All You Need to Know About Spiders Spiders are super predators and devour everything they can overpower. To do this, they have developed incredibly good catching techniques and, with spider silk, a tool that makes material technology green with envy. The males are usually smaller than the females and, in order to have sex, they have to come up with a lot to avoid being misunderstood as easy prey: Dancing, drumming, and gifts almost always help. Spiders use their venom in very precise doses, and since humans are not on their menu, they are harmless to us. Many people's (unnecessary) fear of spiders finds cultural roots as early as the Middle Ages. Nevertheless, spider fear is easily treatable. There is no habitat or building without spiders. And that's a good thing, because spiders have fascinating properties and their world is full of surprises. Everything you need to know about them is explained in this book in understandable language by experts for laymen. In addition, some of the most common spider species in the house and garden are briefly presented with tips for observation. The authorsThis book is authored by eight scientists, all of them members of the Association for the Promotion of Spider Research: Wolfgang Nentwig, Jutta Ansorg, Angelo Bolzern, Holger Frick, Anne-Sarah Ganske, Ambros Hanggi, Christin Kropf und Anna Staubli

Since the last edition of this definitive textbook was published in 2013, much has happened in the field of animal behavior. In this fourth edition, Lee Alan Dugatkin draws on cutting-edge, new work not only to update and expand on the studies presented, but also to reinforce the previous editions' focus on ultimate and proximate causation, as well as the book's unique emphasis on natural selection, learning, and cultural transmission. The result is a state-of-the art textbook on animal behavior that explains underlying concepts in a way that is both scientifically rigorous and accessible to students. Each chapter in the book provides a sound theoretical and conceptual basis upon which the empirical studies rest. A completely new feature in this edition are the Cognitive Connection boxes in Chapters 2-17, designed to dig deep into the importance of the cognitive underpinnings to many types of behaviors. Each box focuses on a specific issue related to cognition and the particular topic covered in that chapter. As Principles of Animal Behavior makes clear, the tapestry of animal behavior is created from weaving all of these components into a beautiful whole. With Dugatkin's exquisitely illustrated, comprehensive, and up-to-date fourth edition, we are able to admire that beauty anew.

How many fingers do you have? How many toes? This engaging book teaches beginning readers how to count the parts of their bodies. Engage students in reading as they develop their early childhood literacy skills. With TIME For Kids content, this full-color book is aligned to state and national standards, and introduces students to simple informational text features.

Vector-borne diseases have increasingly emerged as significant causes of human illnesses worldwide, largely due to environmental changes (deforestation), population movements (migration and travelling), international trades, and buildup of drug resistance. These are presenting major challenge to the efficacy and use of conventional tools for controlling vector-borne diseases. Therefore, use of microbial approach for the control of vector-borne diseases is gaining importance. This book comprehensively reviews vector-borne diseases and their microbial control, emphasizing majorly on ecofriendly ways of microbial control.

Histopathology Atlas of Acute Radiation Syndrome and Delayed Effects in Rhesus Macaques: Kidney, Lung, Heart, Intestine and Mesenteric Lymph Node provides a thoroughly illustrated review of the tissue damage and reparative changes associated with standardized irradiation doses in rhesus macaques. In addition to time-sequenced, routinely stained histologic sections, the book presents results of numerous histochemical, immunohistochemical and chromogenic in-situ stains that provide insights into the pathogenesis of radiation-associated tissue injury and repair. This book is compiled and written by a board-certified veterinary pathologist with more than 40 years of experience in the interpretation of experimentally induced tissue alterations in laboratory animals. This is an important resource for researchers in the field of animal science radiation injury, including radiation oncologists and individuals involved in disaster preparedness related to accidental or deliberate radiation exposure in large populations.

A professional biologist with wide experience of working both in the UK and overseas, Rory Putman takes us with him on working trips to Iceland, East Africa, Nigeria and Indonesia, introducing us to the countries and their people, their natural history, and explaining some of the wildlife issues which have prompted himself and his colleagues to travel there in the first place. The stories cover episodes from more than four decades of working as a jobbing biologist overseas. The understanding required to solve problems and seek solutions to particular issues related to management and conservation of wildlife means that in some way the observer becomes much more intimately engaged, and perhaps gains a different perspective of the country and its culture than might be apparent to a more casual 'outside' onlooker. To some extent, that deeper involvement enables Rory Putman to give the reader more of an inside view and introduction to the countries and their wildlife from a wholly personal perspective. Like many other enthusiastic naturalists, the author enjoyed experiencing new habitats and seeing wonderful and exotic species on his travels and this engaging book will carry the reader along on the journey.

This instructional pocket reference condenses the most important aspects of small animal handling. It provides a portable, durable means of learning 'on the ground', as well as a convenient way to refresh on how to strive for safety and efficacy in animal handling techniques. Spiralbound for practical use at the animal's side during veterinary placements in a clinic or laboratory, 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 as well as practicing technicians, nurses and assistants, the book instructs on safe and humane handling of species encountered in both small animal practice and laboratory settings.

Crawfish Frogs (Rana areolata) have been called the most secretive frog in North America, and it is unusual in the twenty-first century - in the most scientifically advanced country in the world - that basic discoveries can still be made on an animal that inhabits a quarter of the United States. This is not only a story of the biology of Crawfish Frogs, but a case study of discovery. This volume describes the life history and natural history critical to the survival of the endangered amphibian and recommends management actions to ensure persistence. The authors tell an optimistic conservation biology story and fill a gap between science and the public. The authors have compiled and summarized the peer-reviewed literature on the biology of Crawfish Frogs, which may be one of the most interesting frogs in North America (that nobody knows about). Key Features Recounts the story of an imperiled species and how to go about saving it Vividly brings science to life and makes it accessible Provides a popular account of natural history research and ecological fieldwork Related Titles D. Vieira de Andrade, C. R. Bevier & J. Eduardo de Carvalho, eds. Amphibian and Reptile Adaptations to the Environment: Interplay Between Physiology and Behavior (ISBN 978-1-4822-2204-3). M. Ogielska, ed. Reproduction of Amphibians (ISBN 978-1-1381-1771-6). D. W. Sparling, G. Linder, C. A. Bishop & S. Krest, eds. Ecotoxicology of Amphibians and Reptiles, 2nd Edition (ISBN 978-1-4200-6416-2). F. L. Frye. Reptiles and Amphibians: Self-Assessment Color Review, Second Edition (ISBN 978-1-4822-5760-1).

As the expense of treating a growing number of end-stage kidney disease patients increases, greater attention has been paid to prevention and early treatment. The study of renal disease, however, suffers due to the complex nature of renal anatomy and physiology and the plethora of different cell types found in the kidney. In Kidney Research: Experimental Protocols, top experts in the field seek to aid researchers by providing a number of specialized techniques developed to examine this intricate system. Through both well-established and novel methods, this volume explores the preparation and culture of the main cell types used to study renal disease mechanisms, the common animal models used to mimic the various forms of human renal disease, and specific applications and techniques used in vivo and in vitro. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biologyâ„¢ series format, the chapters contain step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Essential and cutting-edge, Kidney Research: Experimental Protocols delivers invaluable guidance to new and experienced laboratory researchers delving into the sophisticated study of the kidney.

The natural world is full of awesome surprises, and the animal kingdom is no exception. As The Secret Lives of Animals reveals, it seems that the more we discover about the unusual species that populate our planet, the more we understand just how ingenious, resourceful and downright creative they can be! Did you know that red pandas are not only incredibly cute, but also master escape artists able to flee their enclosures in high security zoos all over the world with alarming frequency? Or that beautiful manta rays have not only been observed recognizing their own reflection in mirrors, but are also able to identify friendly divers and ask for their help when they're in a bit of a jam? Or that elephants, as well as having famously impressive memories, are also sophisticated communicators who send signals to each other using a wide range of body language? Or that parrots, as well as being amazing mimics, are able to learn dance moves? YouTube star Snowball, the dancing cockatoo, has a very entertaining fourteen-move repertoire. With charming and humorous illustrations from BAFTA-award-winning artist Greg McLeod (half of The Brothers McLeod), The Secret Lives of Animals is a window into some of the most complex and impressive minds of the animal kingdom, revealing the little-known skills and natural intuition that have allowed them to survive - and often have a little fun along the way.

MRI Atlas of the Infant Rat Brain: Brain Segmentation features an entirely new coronal, sagittal and horizontal set of tissue cut in regular 9 m intervals with accompanying photographs of MRI data and color drawings of selected brain regions in the three planes. The use of the single brain allows for greater consistency between sections, while color masking offers advances in manual segmentation techniques with increased refinement in the definition of brain areas. Readers will benefit from uniform and consistent manual tissue segmentation of MRI data in an infant rat brain. This volume provides readers the first infant rat brain MRI atlas and a valuable resource in research analyses of the developing brain for structural and functional MRI analyses.

A Short History of the World in 50 Animals provides a new perspective on the grand sweep of our planet's making, taking readers from the time of the dinosaurs to the time of Dolly, the first cloned mammal. This book will include a great variety of beasts from across the animal kingdom, some well known and others far more surprising, from every continent in the world. Each entry will show the creature's influence on world development, economy, health, culture, religion and society. The size of the animals range from hulking elephants to tiny bees but each one has made a significant impact on history. A Short History of the World in 50 Animals details the impact, legacy and role of fifty animals that determined the world's history and shows how many of them are essential for our future survival. Featuring charming black and white illustrations throughout, which celebrate these extraordinary animals. In the same series: A Short History of the World in 50 Places.

Nutrition is a very broad discipline, encompassing biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology, immunology, microbiology and pathology. Presenting the major principles of nutrition of both domestic and wild animals, this book takes a comparative approach, recognising that there are considerable differences in nutrient digestion, metabolism and requirements among various mammalian and avian species. Explaining species differences in food selection, food-seeking and digestive strategies and their significance to nutritional needs, chapters cover a broad range of topics including digestive physiology, metabolic disorders and specific nutrients such as carbohydrates proteins and lipids, with particular attention being paid to nutritional and metabolic idiosyncrasies. It is an essential text for students of animal and veterinary sciences.

Mason's World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties, now in its sixth edition, has a long history as a reliable and authoritative source of key livestock breed information. Intended as a list of livestock names and synonyms for breeds, groups, types and varieties worldwide, the dictionary aims to include all names found in the literature, 'defining' each breed or type with a brief indication of identifying characteristics, uses and source of origin. Expanded into a new edition, this established and trusted resource: Extends coverage to include yak and camelids in addition to the existing cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, asses and water buffalo.Features well over 10,000 entries and cross-references on breeds, sub-breeds, types, varieties, strains and lines of species.Covers newly created and now-recognised local breeds documented over the past two decades. An important updated work, Mason's Dictionary forms a useful reference for livestock breeders and academics interested in breeds, as well as national and international organizations with interests in livestock.

Dairy science includes the study of milk and milk-derived food products, examining the biological, chemical, physical, and microbiological aspects of milk itself, as well as the technological (processing) aspects of the transformation of milk into its various consumer products, including beverages, fermented products, concentrated and dried products, butter and ice cream. This encyclopedia includes information on the possible impact of genetic modification of dairy animals, safety concerns of raw milk and raw milk products, peptides in milk, dairy-based allergies, packaging and shelf-life and other topics of importance and interest to those in dairy research and industry. The Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences, Five Volume Set is the only work available that covers in detail the entirety of dairy science, from husbandry of dairy animals, milk production, through the processing of milk into a myriad of dairy products and ingredients, to the effect of dairy foods on human health. The third edition of Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences will retain the split that characterized the earlier editions - one-third primary production, two-thirds dairy food. Unlike earlier editions, in which articles were arranged in alphabetical order by topic, this edition will be optimally organized into 9 coherent sections. This new edition contains 500 articles, the vast majority of which has been significantly revised or is completely new. Only 40 chapters have been retained from the earlier edition as they cover basic science areas still relevant and important today. All articles have been reviewed by specialists in their area.

'Spellbinding . . . More than any other book, [Sentient] has made me think differently about the world this year.' - Financial Times Best Books of the Year The peacock mantis shrimp can throw a punch that can fracture aquarium walls. The great grey owl can hear many decibels lower than the human ear. The star-nosed mole's miraculous nose allows it to catch worms in as little as 120 milliseconds. In Sentient, Jackie Higgins assembles a menagerie of zoological creatures - from land, air, sea and all four corners of the globe - to understand what it means to be human. In it, we also meet the four-eyed spookfish and its dark vision, the vampire bat and its remarkable powers of touch, as well as the common octopus, the Goliath catfish and the duck-billed platypus. Each zoological marvel illustrates the surprising sensory powers that lie within us and enables us to engage with the world in ways we never knew possible. 'Lyrical and lucid . . . Higgins makes popular science accessible.' - Observer

The Inductive Brain in Development and Evolution provides readers with a substantial biological education on animal nervous systems and their role in the development, adaptation, homeostasis, and evolution of species. The book begins by delving into the embryonic development of the brain and then discusses epigenetic information and neural activity post-birth. It then analyzes the inductive brain's neural and brain control of such factors like myogenesis, bone development, sensory organs, metamorphosis in vertebrates and invertebrates, and wing development in insects. The book closes with an examination of phenotypic evolution in neural control, mechanisms, and drivers of animal brains. The Inductive Brain in Development and Evolution will offer evolutionary biologists, specifically those researching development, adaptation, and evolution of animals, a comprehensive text that covers a variety of valuable topics.

Tackling one of the most difficult and delicate of the evolutionary questions, this challenging book summarizes the more recent results in phylogenetics and developmental biology that address the evolution of key innovations in metazoans. Divided into three sections, the first considers the phylogenetic issues involving this area of the tree of life and the elucidation of those relationships that continue to trouble taxonomists. The second section considers the developmental biology of metazoan evolution including the development of the nervous system, sensory organs, and physiological maturation. Part three focuses on the evolution of pattern and process in the Metazoa.

This collection of 20 natural science essays explores the lives of animals, plants and fungi commonly encountered in the conifer and hardwood forests of northeastern North America.

The Evolutionary Ecology of Invasive Species offers new insights into the mechanisms that underlie rapid evolution in these species. The book provides a comprehensive overview of achievements in the field during the boom of information over the past two decades and includes discussions of possible future directions for the study of evolution in invasive species. Written by an international expert in invasion ecology, population genetics, and evolutionary biology, the book explores the roles of preadaptation, phenotypic plasticity, selection, and stochastic processes in driving rapid evolution. The book draws insights from a wide spectrum of invasive microbes, plants, and animals, covering many of the planet's biogeographic regions and discusses the evolutionary consequences for native species in response to biological invasions. A valuable resource to researchers and students in evolutionary biology, invasive species biology, and global change biology, this text suggests future research directions related to the evolutionary biology, impacts, and management of invasive species.

The field of whole genome selection has quickly developed into the breeding methodology of the future. As efforts to map a wide variety of animal genomes have matured and full animal genomes are now available for many animal scientists and breeders are looking to apply these techniques to livestock production. Providing a comprehensive, forward-looking review of animal genomics, Genomic Selection in Animals provides coverage of genomic selection in a variety of economically important species including cattle, swine, and poultry. The historical foundations of genomic selection are followed by chapters that review and assess current techniques. The final chapter looks toward the future and what lies ahead for field as application of genomic selection becomes more widespread. A concise, useful summary of the field by one of the world s leading researchers, Genomic Selection in Animals fills an important gap in the literature of animal breeding and genomics.

An exploration of the invisible connections sustaining the entire natural world from the bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees

Did you know that trees can influence the rotation of the earth?

Or that wolves can alter the course of a river?

Or that earthworms control wild boar populations?

The natural world is a web of intricate connections, many of which go unnoticed by humans. But it is these connections that maintain nature’s finely balanced equilibrium.

Drawing on the latest scientific discoveries and decades of experience as a forester, Peter Wohlleben shows us how different animals, plants, rivers, rocks and weather systems cooperate, and what's at stake when these delicate systems are unbalanced.

‘Peter Wohlleben doesn't merely look, he sees. Let's all learn as much from him as we can, and quickly’ Rosamund Young, author of The Secret Life of Cows

Neuroendocrine Regulation of Animal Vocalization: Mechanisms and Anthropogenic Factors in Animal Communication examines the underpinning neuroendocrine (NE) mechanisms that drive animal communication across taxa. Written by international subject experts, the book focuses on the importance of animal communication in survival and reproduction at an individual and species level, and the impact that increased production and accumulation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can have on these regulatory processes. This book discusses sound production, perception, processing, and response across a range of animals. This includes insects, fish, bats, birds, nonhuman primates, infant humans, and many others. Some chapters analyze how neuroactive substances, endocrine control, and chemical pollution affect the physiology of the animal's perceptive and sound-producing organs, as well as their auditory and vocal receptors and pathways. Other chapters address the recent approaches governments have taken to protect against the endocrine disruption of animal (vocal) behaviors. The book is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students seeking first-rate material on neuroendocrinological effects on animal behavior and communication.