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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Zoology & animal sciences > Vertebrates
Shorebirds, or waders, are a large group of small to medium-sized birds that occur worldwide, in a wide range of predominantly coastal or wetland habitats. Some species are largely sedentary whilst others are amongst the world's most migratory bird species, travelling thousands of kilometres in a few days. In addition to describing physical behavioural traits such as feeding, breeding, migration, and particular physiological adaptations, Shorebirds in Action also covers territorial behaviour both when feeding and breeding. There is detailed discussion of the range of species and their different lifestyles together with feeding strategies, flocking, roosting and the avoidance of predators. The seasonal features of shorebirds' lives are included, such as the various plumages that they have when breeding, or not breeding, together with the intervening periods of moult, during which the birds change from one plumage to the next.Shorebirds in Action is in two parts - firstly basic behavioural information and then a photographic section that explains the specific behaviour being illustrated for that particular shorebird at the time the photo was taken.Consequently, the book can be read as a general text, split into chapters that provide the basic behavioural information and also by reference to the extended photograph captions which explain the details of the particular behaviour shown. The book contains excellent photographs of about 180 shorebird species - over three-quarters of the world's total - and therefore provides a general reference for the identification of shorebird species and the recognition of their various plumages. It will be relevant to readers worldwide, including Europe, North America and Australasia. This comprehensive work can be read as a general text and also the photographs can be enjoyed separately in their own right. Detailed references to source material are provided.
The percid fishes (or perch family) comprise many species including the perch, pikeperch, yellow perch, walleye and the darters. These species are of great ecological and economic importance, being important components of the freshwater ecosystem and recreational and commercial fisheries. "Percid Fishes "covers aspects such as systematics, morphology, biology, ecology, diseases and parasites and the economic importance of percid fisheries. Special emphasis is placed within the book on the complex relationship between this family of fishes and their environment and how they respond to perturbations, especially those induced by humans. The author, John Craig who has a great deal of experience working on these fishes in many of the countries in which they occur, has drawn together an extremely important book which provides a unique, comprehensive and indispensable review of this most significant group of fish.
Birdwatching in Britain has grown increasingly dependent on burning fossil fuels. Regularly driving long distances to birding hotspots and frequent flying to see exotic species are seen as perfectly normal. In the face of the climate crisis, however, a growing number of birders are reassessing the way they enjoy and study birds. In this timely book, 30 contributors—from young birdwatchers to professional ornithologists—explain why and how they are shifting to climate-friendlier approaches. Low-carbon birding, they argue, is a legitimate and valuable way of enjoying birds. Furthermore, in itself this can bring many joys, some of them unexpected. From first encounters with hawfinches to focusing in on birdsong, from the Kalahari to the Hebrides, the stories told here are not about heroic efforts to save the planet. They are simply accounts of everyday humanity in unprecedented times—ordinary people with doubts and concerns about how to live a decent life and act responsibly in a rapidly warming world. The authenticity of their voices is a testament to the moment of awakening to the climate crisis in British ornithology. Above all, Low-Carbon Birding is an urgent call for birders to leave a better legacy in the skies and across the living world.
Originally published in 1976, the object of this volume was to present a relatively up-to-date overview of what was known, what was suspected, and what remained to be discovered concerning the general question of the evolution of the vertebrate brain and behaviour, and to present a list of references for those who wanted to delve deeper into one or another aspect of the problem. Accordingly, it contains chapters by palaeontologists, sensory morphologists and physiologists, comparative neurologists and comparative psychologists. The chapters are arranged in a sequence loosely approximating the order in which the various animals, brain structures, or behaviour first appeared. Therefore, the chapters fall naturally into sections, each section directed to a group of vertebrates, beginning with those which have very remote common ancestry and progressing to those with more recent common ancestry with mankind.
Serves as a comprehensive review to the substantial impact of gene amplification in molecular biology, genetic engineering and medical science. The book covers the mechanism of gene amplification, organization and structure of amplified genes.
Originally published in 1976, this volume reports research that will help us to understand the causes of psychogenic diseases. It deals both experimentally and theoretically with the question of symptom specificity in psychosomatic research - why some individuals respond to psychological stress with gastric disorders, others with sexual impotence, and still others with high blood pressure. As the author notes in summarizing his conclusions, "The repeated pairing of activation of a given organic system with intense nervous stress directs the pathological influence of the stressor primarily upon the system activated; subsequently the natural stimuli which would ordinarily activate the system in a normal manner sustain the pathological stressor's effect as a conditioned stimulus for the stressor effect." The translation of this work from the original Russian brings to the attention of Western investigators new and useful models of stress-induced disorders, and sheds new light on the pervasive problem of psychosomatic disease.
Not since the early 1970s has there been an attempt to describe and
illustrate the anatomy of the developing mouse embryo. More than
ever such material is needed by biologists as they begin to unravel
the molecular mechanisms underlying development and
differentiation. After more than ten years of painstaking work,
Matt Kaufman has completed The Atlas of Mouse Development--the
definitive account of mouse embryology and development.
Humans spend more time in or on the water than ever before; we love the beach. But for many people, getting in the water provokes a moment's hesitation. Shark attacks are big news events and although the risk of shark attack on humans is incredibly low, the fact remains that human lives are lost to sharks every year. Shark Attacks explores the tension between risk and human fear and the need to conserve sharks and protect the important ecological roles they play in our marine environments. Marine biologist Blake Chapman presents scientific information about shark biology, movement patterns and feeding behaviour. She discusses the role of fear in the way we think about sharks and the influence of the media on public perceptions. Moving first-hand accounts describe the deep and polarising psychological impacts of shark attacks from a range of perspectives. This book is an education in thinking through these emotive events and will help readers to navigate the controversial issues around mitigating shark attacks while conserving the sharks themselves. FeaturesClarifies what is fact and what is fiction with regards to shark attack statistics and explains why the fear of sharks and shark attacks is so prevalent in modern society Discusses personal and regional mitigation devices and measures as well as the pros and cons of each of these Provides suggestions on how we can better manage the risk (real and perceived) of shark attack into the future Provides a range of personal accounts and public opinions on shark attack to round out our understanding of these events and to provide support for gaps in current policy
A major revision of the first comprehensive field guide to cover the birds of this exciting region, this book will enable birders to identify any species found in any of the countries covered. Birds of Western Africa (Helm, 2001) was the first single-volume guide to cover all the species of this region, which comprises 23 countries from Senegal and southern Mauritania east to Chad and the Central African Republic, and south to Congo. This updated edition uses all of the illustrations from Birds of Western Africa, along with a number of new paintings. The book also has updated colour distribution maps for each species placed on the text pages for the first time. On facing pages, concise, authoritative text aids identification to create a conveniently-sized, lightweight field reference covering all 1300 species found in the region. This handy guide will enable birders to identify any species found in any of the countries covered.
Winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction, Finalist for the Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction, and the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award, Shortlisted for the Stella Prize, Highly Commended in the Wainwright Prize for writing on global conservation, and a Sunday Independent Book of the Year. How do whales experience environmental change? Has our connection to these animals been transformed by technology? What future awaits us, and them? Fathoms blends natural history, philosophy, and science to explore these questions. Giggs introduces us to whales so rare they have never been named and tells us of whale 'pop' songs that sweep across hemispheres. She takes us into the deeps to discover that one whale's death can spark a great flourishing of creatures. We travel to Japan to board whaling ships, examine the uncanny charisma of these magnificent mammals, and confront the plastic pollution now pervading their underwater environment.
Primate Evolution and Human Origins compiles, for the first time, the major ideas and publications that have shaped our current view of the evolutionary biology of the primates and the origin of the human line. Designed for freshmen-to-graduate students in anthropology, paleontology, and biology, the book is a unique collection of classic papers, culled from the past 20 years of research. It is also an important reference for academicians and researchers, as it covers the entire scope of primate and human evolution (with an emphasis on the fossil record). A comprehensive bibliography cites over 2000 significant articles not found in the main text.
Molt is an important avian life history event in which feathers are shed and replaced. The timing, duration, seasonality, extent and pattern of molt follows certain strategies and this book reviews and describes these strategies for nearly 190 species based on information gathered from a 30-year study of Central Amazonian birds. Most species accounts are illustrated with several color photos focusing on wing and tail feather molt, molt limits, and how to use these patterns to accurately age birds. Published in collaboration with and on behalf of the American Ornithological Society, this volume in the highly-regarded Studies in Avian Biology series is a rich source of life history information for ornithologists working on tropical birds.
Leaping Ahead: Advances in Prosimian Biology presents a summary of the state of prosimian biology as we move into the second decade of the 21st century. The book covers a wide range of topics, from assessments of diversity and evolutionary scenarios, through ecophysiology, cognition, behavioral and sensory ecology, to the conservation and survival prospects of this extraordinary and diverse group of mammals. The collection was inspired by an international conference in Ithala, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 2007, where prosimian biologists gathered from Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The meeting reverberated with the passion prosimian researchers feel for their study subjects and with their deep concern for the future of prosimians in the face of ongoing habitat destruction and the burgeoning threat of bushmeat hunting. Chapters for this volume were contributed by researchers from across the globe; they attest to the diversity, vibrancy and rapid growth of prosimian biology, and to the intellectual advances that have revolutionized this field in recent years. Since its earliest beginnings, prosimian research and its resultant literature have had a strong francophone component, and researchers in many prosimian habitat countries are more comfortable reading and writing in French rather than English. French summaries of all chapters have been included. The volume is targeted at researchers, both those entering the field and established scientists, who have an interest in the biology of primates and small mammals. It is also aimed at conservation biologists seeking a deeper understanding of the faunas and conservation developments in Africa, Madagascar and Southeast Asia, and anyone who has an interest in discovering the true diversity of our order, the Primates.
A charismatic and arresting bird, the Painted Stork inhabits the plains and wetlands of India and Southeast Asia. This near-threatened species provides a good model through which to explore a variety of ecology and conservation issues. As a colonial nester, it is also useful for considering questions related to evolution and the development of avian coloniality. The Painted Stork sometimes nests opportunistically in the middle of large cities – the Delhi Zoo colony, for instance, has been active since 1960. This offers a splendid opportunity to study the species at close range, as attested by this book's lively photographic component. The Painted Stork is an important indicator of its wetland habitats, which themselves are highly threatened. Since environmental toxins, particularly organochlorine pesticides, travel rapidly along aquatic food chains, the study of piscivorous birds like the Painted Stork assumes special significance. Equally vulnerable today are the nesting colonies, located in marshes, village reservoirs and the wider countryside, including in urban settings. Perhaps because their natural nesting areas are becoming scarce due to habitat loss, colonial waterbirds look for suitable sites in parks and gardens. Hence, the behaviour of this species reflects changes occurring in its environment. Birds also help us monitor the effects of global climate change, and one of the most significant dimensions of the Painted Stork is its dependence upon the monsoon. How exactly do these seasonal rains govern the food cycles in wetlands? And what happens when the monsoon fails? Covering all aspects of Painted Stork ecology, behaviour, conservation and its relationship with humans, this accessible monograph contains a wealth of new insights.
The contributors to this volume present research concerning the
cognitive structures and development of nonhuman primates from a
cognitive psychological perspective. The authors and researchers
come to this project from the study of humans and apply their
knowledge to research on nonhumans. For professional, researchers,
and students in cognitive, developmental, and experimental
psychology.
This part completes the review of the largest and economically richest order of fishes, Perciformes, begun in Part 3. It includes 12 suborders with keys and brief descriptions to 230 species, and information on their ecology and distribution.
Kenya, a country only the size of Texas, has one of the richest avifaunas in Africa. This atlas is an explanatory overview of Kenya's 1065 species, essential both to the birdwatcher as a means of finding birds and interpreting the significance of field observations, and to the ornithologist as a standard reference work.
Modeling of Oxygen Transport to Skeletal Muscle: Blood Flow Distribution, Shunt, and Diffusion.- The Haldane Effect of Rabbit Blood Under Different Acid-Base Conditions.- Interaction of Blood Flow, Diffusive Transport and Cell Metabolism in Isovolemic Anemia.- The Role of Wall Shear Stress in Microvascular Network Adaptation.- Changes in Tissue Histology Associated with Adaptation and Acclimation to Hypoxia.- Transcutaneous Measurements of Skin O2 Supply and Blood Gases.- Relating Measuring Signals from PO2 Electrodes to Tissue PO2: A Theoretical Study.- A New Catheter for Quasi-Continuous Measurement of Arterial Partial Oxygen Pressure.- Continuous Intra-Arterial PO2 Monitoring During Thoracic Surgery.- Construction, Calibration and Evaluation of PO2 Electrodes for Chronical Implantation in the Rabbit Brain Cortex.- Photothrombosis in Rabbit Brain Cortex: Follow Up by Continuous pO2 Measurement.- Intravitreal and Intraretinal Oxygen Tension in the Rat Eye.- Brain Oxygenation State: Preparation of Isolated Perfused Rat Brain and Near-Infrared Spectrophotometry.- The Simultaneous Measurement of the Redox State of Cytochrome Oxidase in Heart and Brain of Rat In Vivo by NIR.- Picosecond Time of Flight Measurement of Living Tissue: Time Resolved Beer-Lambert Law.- Cerebral Oxygenation State in Chemically-Induced Seizures in the Rat: Study by Near Infrared Spectrophotometry.- Experimentally Measured Optical Pathlengths for the Adult Head, Calf and Forearm and the Head of the Newborn Infant as a Function of Inter Optode Spacing.- Near-Infrared Imaging in vivo (I): Image Restoration Technique Applicable to the NIR Projection Images.- Muscle Oxygenation by Fast Near Infrared Spectrophotometry (NIRS) in Ischemic Forearm.- Near-Infrared Imaging in vivo (II): 2-Dimensional Visualization of Tissue Oxygenation State.- Monitoring of the Oxygen Pressure in the Blood of Live Animals Using the Oxygen Dependent Quenching of Phosphorescence.- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and the Study of Tissue Oxygen Metabolism: A Review.- On-Line Oxygen Uptake Measurement (VO2): A Computer Feed-Back Controlled Rebreathing Circuit for Long Term Oxygen Uptake Registration.- Oxygen Delivery (DEL O2) Dependent and Independent Oxygen Consumption (VO2).- Microtopographic Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Organ Microcirculatory Units.- Cytochrome P-450 Under Conditions of Oxidative Stress: Role of Antioxidant Recycling in the Protection Mechanisms.- Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Free Radical Involvement in Gastric Mucosal Disorders.- Influence of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Free Radical Scavengers on Intestinal Ischemia Induced Oxidative Tissue Damage.- Influence of Free Radical Scavengers on Myeloperoxidase Activity and Lipid Peroxidation in Acute Skin Grafts.- Morphometric Methods for the Evaluation of Capillary Grouping Patterns in Rat Heart.- Estimation of the Oxygen Gradient Across Phospholipid Bilayers of Mitochondria from Reperfused Rabbit Hearts after Ischemia.- The Oxygen Dependence of Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation and Its Role in Regulation of Coronary Blood Flow.- Oxygen Penetration in and Release from Lung Surfactant.- Improvement of Pulmonary Gas Exchange After Surfactant Replacement in Rats With Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia.- Attenuation of Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction in Acute Oleic Acid Lung Injury: Significance of Vasodilator Prostanoids.- 99mTc-DTPA Clearance: A Sensitive Method for Early Detection of An Impending Disturbance in Gas Exchange.- Acute Respiratory Failure During Pneumonia Induced by Sendai Virus.- Estimation of Respiratory Mechanics in Dogs with Acute Lung Injury.- Effect of Hyperventilation on Oxygenation of the Brain Cortex of Neonates.- Hypoxia and the "Reaction Theory" of Central Respiratory Chemosensitivity.- Oxygenation of Mammary Tumors: From Isotransplanted Rodent Tumors to Primary Malignancies in Patients.- Measurements of Tumor Blood Flow Using Intraperitoneal Deuterium and 2H-NMR Spectroscopy....
The definitive photographic guide to the amazing avifauna of the Middle East. The Middle East has a wonderfully broad and diverse avifauna, featuring a host of wintering and passage migrants, enigmatic and sometimes colourful breeders, and even a few endemics that occur nowhere else. The perfect companion for any wildlife-friendly visitor, Birds of the Middle East provides photographic coverage of more than 320 species that regularly occur in the region. Concise text for each species includes information on identification, songs and calls, behaviour, distribution and habitat, with each photo having been carefully selected to guide identification. A guide to the best birdwatching sites in the Middle East is also included. Portable yet authoritative, this is the perfect guide for travellers and birdwatchers visiting this spectacular and bird-rich slice of western Asia.
This laboratory guidebook provides step-by-step procedures that will aid in the dissection and collection of major organs and tissues of the most common species of small animals used in biomedical research. Through extensive use of photographs and illustrations, the dissector is guided through a complete necropsy of each species for the purpose of collecting the organs and tissues routinely examined by pathologists. The techniques described will enable the technician to perform necropsies on almost any mammal in a precise and logical sequence, and to properly collect tissue in order to avoid diagnostic errors. Morphological differences among the various species are discussed.
Primate Evolution and Human Origins compiles, for the first time, the major ideas and publications that have shaped our current view of the evolutionary biology of the primates and the origin of the human line. Designed for freshmen-to-graduate students in anthropology, paleontology, and biology, the book is a unique collection of classic papers, culled from the past 20 years of research. It is also an important reference for academicians and researchers, as it covers the entire scope of primate and human evolution (with an emphasis on the fossil record). A comprehensive bibliography cites over 2000 significant articles not found in the main text.
Beavers are represented by two extant species, the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) and the North American beaver (Castor canadensis); each has played a significant role in human history and dominated wetland ecology in the northern hemisphere. Their behaviour and ecology both fascinate and perhaps even infuriate, but seemingly never fail to amaze. Both species have followed similar histories from relentless persecution to the verge of extinction (largely through hunting), followed by their subsequent recovery and active restoration which is viewed by many as a major conservation success story. Beavers have now been reintroduced throughout Europe and North America, demonstrating that their role as a keystone engineer is now widely recognised with proven abilities to increase the complexity and biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems. What animals other than humans can simultaneously act as engineers, forest workers, carpenters, masons, creators of habitats, and nature managers? Over the last 20 years, there has been a huge increase in the number of scientific papers published on these remarkable creatures, and an authoritative synthesis is now timely. This accessible text goes beyond their natural history to describe the impacts on humans, conflict mitigation, animal husbandry, management, and conservation. Beavers: Ecology, Behaviour, Conservation, and Management is an accessible reference for a broad audience of professional academics (especially carnivore and mammalian biologists), researchers and graduate students, governmental and non-governmental wildlife bodies, and amateur natural historians intrigued by these wild animals and the extraordinary processes of nature they exemplify.
Have you ever seen a fish that could do a handstand? This is the story of a quirky and primitive little fish that is famous for two things: walking on its 'hands' (pectoral fins), and being the first marine fish anywhere in the word to be listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Spotted Handfish has survived since the time of the dinosaurs - until now. Invasive seastars, pollution and climate change mean that this unique Australian is in real trouble - raise your hand if you want to know more! Hold On! Saving the Spotted Handfish is perfect for primary aged readers. Teachers notes can be downloaded for free from the CSIRO Publishing website. Marine environment story, narrated by a handfish. Showcases handfish biology and ecology, in addition to threats and their conservation plight, and importantly, how science is stepping in to save the day. Includes Fact File section and a glossary.
Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) are migratory songbirds that breed in temperate North America, primarily in the Great Lakes region with remnant populations throughout the Appalachian Mountains, and winter in Central and northern South America. Their breeding range has contracted dramatically in the Appalachian Mountains and many populations have dramatically declined, likely due to habitat loss, competition and interbreeding with Blue-winged Warblers (Vermivora pinus), andglobal climate change.. As a result of population declines in much of the eastern portion of their breeding range, Golden-winged Warblers are listed as endangered or threatened in 10 U.S. states and in Canada and have been petitioned for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Published in collaboration with and on behalf of The American Ornithological Society, this volume in the highly-regarded Studies in Avian Biology series compiles extensive, current research on Golden-winged Warblers and summarizes what is known and identifies many remaining unknowns, providing a wealth of peer-reviewed science on which future research and listing decisions can be based. |
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