With more than 15,000 species, nearly a quarter of the total number of vertebrate species on Earth, freshwater fishes are extremely varied. They include the largest fish species, the beluga at over 7 meters long, and the smallest, the Paedocypris at just 8 millimeters, as well as the carnivorous, such as the piranha, and the calm, such as the Chinese algae eater. Certain species evolve rapidly, cichlids for example, while others transform very slowly, like lungfish. The fossils of these animals are very diverse in nature, sometimes just small scattered bones where sites correspond to ancient river beds or magnificent fossils of entire fish where there was once a lake. This book covers the history of these fishes over the last 250 million years by exploring the links between their biological evolution and the paleogeographic and environmental transformations of our planet, whether these be gradual or sudden.

Contains basic and up-to-date information on an emerging fish model Allows non-specialist readers to grasp the relevance of a wide research area Provides accurate and easy to access information on each of the 30 species Includes guidance for establishing a breeding colony Documents that Anemonefishes are useful model organisms for ecological, developmental and climate research

This textbook provides a comprehensive, reliable and practical guide to the dissection and parasitological examination of marine fish and cephalopods. The first part provides a general introduction, presenting basic information on: parasitology, ecology of the marine environment, history and methods of fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the ecology of marine fish and cephalopods and the impact of parasites on hosts. In turn, the second part provides general information on the morphology and anatomy of marine fish and cephalopods using the example of abundant morphotypes (including e.g. habitus photos of the body cavity and internal organs). The third part covers the relevant parasitic groups, their ecology (e.g. lifecycles, transmission), related diseases, and detection. The fourth part, a comprehensive methods section, provides essential protocols and applications of common dissection methods (for roundfish, flatfish and cephalopods) and stomach content analyses, as well as parasite preservation, preparation and molecular identification. Basic calculations of the most common infection and ecological parameters are also introduced. The book's fifth and final part provides information on health risks associated with fish and cephalopod consumption, as well as the prevention of human infection through the correct handling and processing of fish samples. The appendix provides e.g. blank sheets for recording fish dissections and parasitological examinations.

Tropical estuaries are among the most modified and threatened of aquatic environments, supporting innumerable fisheries essential to the regions in which they occur. This book synthesizes the wealth of data available in this area, much of it being brought together by Stephen Blaber for the first time. It will provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the fishes, the environments in which they live, and the management of biologically healthy estuaries and sustainable fisheries.

The Multilingual Illustrated Dictionary of Aquatic Animals and Plants provides a unique reference to the names of 1532 species of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, seaweeds and other fishery products that are landed worldwide. The names of these species can vary significantly between neighbouring regions of a country, from the size of the fish, from the stage of its life cycle, from the season of the year, and from its degree of treatment after capture. Co--published by the European Commission and Fishing News Books, the Multilingual Illustrated Dictionary of Aquatic Animals and Plants seeks to address this problem and to eliminate much of the existing confusion. New to the Second Edition of this acclaimed Dictionary is the addition of Finnish and Swedish to each existing entry. The Dictionary has been expanded to include new species and illustrations. For each entry, the following information is given: Reference number (the number given to the species within the index); Scientific (Latin) name; Family name; English name; Dutch name; French name; Danish name; German name; Greek name; Italian name; Portuguese name; Spanish name; Finnish name; Swedish name. Comprehensively illustrated, the New Second Edition of the multilingual Illustrated Dictionary of Aquatic Animals and Plants is an essential reference for all involved in the commercial fishing industries both within and beyond the boundaries of the European Union

Anguillid eels have fascinated biologists for centuries due to their spectacular long-distance migrations between freshwater habitats and their spawning areas far out in the ocean. This book provides a long overdue update on the biology and ecology of anguillid eels and features comprehensive coverage of the key features of the genus Anguilla. It covers a broad spectrum of topics on the biology (taxonomy, phylogeny, evolution, reproduction, feeding, salinity adaptation) and ecology (life history, recruitment, migration) of anguillid eels. It also brings together important information on the state of eel fisheries, conservation, exploitation, and management.

Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus, is an important commercial and recreational fish species and there has been much interest in maintaining its status among a variety of scientific, social and economic levels. Stocks are influenced by varying environmental conditions, changing fishing effort and efficiency, anthropogenic effects, inter- and intraspecific interactions, bycatch from other fisheries, and habitat alterations. Red Snapper Biology in a Changing World explores these changing factors and their potential effects on Red Snapper in the Eastern Atlantic region including the Gulf of Mexico and Southeastern U.S. The book will provide a better understanding of Red Snapper population fluctuations that will subsequently allow for better management decisions and more informed user groups in their efforts to maintain a sustainable fishery. It explores the responses Red Snapper have made, and are making, relative to their life history attributes such as early life history and adult ecology, especially attributes associated with population distribution and abundance, movement patterns, fish health issues and management success. A compendium of many papers presented at the 147th annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society in Tampa, Florida, this volume also includes additional research completed as a result of the symposium. It will be essential reading for fisheries scientists and managers, ichthyologists, resource and environmental managers, and policymakers who are involved with coastal fisheries.

The key aim of this book is to explore the global conservation and management of sharks. There has been a rapid decline in populations of many shark species, while new science has emerged of the critical role they play in marine ecosystems. However, the authors show that conservation law and policy have been slow to develop, with only a small number of iconic species being protected worldwide. The increase in fishing impact - primarily through shark finning and by-catch - has led to shark conservation receiving greater international attention in recent years. The book explores our current knowledge and status of the law and science in relation to sharks with a particular focus on improving frameworks for their conservation and management. Recent trends are analysed, including shark finning bans that have been put in place in several countries, the widening number of nations establishing shark sanctuaries and the growth of shark-based tourism. The efficacy of current listing processes for endangered species and fisheries regulations is also examined. Tourism is explored as an alternative to fishing and the risks and impacts associated with this industry are analysed. Contributors include leading authorities from universities and conservation organizations in North America, Europe and Australia. A common theme is to emphasise the importance of collaborative governance between various interest groups and the need for inter-disciplinary research and management approaches that are necessary to address the decline in sharks.

Apart from being commercially and socially significant, anchovies and sardines populations occupy crucial positions in the oceans' ecosystems. Low in the food chain, clupeoids tend towards abundance, as if their purpose in life was to be eaten and fuel the upper levels of marine trophic chains. The present book covers a broad spectrum of topics on the biology (sytematics, phylogeography, reproduction, feeding) and ecology (habitat characterization, recruitment variability) of anchovies and sardines. It also puts together important information on the state of their fisheries, exploitation and management.

Recent decades have witnessed strong declines in fish stocks around the globe, amid growing concerns about the impact of fisheries on marine and freshwater biodiversity. Fisheries biologists and managers are therefore increasingly asking about aspects of ecology, behaviour, evolution and biodiversity that were traditionally studied by people working in very separate fields. This has highlighted the need to work more closely together, in order to help ensure future success both in management and conservation.

The "Handbook of Fish Biology and Fisheries" has been written by an international team of scientists and practitioners, to provide an overview of the biology of freshwater and marine fish species together with the science that supports fisheries management and conservation.

This volume, subtitled "Fish Biology," reviews a broad variety of topics from evolutionary relationships and global biogeography to physiology, recruitment, life histories, genetics, foraging behaviour, reproductive behaviour and community ecology. The second volume, subtitled "Fisheries," uses much of this information in a wide-ranging review of fisheries biology, including methods of capture, marketing, economics, stock assessment, forecasting, ecosystem impacts and conservation.

Together, these books present the state of the art in our understanding of fish biology and fisheries and will serve as valuable references for undergraduates and graduates looking for a comprehensive source on a wide variety of topics in fisheries science. They will also be useful to researchers who need up-to-date reviews of topics that impinge on their fields, and decision makers who need to appreciate the scientific background for management and conservation of aquatic ecosystems.

To order volume I, go to the box in the top right hand corner. Alternatively to order volume II, go to: http: //www.blackwellpublishing.com/book.asp?ref=063206482X or to order the 2 volume set, go to: http: //www.blackwellpublishing.com/book.asp?ref=0632064838.
Provides a unique overview of the study of fish biology and ecology, and the assessment and management of fish populations and ecosystems.
The first volume concentrates on aspects of fish biology and ecology, both at the individual and population levels, whilst the second volume addresses the assessment and management of fish populations and ecosystems.
Written by an international team of expert scientists and practitioners.
An invaluable reference tool for both students, researchers and practitioners working in the fields of fish biology and fisheries.

Butterflyfishes (family Chaetodontidae) are a highly conspicuous component of fish fauna on coral reefs throughout the world. In light of their strong dependence on coral, they are often regarded as the epitome of coral reef fishes. This volume examines the ecology and conservation of coral reef butterflyfishes. It provides important insights on their evolution and key events and adaptations that have led to their proliferation within coral reef ecosystems. Key to the longevity of butterflyfishes is the evolution of coral-feeding-a central focus of the ecological chapters in this volume. The book also highlights key threats and challenges related to the conservation of butterflyfishes and ends with an overview of current and future research directions.

An epic excursion into one of the last great frontiers on Earth The deep ocean comprises more than 90 percent of our planet’s biosphere and is home to some of the world’s most dazzling creatures, which thrive amid extreme pressures, scarce food supplies, and frigid temperatures. Living things down here behave in remarkable and surprising ways, and cutting-edge technologies are shedding new light on these critically important ecosystems. This beautifully illustrated book leads you down into the canyons, trenches, and cold seeps of the watery abyss, presenting the deep ocean and its inhabitants as you have never seen them before. Features a wealth of breathtaking photos, illustrations, and graphics Gives a brief and accessible history of deep-sea exploration Explains the basics of oceanography Covers a marvelous diversity of undersea organisms Describes habitats ranging from continental slopes to hydrothermal vents and abyssal plains Discusses humanity’s impacts on the deep ocean, from fisheries and whaling to global climate change and acidification Written by a team of world-class scientists

A comprehensive elucidation of sex differentiation gonochoric and hermaphroditic fishes, this book examines sex chromosomes and sex determining genes, through sex differentiation genes and steroid receptor genes and to stem cells and germ cells. It emphasizes the need to search for more than one sex determining gene residing on different chromosomes, traces the origin of hermaphrodites from secondary gonochores, and explains the conservation of homologous sex differentiation and steroid receptor genes among gonochores and hermaphrodites. The author highlihgts that the changes in the phenotypic morphotypes among gonochores is intrasexual but intersexual among hermaphrodites and identifies the optimal broodstock size, the appropriate candidate species for bait and food fishes and recognizes that the fishes do undergo menopause and reproductive senescence, which has an implication on the production of stem cells. He shows that the analysis of steriles and mutants has demonstrated the value of fishes as a system for genetic dissection of human development and diseases.

This book gathers current data on the two types of fish metamorphoses and their endocrine controls. It will be of interest for fish biologists as well as comparative physiologists and endocrinologists. Metamorphosis is a major developmental phase characterized by morphological and physiological changes. It prepares organisms for a drastic shift in habitat and behavior. Among vertebrates, besides the well-known larval metamorphosis in amphibians, two types of metamorphosis are also described in the life cycle of some fish species. Larval metamorphosis, also called first metamorphosis or true metamorphosis, is encountered in lampreys, representative species of basal vertebrates as well as in some teleost groups, elopomorphs and pleuronectiforms, and possibly also in some other teleost species. Secondary metamorphosis occurs in juveniles of some diadromic migratory teleosts, such as salmons and eels, and compared to larval metamorphosis, involves less drastic morphological changes.

This volume on genetics, genomics, and informatics, will cover new technologies in forward and reverse genetics, transgenesis, the zebrafish genome and mapping technologies, informatics and comparative genomics, and Infrastructure. This volume of "Methods in Cell Biology" will prove valuable both to seasoned zebrafish investigators as well as to those who are newly adopting the zebrafish model as part of their research armamentarium.

This book is the first to report that research in allogenics/xenogenics has conclusively shown that fishes have retained bisexual potency even after sexual maturity and spermiation. The XY genotype found in the unexpected female phenotypes sired by supermales (Y1Y2) and androgenic males (Y2Y2) points out the need to employ sex specific molecular markers to identify the true genotype of a juvenile, which matures either as a male or female, depending upon the sex of its pair (female or male) and thereby critically assessing the environmental role in sex determination. This book is meant to assist molecular biologists in the search of sex determining gene(s), fishery biologists endeavouring to develop techniques for profitable monosex aquaculture and ecologists interested in conservation of fishes and their genomes.

Among all vertebrates, gobies are second in diversity only to the teleost family Cyprinidae. The Gobiidae consists of more than 200 genera and nearly 2,000 species and make up the largest family of marine fishes. Gobies account for as much as 50% of the energy flow in coral reef communities. Their small size, ability to adapt to numerous ecological niches and to be bred in aquaria has led to numerous studies both in the field and laboratory. Gobies are found from above the high tide line to depths of over 1,100 m. Some species are found only within caves, others deep inside sponges, and some others climb waterfalls to return to their native streams. They vary reproductively from gonochoric to hermaphrodite, monogamy to polygyny and promiscuity, some have short life spans and reproduce only once while others have longer life spans reproducing one or more times per year. The Biology of Gobies written by over 30 experts from 15 countries summarizes what is known about the systematics, ecology, zoogeography, and general biology of the Gobiiformes. This foundation will provide the basic information necessary for future studies.

Which species of sharks live within 500 nautical miles of North American shores, and what do we know about them? Jose I. Castro's The Sharks of North America is the first comprehensive book in sixty years to address these questions, and it does so with unrivaled authority and aesthetic detail.
The 135 comprehensive species accounts summarize the present knowledge. Each begins with the etymology of a species' common and scientific names, followed by the description, identifying characteristics, geographic range, biology, reproduction, location of nurseries, growth and longevity, and relation to humans. These accounts synthesize decades of research and first-hand examination of sharks collected in fisheries and research operations across the continent. They are thorough, current, and dispel many myths and misunderstandings found in the scientific and popular literature.
Each species is illustrated by one or more original profile figures in color, augmented by images of the snout, upper and lower teeth, and dermal denticles. The stunning color illustrations have been painted directly from freshly dead sharks or Castro's photographs of live or fresh specimens. Their anatomical accuracy and true-to-life coloration are unmatched. The detailed pen and ink drawings of the snout and teeth are crucial aids to species identification, as are the exquisite scanning electron microphotographs of dermal denticles.
The Sharks of North America will serve as the standard reference on sharks for the twenty-first century and is certain to become the primary source of information for anyone interested in sharks, from professional biologists and conservationists to students, informed laypersons, and fishermen."

Sasol First Field Guide to Sharks, Whales and Dolphins of Southern Africa provides fascinating insight into the sea creatures of the region. With the help of full-colour photographs or illustrations, distribution maps, and easy-to-read text, the young adult and budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common shark, whale and dolphin species found in southern Africa, discover where they live, and learn about their unique feeding and breeding habits.

The Biology of Lungfishes presents an up-to-date collection of reviews on some of the most important aspects of the life of lungfishes. The book draws on contributions from well-known experts with a long record of scientific work within their respective fields. The general natural history of the three genera of lungfishes, the fascinating fossil story, and modern ideas of lungfish phylogeny form the main part of the text. The book also covers the morphology and physiology of various organs.

Anguillid eels have fascinated biologists for centuries due to their spectacular long-distance migrations between freshwater habitats and their spawning areas far out in the ocean. This book provides a long overdue update on the biology and ecology of anguillid eels and features comprehensive coverage of the key features of the genus Anguilla. It covers a broad spectrum of topics on the biology (taxonomy, phylogeny, evolution, reproduction, feeding, salinity adaptation) and ecology (life history, recruitment, migration) of anguillid eels. It also brings together important information on the state of eel fisheries, conservation, exploitation, and management.

The unprecedented level of diversity recorded among the clones of self-fertilizing gynogenetic unisexuals and self-fertilizing simultaneous hermaphrodites challenges current ideas on the predominant role of recombination in promoting evolution of biological diversity. Though limited to a few species, the existence of self-fertilizing and cyclical sex changing hermaphrodites remains a puzzle to many geneticists and endocrinologists. Within a few days after the removal of a harem master or mistress, a successor changes sex and takes over the harem - the causes for the sex changing mechanism pose many challenges to socio-ecologists and behaviour specialists. This book is a synthesis of relevant and recent information on sexuality of fishes and points towards new directions of desired research.

This book sets out to bridge the order scales among pike researchers, populations, communities, management, and fisheries. It emphasizes the progress of pike research during the last two decades, during which the order-bridging approach emerged. This framework underpins the text and the message, to convey its importance to pike research and to fish research in general. In addition, a considerable part of the book is devoted to management implications and highlights aspects of human dimensions in recreational fisheries.

In most habitats, adaptations are the single most obvious aspects of an organisma (TM)s phenotype. However, the most obvious feature of many subterranean animals are losses, not adaptations. Even Darwin saw subterranean animals as degenerates: examples of eyelessness and loss of structure in general. For him, the explanation was a straightforward Lamarckian one, and one that did not involve adaptation and the struggle of existence. This volume is a comprehensive account of all known species of subterranean fishes. It includes an extensive introduction, history of investigations, consideration of non-stygobitic fishes in caves, and detailed analysis of the conservation status of these very rare animals.