Ecologists have always believed, at least to a certain extent, that physiological mechanisms serve to underpin ecological patterns. However, their importance has traditionally been at best underestimated and at worst ignored, with physiological variation being dismissed as either an irrelevance or as random noise/error. Spicer and Gaston make a convincing argument that the precise physiology does matter

In contrast to previous works which have attempted to integrate ecology and physiology, Physiological Diversity adopts a completely different and more controversial approach in tackling the physiology first before moving on to consider the implications for ecology. This is timely given the recent and considerable interest in the mechanisms underlying ecological patterns. Indeed, many of these mechanisms are physiological.

This textbook provides a contemporary summary of physiological diversity as it occurs at different hierarchical levels (individual, population, species etc.), and the implications of such diversity for ecology and, by implication, evolution. It reviews what is known of physiological diversity and in doing so exposes the reader to all the key works in the field. It also portrays many of these studies in a completely new light, thereby serving as an agenda for, and impetus to, the future study of physiological variation.

"Physiological Diversity" will be of relevance to senior undergraduates, postgraduates and professional researchers in the fields of ecology, ecological physiology, ecotoxicology, environmental biology and conservation. The book spans both terrestrial and marine systems.

Molecular mechanisms in visual transduction is presently one of the most intensely studied areas in the field of signal transduction research in biological cells. Because the sense of vision plays a primary role in animal biology, and thus has been subject to long evolutionary development, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying vision have a high degree of sensitivity and versatility. The aims of visual transduction research are first
to determine which molecules participate, and then to understand how they act in concert to produce the exquisite electrical responses of the photoreceptor cells.
Since the 1940s 1] we have known that rod vision begins with the capture of a quantum of energy, a photon, by a visual pigment molecule, rhodopsin. As the function of photon absorption is to convert the visual pigment molecule into a G-protein activating state, the structural details of the visual pigments must be
explained from the perspective of their role in activating their specific G-proteins. Thus, Chapters 1-3 of this Handbook extensively cover the physico-chemical molecular characteristics of the vertebrate rhodopsins. Following photoconversion and G-protein activation, the phototransduction cascade leads to modifications of the population of closed and open ion channels in the photoreceptor plasma membrane, and thereby to the electrical response. The nature of the channels of vertebrate photoreceptors is examined in Chapter 4, and Chapter 5 integrates the present body of knowledge of the activation steps in the cascade into a quantitative framework. Once the phototransduction cascade is activated, it must be subsequently silenced. The various molecular mechanisms participating in inactivation are
treated in Chapters 1-4 and especially Chapter 5. Molecular biology is now an indispensable tool in signal transduction studies. Numerous vertebrate (Chapter 6) and invertebrate (Chapter 7) visual pigments have been characterized and cloned. The genetics and evolutionary aspects of this great subfamily of G-protein activating receptors are intriguing as they present a natural probe for the intimate relationship between structure and function of the visual pigments. Understanding the spectral characteristics from the molecular composition can be expected to

This title offers an approach to the subject area by fully integrating the field of animal behaviour and biomechanics. It demonstrates how the study of biomechanics is useful in understanding, evaluating and making predictions about animal behaviour. The book examines how the mechanical limits of movement constrain and determine animal behaviour, for example swimming strategy of aquatic vertebrates, walking energetics in invertebrates, light mechanics and migration performance in birds.

Intravenous infusion is a necessary mode of delivery for many pharmaceuticals currently on the market or undergoing clinical trials. The technique of prolonged intravenous delivery in conscious, free-moving animal models has broadened the opportunity to study and evaluate the safety and efficacy of these therapeutic products. With contributions from an international selection of authors who are leaders in commercial infusion technology, Non-Clinical Vascular Infusion Technology, Volume II: The Techniques provides a current account of the techniques involved in all the major laboratory animal species for conducting successful vascular infusion studies with xenobiotics. Following in the footsteps of the highly praised Handbook of Pre-Clinical Continuous Intravenous Infusion, this new volume covers both up-to-date procedures and equipment. It is organized by species, including all those commonly used in pre-clinical studies: rat, mouse, dog, minipig, large primate, and marmoset. There are also chapters on juvenile studies and reproductive toxicity studies. Each section addresses the selection of the best model, surgical and non-surgical best practices, practical techniques, equipment selection, and commonly encountered background pathologies. Using a fresh approach, the authors identify best practices to be shared across the industry, and provide guidance on choices for the most acceptable methodologies from an animal welfare perspective. This volume, along with Volume I: The Science, provides a foundation of knowledge on infusion technology and its importance for safe clinical use of substances via this route of delivery. Features: Emphasizes best practices in accordance with the 3Rs-reduction, refinement, and replacement of animal usage in laboratories Presents step-by-step procedures and practical tips covering a wide range of common animal models, augmented by the liberal use of illustrations Covers modern practices and procedures in accordance with up-to-date equipment development

In the last decade, we have witnessed a striking maturation of our understanding of how neurons in the spinal cord control muscular activity and movement. Paradoxically, a host of new findings have revealed an unexpected versatility in the behavior of these well-studied neural elements and circuits. In this volume, the world's leading experts review the current state of our knowledge of motor control, outline their latest results and developments, and delineate the seminal unresolved questions in this vibrant field of research. The volume begins with a commentary and overview of our current understanding of the peripheral and spinal basis of motor control. The remainder of the volume is divided into seven sections, each focused on a different problem. The first chapter in each section provides some historical review and presages the experimental findings and hypotheses that are discussed in subsequent chapters.
Topics include the biomechanics of neuromuscular systems, the properties of motoneurons and the muscle units they control, spinal interneurons, pattern generating circuits, locomotion, descending control of spinal circuits, comparative physiology of motor systems, and motor systems neurophysiology studied in man. The book serves as a unique reference volume and should be essential reading for anyone interested in motor systems. Moreover, the volume's comprehensive coverage of a wide range of topics make it an effective textbook for graduate level courses in motor control neurobiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, and rehabilitation medicine.

Intravenous infusion is a necessary mode of delivery for many pharmaceuticals currently on the market or undergoing clinical trials. The technique of prolonged intravenous delivery in conscious, free-moving animal models has broadened the opportunity to study and evaluate the safety and efficacy of these therapeutic products. For the first time, the collective sciences involved in the understanding of this mode of drug delivery are brought together in one publication. Non-Clinical Vascular Infusion Technology, Volume I: The Science covers the scientific principles behind the delivery systems, from both physical and physiological standpoints. The book addresses body fluid dynamics, describes the scientific processes necessary to understand the various aspects of the physico-chemical issues relating to vascular infusion delivery, and discusses vascular infusion dynamics. It also considers all the essential elements of the preparation of a formulation intended for vascular delivery as well as assessment of compatibility of the formulation with the dosing apparatus. This volume, along with Volume II: The Techniques, provides a foundation of knowledge on infusion technology and its importance for safe clinical use of substances via this route of delivery. Features Identifies and shares best practices for non-clinical vascular infusion Presents modern practices and procedures in line with up-to-date equipment development Offers recommendations for in-life assessments in order to monitor the success or problems with the vascular infusion delivery Makes comparisons with human data in many areas

Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases of the Dog and Cat is the ultimate reference for veterinarians and other professionals trying to diagnose and treat both common and less frequently diagnosed diseases and conditions of the ear, nose and throat. The book is divided into four sections: The Ear, The Nose, The Throat and Surgery of the Ear, Nose and Throat. Each of the first three sections begins by discussing anatomy and physiology and then reviews a wide variety of diagnostic procedures including video-endoscopic examination of the external ear canal, nose and throat, radiography and advanced imaging, and histopathological examination of biopsy samples. Chapters in each of the three sections then provide a detailed and extensive review of the diseases of the pinna, external ear canal, middle ear and inner ear - nasal planum, nasal cavities and sinuses and nasopharynx - pharynx and larynx. The final section opens with a chapter on perioperative management with subsequent chapters that cover surgery of the ear, nose and throat. Extensively referenced, and including nearly 500 color illustrations to assist in diagnosis and treatment, the book is an invaluable resource for both veterinarians in training and in practice for the accurate diagnosis and management of diseases of the ear, nose and throat.

The complex and fascinating subject of endocrinology can often seem rather daunting for non-specialists. For practising endocrinologists too, maintaining a broad overview of the subject can be a major task. Laboratory Animal Endocrinology has been written with both these audiences in mind. Focusing on the species regularly used in experimental studies (including rodents, dogs and monkeys), each chapter presents a wealth of information on hormone structure, synthesis, secretion, receptors, second messengers and their actions, and considers the various physiological and pharmacological processes which may be involved in hormonal regulation. Interspecies’ differences in hormonal structure, metabolism and interactions with drugs and other chemicals are particularly important to toxicologists and in drug safety evaluation. Laboratory Animal Endocrinology also explores these areas of research and provides much-needed support for the interpolation of endocrine data from one test species to another and to humans. The book is not intended exclusively for toxicologists however, but will prove indispensable for all those working with laboratory animals.

Since the early 1950s, work has been undertaken on the infrared sensory organs of snakes by a handful of investigators around the world. Despite progress in uncovering the morphological, physiological and behavioral functions of these organs, study was discontinued by most of these workers. Not the least of the reasons was the fact that the infrared organs are possessed either by highly venomous snakes, the pit vipers, or by equally dangerous snakes because of their size, the pythons and boas.
Only Drs Shin-ichi Terashima, MD, Ph.D. and Richard C. Goris, Ph.D. have continued to work actively on these sensory organs, their work spanning the 30 years from 1967 to the present. A first collection of their works, Infrared Sensory System, was published by the university of the Ryukyus in 1987. The present volume presents the papers by Terashima, Goris and their colleagues from 1987 to the present. Much new light is shed on the physiology and morphology of these organs, which can truly be said to be infrared 'eyes' whose input is integrated with that from the eyes. This volume will be of considerable interest to all those interested in infrared detection of any kind, whether in nature or in its multifarious industrial applications.

These volumes differ from the current conventional texts on bone cell biology. Biology itself is advancing at breakneck speed and many presentations completely fail to present the field in a truly modern context. This text does not attempt to present detailed clinical descriptions. Rather, after discussion of basic concepts, there is a concentration on recently developed findings equally relevant to basic research and a modern understanding of metabolic bone disease. The book will afford productive new insights into the intimate inter-relation of experimental findings and clinical understanding. Modern medicine is founded in the laboratory and demands of its practitioners a broad scientific understanding: these volumes are written to exemplify this approach. This book is likely to become essential reading equally for laboratory and clinical scientists.

Since the popular first edition was published more than a decade ago, the number of swine used in toxicity studies has increased as an alternative to commonly used non-rodent species, such as dogs and primates. A volume in the Laboratory Animal Pocket Reference Series, The Laboratory Swine, Second Edition maintains the high standard set by the previous edition and is poised to continue its legacy as the premier laboratory reference on the care and use of swine in the laboratory. Emphasizes Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Swine Addressing the biology, husbandry, management, veterinary care and research applications of both large and miniature swine, this color reference is a complete source of information on the species. It is thoroughly updated and includes a major revision to the anesthetics section. It also places a heightened focus on animal welfare and addresses important considerations related to genetically modified swine. The book is divided into six parts: Important Biological Features examines everything from different breeds and behavior, to anatomical and physiological features, as well as digestive, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems Husbandry addresses housing, nutrition, sanitation, transportation, and more Management and Quality Assurance looks at the impact of infections on animal research using swine, zoonotic diseases, legal regulations, genetic monitoring, and more Veterinary Care covers a variety of topics, such as clinical examination, diseases, pain recognition, and post-operative management Experimental Techniques addresses restraint, sampling techniques, basic surgical procedures, and other issues Resources provides extensive references for further study, including handbooks, journals, and websites

Introduction to Animal Physiology provides students with a thorough, easy-to-understand introduction to the principles of animal physiology. It uses a comparative approach, with a broad spectrum of examples chosen to illustrate physiological processes from across the animal kingdom. The book covers a wide range of topics, including neurons and nervous systems, endocrine function, ventilation and gas exchange, thermoregulation, gastrointestinal function and reproduction. It also present topics that students typically struggle with, including neuronal membrane function, in a logical, structured format, highlighting to core concepts. Simple analogies are used to clarify important facts.

DIRECTLY APPLIES TO LIFE ON LAND SDG and CLIMATE CHANGE SDG. International organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC), World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization and World Organization for Animal Health have all reminded us that health impacts of climate change will become some of societies' greatest challenges. How we respond or adapt to climate change will have profound implications for people, animals, biodiversity, economies and ecosystems today as well as in the future. The book provides, in one easy reference, all of the information Animal Health practitioners need from defining the climate change concept, providing science-based evidence of climate change degradation of animal (ecosystem) health and successful mitigation and reversal strategies. Despite being arguably the most important challenges of the 21st century, engagement, and leadership from the animal health sector on climate change remains hard to find. This book attempts to support animal health professionals by providing information, knowledge, and experiences they can use to remedy this situation. There is no other book that covers anything like the proposed subject matter to this level of completeness and detail. The publishing of a text of this nature could help erode the power of the climate denialism lobby, shifting the debate and allowing mitigation efforts to gain higher priority. The tone of the book has an understated sense of urgency, leaning slightly toward presenting as a 'Manual for the apocalypse'. This has potential to be a benchmark publication. The text not only defines climate change but takes a proactive approach with intervention and corrective action examples: each chapter ends with suggestions on teachable and actionable ideas that could be used to mobilize concepts and information provided into education or advocacy. In this way, the book not only brings key ideas, principles and information to understand the implications for climate change for animal health, but will help translate the book's offerings into education and intervention. Teachers and researchers could use this one-of-a-kind book to frame a course or seminar series heightening student career engagement and stewardship of a more sustainable and healthier planet.

Insect physiology is currently undergoing revolutionary changes with the increased application of molecular biological techniques to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological responses to insect cells. Advances in Insect Physiology is committed to publishing high quality reviews on molecular biology and molecular genetics in areas where they provide an increased understanding of physiological processes in insects. Volume 27 of this classic series continues to provide up-to-date reviews on topical subjects of importance to all invertebrate physiologists and neurobiologists and contains increased coverage on the molecular biology of insect physiology.

Laboratory animals, including birds, play an important role in biomedical research. The humane care and management of these animals is an ongoing concern. A new addition to the acclaimed Laboratory Animal Pocket Reference series, The Laboratory Bird is the first publication dedicated to the care and use of avian species in the research setting. Covering avian species such as chickens, ducks, doves, parrots, and songbirds that are commonly used as research models, the book is divided into focused chapters that cover a broad range of topics, including: General avian biology and physiology Husbandry Regulations and regulatory compliance regarding the use of birds in research Experimental methods Veterinary care Along with discussing applicable regulations, the book also details issues of health management and quarantine approaches. The final chapter provides resources such as organizations, publications, vendors, and diagnostic laboratories. With its focus on the care of a diverse group of avian species in biomedical research settings, The Laboratory Bird is a valuable reference for animal care and veterinary technicians, laboratory animal veterinarians, trainees in laboratory animal medicine, and research staff members, as well as individuals involved in laboratory work who lack experience in working with birds.

Sources of clinical treatment information on nonhuman primates are generally scattered across journals, textbooks, conferences, personal conversations, and more. However, when a clinician on the treatment floor is faced with a patient requiring an immediate treatment decision, time spent on making an informed decision becomes a critical factor. An alternative to conducting a literature search in time-sensitive situations, the Pocket Handbook of Nonhuman Primate Clinical Medicine supplies guidance and initial direction on diagnosis and treatment, including working doses based on past case experience. It is the frank, to-the-point nature of the writing that makes readers feel as if they had just asked a colleague how to approach a clinical problem and obtained a quick, "what you need to know" answer. The chapter authors draw on personal experience to describe commonly encountered clinical conditions and how to treat these cases including not only the "dos" but also the "don ts." This format gives readers easy access to clinical signs, diagnostic criteria, and options for treatment. The Pocket Handbook of Nonhuman Primate Clinical Medicine is a convenient, concise, case-based handbook written by and for clinicians in charge of the diagnosis and treatment of nonhuman primate patients. Available in both print and electronic formats, this handbook saves readers from having to wade through pages of data and case studies to find answers when time is a factor on the clinic floor.

This volume in the Human Molecular Genetics series is an invaluable text for endocrinologists wishing to update their knowledge. It also provides an excellent grounding in the basic genetics of molecular endocrinology and relevant analytical techniques fo

Enamel, the shiny material covering the teeth of vertebrates is the hardest tissue the vertebrate body can produce and one of the most impressive products of biomineralization. This hard tissue is closely related to feeding, the first part in the energy intake process so basic to vertebrate life. Enamel has a complex internal microstructure full of phylogenetic and biomechanic information.
Topics covered: Ontogeny; Crystallite level; Prism level; Enamel type level; Schmelzmuster level; Dentition level; Evolution; Biomechanical level; Glossary.

Presented in an easy-to-ready format, Small Animal Imaging: Self-Assessment Color Review offers a case-based approach to reviewing and interpreting images and developing a differential diagnosis when necessary. Each case begins with the patient's age, gender, breed, and species. The reason the patient was brought to the clinic is discussed along with preliminary examination and diagnostic test findings. The book Covers nearly 200 cases with supporting high-quality images for each case Provides detailed answers for each case, including radiographic findings and diagnosis Is written by well-respected experts in the field. A separate section presents detailed answers for each case including information on the radiographic findings. Also included are the radiographic diagnosis, comments, and notes on whether further imaging or evaluation is needed. This guide helps practitioners to develop a systematic approach to reviewing images. The easily-navigable text reminds practitioners of the basics in radiography and ultrasound interpretation and diagnosis, making it a quick and convenient reference.

The last few years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of areas known to be involved in mammalian vision. It has also seen a far greater understanding of the importance of reciprocal connections, intrinsic connections, structure-specific modules and modules which span different structures, as well as the introduction of parallel processing models within the thalamocortical and corticocortical streams.

The body of knowledge has become so vast, and is growing so rapidly, that periodic updates are essential even for experts in the field. This volume is based on a satellite meeting of an international group of researchers. It emphasizes the most current information regarding midbrain and extrastriate mechanisms underlying vision and visually-guided behavior. The book also places these data into the larger context of how interrelated components of the visual system function to produce coherent visual experiences and behavior. New research findings are presented that are unavailable elsewhere, as well as reviews and broad perspectives in which existing data from multiple sources are brought together in order to help understand the structure and function of extrageniculostriate visual areas.

Nutrient management is an important aspect of feeding livestock and poultry. Today, there is more attention directed toward this issue in animal production than ever before. The heightened awareness of the environmental impacts associated with animal production has caused animal nutritionists to refocus their thoughts, practices, and expectations regarding how nutrients are supplied to animals. In addition, the increase in the size and intensity of modern production units demands new technologies for enhancing nutrient utilization and for reducing the amount of nutrients excreted. Covering these issues and more, Nutrient Management of Food Animals to Enhance and Protect the Environment is a reference tool for agricultural industry leaders, private practitioners, government agencies, and researchers.

The fifth edition of The Physiology of Fishes represents a compendium of knowledge across fish physiology, collecting up-to-date research into an easy-to-access single textbook. Written by the leaders in the field, it provides a comprehensive, accessible review of the core topics, integrating physiology with environmental science, ecology, evolution, and molecular cell biology. New chapters address Epigenetics, Biomechanics and Locomotion, and Behaviour and Learning. Each chapter contains an extensive bibliography, providing readers with the best sources from the primary literature. Almost three decades after the publication of the first edition, this book remains the only published single-volume work on fish physiology. The fifth edition provides an important reference for new students of fish biology, marine and freshwater biologists, ichthyologists, fisheries scientists, and comparative physiologists.

This book is a summary of the diversity between and within the classes of animals. It is intended for reference on all aspects of animals that can be studied comparatively, but such comparisons requires that the occurrence of the feature in question beknown for more than just one or two groups. It is in large part a book on invertebrate animals because the vertebrates from only a small part of the diversity of animals.

This important, long-needed revision of the authors' previous book discusses the 473 named species of coccidia of rodents. It. contains over twice as many as the 1965 book, The Coccidian Parasites (Protozoa, Sporozoa) of Rodents. Included is the available up-to-date information about each of these species. Data are given for the 99 forms which have insufficient information available to justify assigning them species names. This work can be used as a guide to future investigations, not only on rodent coccidia, but also on the coccidia of all other vertebrates and even some invertebrates. This book will serve as an invaluable and authoritative source for parasitologists. It is of importance to those involved in protozoology, tropical medicine, wildlife diseases and veterinary medicine.

* Classifies and describes different orders and families of rumen ciliate protozoa* Describes morphological features and how they are used to identify protozoa* Features line drawings, created by the author, of various rumen protozoa with all morphological features and size measurements