examines a number of distinct areas of biology—evolution, development, ecology, and behavior—using the Mexican cavefish as a powerful model system to further understanding of basic biological processes such as eye degeneration, hearing, craniofacial development, sleep, and metabolic function. These fish are currently being used to better understand a number of issues related to human health, including age-related blindness, sleep, obesity, mood-related disorders, and aging. The recent sequencing of the cavefish genome broadens the interest of this system to groups working with diverse biological systems, and has helped researchers identify genes that regulate sleep, eye degeneration, and metabolic function. Mexican cavefish are particularly powerful for the study of biological processes because these fish evolved independently in twenty-nine caves in the Sierra de el Abra Region of Northeast Mexico. These fish have dramatic adaptations to the cave environment, and this can be used to identify genes involved in disease-related traits. This scholarly text will be of interest to researchers and students throughout diverse areas of biology and ecology. It includes photographs of animals and behavior in laboratory and natural settings that will also increase interest and accessibility to non-experts. Includes a mixture of images and illustrations such as the geographical distribution of cave pools and the developmental biology of the nervous system Features a companion site with geographical maps Fills a notable gap in the literature on a topic of broad interest to the scientific community Presents the recent sequencing of the cavefish genome as a groundbreaking development for researchers working with diverse biological systems