This SpringerBrief answers the question on how birds recognize their predators using multidisciplinary approaches and outlines paths of the future research of predator recognition. A special focus is put on the role of key features to discriminate against predators and non-predators. The first part of the book provides a comprehensive review of the mechanisms of predator recognition based on classical ethological studies in untrained birds. The second part introduces a new view on the topic treating theories of cognitive ethology. This approach involves examination of conditioned domestic pigeons and highlights the actual abilities of birds to recognize and categorize.

When a bone of unknown origin is found at a location, forensic implications arise immediately. Is this bone human, and if so, is it evidence of a murder? Human and Non-Human Bone Identification: A Color Atlas presents a comprehensive handbook of photographs and other information essential for law enforcement and forensic anthropologists when examining skeletal remains and determining species and body parts. Presenting over 3000 color photographs, this atlas is a practical comparative guide to the differences among species for nearly all bones in the body. Useful in either the laboratory or the field, it features images of the types of bones that are most commonly discovered, and provides annotations pointing out salient features. The book begins with a section on general osteology and explains the major anatomical differences between humans and other animals. It compares human and non-human bones, categorized by type of bone, and includes most of the major bones in humans and non-humans. The third section discusses non-human skeletal elements, categorized by species, and explores numerous skeletal elements within those species. This book is also available on a fully searchable DVD: Catalog no. 62964 Includes Bones from the Following Species! Moose Elk Deer Bison Cow Antelope Mountain Sheep Domestic Sheep Llama Horse Bear Wolf Coyote Domestic dog Mountain lion Bobcat Raccoon Badger Skunk River Otter Beaver Porcupine Marmot Prairie dog Rabbit Norway rat Squirrel Armadillo Opossum Vampire bat Seal Written by Diane L. France, one of the most respected forensic anthropologists in the world, this supremely organized atlas helps those tasked with bone identification to quickly and efficiently determine the origin of discovered remains and plan the appropriate course of action.

Comprehensive guide to the animals of North America Fully illustrated with drawings and photographs User-friendly format makes comparing species easy

This uniquely thorough reference and guidebook offers illustrations, descriptions, and measurements for the skulls of some 275 animal species found throughout North America. The skull--the collection of bones that house and protect a creature's brain and sensory organs--is the key anatomical feature used to identify an animal and understand many of its behaviors. This book describes in words and pictures the bones and regions of the skull important to identification, including illustrations of all the bones in the cranium, leading to a greater understanding of a creature's place in the natural world. Life-size drawings and detailed measurements make this guide an invaluable reference for wildlife professionals, trackers, and animal-lovers alike.

This book describes the life cycle of a unique endocrine gland that is absolutely essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in all mammalian species. The corpus luteum is unique because it is formed and destroyed every (non-fertile) reproductive cycle. When fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum is rescued or maintained. The processes that control corpus luteum formation, demise (luteolysis), or maintenance are just beginning to be unraveled in recent years; they involve diverse cell types and mechanisms. Some of these processes resemble tumor development-angiogenesis, for instance-but interestingly enough, this resemblance is only up to a point. The corpus luteum uses mechanisms that allow its normal, physiological growth and disappearance. Pulling together key research on the corpus luteum, this volume is of interest to both reproductive endocrinologists and comparative physiologists, with clinical relevance spanning comparative animal studies to women's health.

Contains a selection of White Papers, commissioned to better inform the exploration of cattle welfare. These are prepared by notable experts in their field, to help provide factual context around selected topics that impact cattle welfare and production systems. Covers all aspects of cattle use in an accessible style, making this a must have volume for anyone interested in cattle welfare or cattle medicine. Provides an in-depth picture of the distinctive beef and dairy cattle welfare practices and issues, covering topics such as behavior, breeding and genetic manipulation, nutrition and feeding, housing and management, health and disease, and transport and slaughter. Written by acknowledged leaders in animal science, veterinary science, philosophy and animal welfare, presenting a truly multidisciplinary perspective on cattle welfare. Includes a section on understanding and managing animal welfare in both beef and dairy cattle, discussing how cattle perceive the world, animal handling and pain mitigation, and how to assure that the cows have a reasonably good life. The Welfare of Cattle offers an accurate, detailed account of the ethical and welfare concerns related to the human use of cattle. There is currently no significant book dealing with the welfare of cows, animals often seen as archetypal paradigms of 'farm animals'. Covering both beef and dairy cattle, the expert authors provide in-depth information on the husbandry roots of traditional agriculture, the replacement of this system of stewardship by an industrial model, and the resulting welfare challenges associated with industrial agriculture: feedlots, highly industrialized dairies, and slaughterhouses killing huge numbers of animals who have been transported great distances. This important book explores in detail the ways in which people who are providing care for cattle can take their first step, or their next step, toward enhancing the welfare of these animals. An extra chapter (online only) is available in the 'Downloads' tab on the left: Dairy Nutrition, by Michael Gamroth

When a predator attacks, prey are faced with a series of 'if', 'when' and 'how' escape decisions - these critical questions are the foci of this book. Cooper and Blumstein bring together a balance of theory and empirical research to summarise over fifty years of scattered research and benchmark current thinking in the rapidly expanding literature on the behavioural ecology of escaping. The book consolidates current and new behaviour models with taxonomically divided empirical chapters that demonstrate the application of escape theory to different groups. The chapters integrate behaviour with physiology, genetics and evolution to lead the reader through the complex decisions faced by prey during a predator attack, examining how these decisions interact with life history and individual variation. The chapter on best practice field methodology and the ideas for future research presented throughout, ensure this volume is practical as well as informative.

This book brings together edited and revised papers presented at the 8th Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs held in Uppsala in June, 2000. It contains more than 100 papers from leading scientists from around the world in this subject area. Among other features it contributes to the development of the the science relating to the effects of nutrition on gut physiology. It also creates a platform for future research, that will increase knowledge of how to optimize the nutrition of the pig and to help prevent diet-related gastrointestinal conditions.

This book provides a comprehensive review of the evolution of traits associated with predation and predator defense for bats and all of their prey, both invertebrates (e.g. insects) and vertebrates (e.g. frogs), in the context of co-evolution. It reviews current knowledge of how echolocation and passive hearing are used by bats to hunt prey in complete darkness. Also it highlights how prey have evolved counter measures to bat echolocation to avoid detection and capture. This includes the whole range of prey responses from being active at times when bats are inactive to the use of acoustic signals of their own to interfere with the echolocation system of bats.

With the current interest in the environmental and economic sustainability of dairy farming, grass forage crops have emerged as a potential solution to some of the nutrient management problems now encountered on intensively managed dairy farms. The expansion and reintegration of grass-based systems into the mainstream of dairying systems will require a major paradigm shift involving economic, social and ecological, as well as biological factors. This book examines the role of grass in milk production in sustainable agricultural ecosystems. It provides a current summary of the role of grass in dairy cattle systems, including the breeding, management, storage, feeding and economics of grass for both lactating and dry dairy cows. Written by leading specialists from Australia, Europe, New Zealand, North and South America, this is an essential reference source for researchers, dairy industry professionals and advanced students of forage and dairy cattle nutrition.

The Proceedings of the 14th Symposium on Energy Metabolism of Farm Animals, held in Northern Ireland in September 1997, comprises 85 original contributions by leading scientists from over 20 countries around the world. In keeping with previous Symposia in the series, held under the auspices of the European Association for Animal Production, this book contains papers which provide the latest research on the energy metabolism and other aspects of the physiology of a wide variety of farmed animals. Highlights include a comprehensive review of the current state of research on leptins and their potential applications in animal production, and a large section relating to organ and tissue metabolism, with major contributions from the USA, UK, France, Germany and Denmark. An important strength of the book is the diversity of species covered. For example, the sections on modelling and feed evaluation relate to pigs, sows, broiler chickens, laying hens, turkeys, lambs, beef and dairy cattle and fish. There are also substantial contributions on lactation and reproduction, growth, environmental aspects and maintenance. This book is essential reading for research workers in animal science, particularly those concerned with nutrition and feed evaluation.

Mammals are the so-called "pinnacle" group of vertebrates, successfully colonising virtually all terrestrial environments as well as the air (bats) and sea (especially pinnipeds and cetaceans). How mammals function and survive in these diverse environments has long fascinated mammologists, comparative physiologists and ecologists. Ecological and Environmental Physiology of Mammals explores the physiological mechanisms and evolutionary necessities that have made the spectacular adaptation of mammals possible. It summarises our current knowledge of the complex and sophisticated physiological approaches that mammals have for survival in a wide variety of ecological and environmental contexts: terrestrial, aerial, and aquatic. The authors have a strong comparative and quantitative focus in their broad approach to exploring mammal ecophysiology. As with other books in the Ecological and Environmental Physiology Series, the emphasis is on the unique physiological characteristics of mammals, their adaptations to extreme environments, and current experimental techniques and future research directions are also considered. This accessible text is suitable for graduate level students and researchers in the fields of mammalian comparative physiology and physiological ecology, including specialist courses in mammal ecology. It will also be of value and use to the many professional mammologists requiring a concise overview of the topic.

Originally published in 1955, as number 4 in the Cambridge Monographs in Experimental Biology series, this book presents an account of diapause in arthropods. The text finds in the phenomenon of diapause material for an investigation of the fundamental aspects of growth. Additionally, the effect on diapause of events in the external environment are seen as important for gaining an understanding of the life cycle of 'beneficial and injurious species'. Illustrative figures are incorporated throughout. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in arthropods, diapause and the history of science.

Originally published in 1934 as part of the Cambridge Comparative Physiology series, this book examines the key principles underlying animal physiology and the study of physiology. Barcroft shows how every natural internal process is affected and supported by other processes and systems, and concludes every chapter with a brief bibliography on the topics covered. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the study of physiology and the functions performed by the organs.

Veterinary science is continuously achieving important developments in all its fields as a result of continuous technological advances in diagnostic tools and applied biology. This book contains 33 papers that were selected from those presented at the 65th Congress of the Italian Society for Veterinary Sciences held at Tropea-Drapia in 2011. It provides a timely overview of the current progress being made by Italian researchers and is of great value to anyone interested in all fields of veterinary science, both theoretical and applied, ranging from animal health and care to animal production and food hygiene.

Originally published in 1932, this book examines how hormones and nervous impulses affect the body, with special reference to animals with colour-changing abilities. Parker gives examples from various areas of the animal kingdom, both vertebrates and invertebrates, to demonstrate how the stimulation of certain sensory organs and nerves can produce very different effects and to draw wider conclusions about the role that 'nervous secretion' can play in other physiological operations. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of science and comparative physiology.

Originally published in 1928 as part of the Cambridge Comparative Physiology series, this book examines whether all muscular contractions use essentially the same processes regardless of the type of muscle in question. Ritchie uses an isolated muscle from a frog to investigate whether the chemical and physical causes of a simple muscle twitch can be responsible for the movements of all muscles. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of science or comparative physiology.

Originally published in 1957, this book provides a comprehensive account of the workings of the adrenal cortex in various vertebrate species. Chester Jones also covers the embryological development of the kidneys and suggests how the structure and function of the adrenal glands are related to one another in vertebrates. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the adrenal cortex or the history of science and zoology.

Originally published in 1927 as part of the Cambridge Comparative Physiology series, this book examines the composition and function of the heart in a range of animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates. Clark examines subjects such as how the function of the heart differs between members of the same species who are not of the same size, as well as the nervous control of the heart and the differences in heart structure between cold- and warm-blooded animals. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of science or cardiology.

Originally published in 1939 as part of the Cambridge Comparative Physiology series, this book details how animals living in water regulate their internal water content. Krough exhaustively surveys animals from protozoa to crustaceans and aquatic birds, as well as examining the osmotic conditions in sensitive eggs and embryos. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in osmosis and the life of aquatic animals.

Originally published in 1928 as part of the Cambridge Comparative Physiology series, this book examines the importance of cilia in the lives of many invertebrate animals. Gray demonstrates how cilia, not muscle fibres, often play the dominant role as organs of contraction and locomotion and explains how ciliated surfaces are co-ordinated. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of science.

Originally published in 1927 as the third instalment of the Cambridge Comparative Physiology series, this book examines the role of hormones in 'co-ordinating the activities of the organism'. Hogben illustrates the text with charts to illustrate key points, as well as photographs of animal specimens to demonstrate the role of certain secretions in processes such as growth and colour development. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of science.

This second volume in the Natural History of the Crustacea series examines how crustaceans-the different body shapes and adaptations of which are described in volume 1-make a living in the wide range of environments they inhabit, and how they exploit food sources. The contributions in the volume give synthetic overviews of particular lifestyles and feeding mechanisms, and offer a fresh look at crustacean life styles through the technological tools that have been applied to recent crustacean research. These include SEM (scanning electron microscope) techniques, micro-optics, and long-term video recordings that have been used for a variety of behavioral studies. The audience will include not only crustacean biologists but evolutionary ecologists who want to understand the diversification of particular life styles, ecologists who follow the succession of communities, biogeochemists who estimate the role of crustaceans in geochemical fluxes, and biologists with a general interest in crustaceans.

This concise instructional guide condenses the most important aspects of large animal handling. It provides a portable, durable, beside-the-animal means of learning, as well as a convenient way to refresh on how to strive for safety and efficacy in animal handling techniques. It is ideal for use during veterinary placements in all settings from farm to laboratory, to riding school. The text covers: * Handler safety * Animal safety * Sanitation * Approach and capture * Routine handling and release procedures * Handling for medical procedures * Use and supply sources of restraint equipment. A Companion Website provides additional self-assessment questions and answers to aid learning Important reading for undergraduate veterinary students on EMS rotations, as well as practicing veterinarians, technicians and assistants, the book covers species encountered in farm, equine and laboratory settings.

With the availability of high speed computers and advances in computational techniques, the application of mathematical modeling to biological systems is expanding. This comprehensive and richly illustrated volume provides up-to-date, wide-ranging material on the mathematical modeling of kidney physiology, including clinical data analysis and practice exercises. Basic concepts and modeling techniques introduced in this volume can be applied to other areas (or organs) of physiology.

The models presented describe the main homeostatic functions performed by the kidney, including blood filtration, excretion of water and salt, maintenance of electrolyte balance and regulation of blood pressure. Each chapter includes an introduction to the basic relevant physiology, a derivation of the essential conservation equations and then a discussion of a series of mathematical models, with increasing level of complexity.

This volume will be of interest to biological and mathematical scientists, as well as physiologists and nephrologists, who would like an introduction to mathematical techniques that can be applied to renal transport and function. The material is written for students who have had college-level calculus, but can be used in modeling courses in applied mathematics at all levels through early graduate courses.

Originally published in 1927, this book presents a comprehensive study of the reproductive processes of the cow from the perspective of 'the relatively new subject of agricultural science'. The study provides accounts of the breeding season, the oestrous cycle, pregnancy and sterility, all incorporating detailed scientific analysis. Illustrative figures and a bibliography are also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the development of agriculture and the history of science.