Ethical Debates in Orangutan Conservation explores how conservationists decide whether, and how, to undertake rehabilitation and reintroduction (R&R) when rescuing orphaned orangutans. The author demonstrates that exploring ethical dilemmas is crucial for understanding ongoing disagreements about how to help endangered wildlife in an era of anthropogenic extinction. Although R&R might appear an uncontroversial activity, there is considerable debate about how, and why, it ought to be practised. Drawing on in-depth qualitative research with orangutan conservation practitioners, this book examines how ethical trade-offs shape debates about R&R. For example, what if the orphan fails to learn how to be an orangutan again, after years in the company of humans? What if she is sent into the forest only to slowly starve? Would she have been better off in a cage? Could the huge cost of sending a rescued ape back to the wild be better spent on stopping deforestation in the first place? Or do we have a moral obligation to rescue the orphan regardless of cost? This book demonstrates that deconstructing ethical positions is crucial for understanding ongoing disagreements about how to help our endangered great ape kin and other wildlife. Ethical Debates in Orangutan Conservation is essential reading for those interested in conservation and animal welfare, animal studies, primatology, geography, environmental philosophy, and anthropology.

What are the benefits of owning a dog on health and well-being? Why does a problem dog behave as it does and how can owners deal with unwanted behaviour? How do dogs communicate with humans and each other? The Psychology of Dog Ownership explores the nature of our unique relationship with dogs and its effect on our mental and physical welfare. The book uses psychological learning theory to examine dog behaviour and highlights the importance of determining between typical dog behaviour and behaviour disorders that need treatment. Focusing on how dog owners can communicate effectively with their pets, and always with the dogsbest interests in mind, The Psychology of Dog Ownership enhances our understanding of the modern human-canine bond and shows how important and enjoyable this relationship can be.

The greatest complexity of the immune response is shown by vertebrates which are endowed with innate and acquired immunity. Immunological studies performed mostly in mammals have been the reference for studies in other vertebrates. The study of immunological fish defenses has advanced considerably in recent decades. This has been due to the key status of fish in terms of the evolution of acquired immunity and due to the rapid expansion of aquaculture over this period, wherein disease control is of prime concern. Most of the chapters not only review the current advances on fish immune defenses, but also show perspective for future research. The book will be of interest to scientists involved in fish immunology, fisheries and aquaculture as well as for students of fish biology.

This book explores the profound importance of phenotypic plasticity as a central organizing theme for understanding biology. Chapters take a broad, integrative approach to explain how physical and biological environmental stimuli (temperature, photoperiod, nutrition, population density, predator presence, etc.), influence insect biochemical, physiological, learning, and developmental processes, altering phenotype, which then influences performance, ecology, life-history, survival, fitness, and subsequent evolution. Topics include endocrinology, development, body size, allometry, polyphenism, reproduction, reproductive and life-history tradeoffs, alternative mating and life-history strategies, density-dependent prophylaxis, physiological adaptation, acclimation, homeostasis, heat-shock proteins, learning, adaptive anti-predator behavior, and evolution of phenotypic plasticity.

It may be surprising to us now, but the taxidermists who filled the museums, zoos, and aquaria of the twentieth century were also among the first to become aware of the devastating effects of careless human interaction with the natural world. Witnessing firsthand the decimation caused by hide hunters, commercial feather collectors, whalers, big game hunters, and poachers, these museum taxidermists recognized the existential threat to critically endangered species and the urgent need to protect them. The compelling exhibits they created-as well as the scientific field work, popular writing, and lobbying they undertook-established a vital leadership role in the early conservation movement for American museums that persists to this day. Through their individual research expeditions and collective efforts to arouse demand for environmental protections, this remarkable cohort-including William T. Hornaday, Carl E. Akeley, and several lesser-known colleagues-created our popular understanding of the animal world and its fragile habitats. For generations of museum visitors, they turned the glass of an exhibition case into a window on nature-and a mirror in which to reflect on our responsibility for its conservation.

Human language, cognition, and culture are unique; they are unparalleled in the animal kingdom. The claim that we can learn what makes us human by studying other animal species provokes vigorous reactions and many deny that comparative research can shed any light on the origins and character of human distinctive capacities. However, Learning from Animals? presents empirical research and an analysis of comparative approaches for an understanding of human uniqueness, arguing that we cannot know what capacities are uniquely human until we learn what other species can do.

This interdisciplinary volume explores the prospects and problems of comparative approaches for understanding modern humans abilities by presenting: (1) the latest findings and theoretical approaches in primatology, comparative psychology, linguistics, and philosophy; (2) methodological reflections on the prospects and challenges of understanding human capacities through comparative research strategies; and (3) discussions of conceptual and ethical issues.

This is the first book to address the issues raised by comparative research from such a diverse perspective. It will therefore be of great interest to students, researchers, and professionals in comparative psychology, linguistics, primatology, biology, and philosophy.

A lavishly illustrated guide to the world's turtles that covers every family and genus Turtles of the World reveals the extraordinary diversity of these amazing reptiles. Characterized by the bony shell that acts as a shield to protect the softer body within, turtles are survivors from the time of the dinosaurs and are even more ancient in evolutionary terms than snakes and crocodilians. Of more than 350 species known today, some are highly endangered. In this beautiful guide, turtle families, subfamilies, and genera are illustrated with hundreds of color photographs. Each genus profile includes a population distribution map, a table of information, and commentary that includes notable characteristics and discussion of related species. More than 250 beautiful color photos Each profile features a distribution map, table of information, and commentary Broad coverage includes every family and genus

Southern Africa has a particularly rich and varied insect fauna of 26 orders, 579 families and about 80 000 species currently recorded. The wealth of information on the systematics and biology of southern African insect groups has not been comprehensively treated before and is here condensed by 48 contributors, each of whom is an authority on a particular group. A work of this nature requires a balance between scientific accuracy and utility so that the information will be easily accessible and comprehensible to professional and amateur entomologists alike. In this work, the scientist will find enough general information to lead him or her to more detailed works while the amateur entomologist will find sufficient explanation in the text, beautiful colour illustrations and glossary.

Primatologists have long viewed small fruiting trees, like figs, as the reason for gibbons' territorial and monogamous behavior. However, at Khao Yai National Park in Thailand where gibbons are prevalent, figs are one of the largest trees in the forest. In this long-term field study, Bartlett addresses this apparent contradiction and follows gibbons as their major food sources fluctuate over time. The titles in the Primate Field Studies series impart the comprehensive results of long-term field studies to a broad audience at a critical time. Long-term field studies often have a cohesive story to tell which encompasses many different topics, from group size and food distribution, to social behavior, reproduction, and demography. The comprehensive and accessible monographs can supplement textbooks, or may be used as a stand-alone text in upper-level primatology courses.

The lives and activities of seabirds as you've never seen them before Seabirds evoke the spirit of the earth's wildest places. They spend large portions of their lives at sea, often far from land, and nest on beautiful and remote islands that humans rarely visit. Thanks to the development of increasingly sophisticated and miniaturized devices that can track their every movement and behavior, it is now possible to observe the mysterious lives of these remarkable creatures as never before. This beautifully illustrated book takes you on a breathtaking journey around the globe to reveal where these birds actually go when they roam the sea, the tactics they employ to traverse vast tracts of ocean, the strategies they use to evade threats, and more. Michael Brooke has visited every corner of the world in his lifelong pursuit of seabirds. Here, he draws on his own experiences and insights as well as the latest cutting-edge science to shed light on the elusive seafaring lives of albatrosses, frigatebirds, cormorants, and other ocean wanderers. Where do puffins go in the winter? How deep do penguins dive? From how far away can an albatross spot a fishing vessel worth following for its next meal? Brooke addresses these and other questions in this delightful book. Along the way, he reveals that seabirds are not the aimless wind-tossed creatures they may appear to be and explains the observational innovations that are driving this exciting area of research. Featuring illustrations by renowned artist Bruce Pearson and packed with intriguing facts, Far from Land provides an extraordinary up-close look at the activities of seabirds.

Marvel at the lives of hummingbirds with this collection of photographs and information by award-winning author and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela. Their beauty captivates us. Their aerial acrobatics enchant us. Hummingbirds are beloved backyard visitors. They are dainty and elusive. A hummingbird sighting is a remarkable event, one worthy of remembering, cherishing, and sharing with others. Award-winning author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela believes that hummingbirds are fascinating and adorable birds. He spent more than 10 years traveling across the country to observe and photograph the hummingbird's various species, from ruby-throated to rufous. He documented every aspect of the hummingbird's life: major events such as migration and courtship, as well as everyday activities including feeding and sleeping. The result is a striking portrayal of these amazing animals in Hummingbirds. Stan's extraordinary photographs depict the backyard birds in a new, unique fashion. His fascinating text, drawn from detailed research and personal observations, provides information about every aspect of the hummingbirds' lives. Presented with headings and short paragraphs, the coffee-table book is pleasurable to browse and easy to read. "They are wondrous and beautiful," says Stan. "Watching them in action is almost magical." Unmatched by any other book on the market, Hummingbirds is a must-have for bird watchers, gardeners, and nature lovers.

Molluscs comprise the second largest phylum of animals (after arthropods), occurring in virtually all habitats. Some are commercially important, a few are pests and some carry diseases, while many non-marine molluscs are threatened by human impacts which have resulted in more extinctions than all tetrapod vertebrates combined. This book and its companion volume provide the first comprehensive account of the Mollusca in decades. Illustrated with hundreds of colour figures, it reviews molluscan biology, genomics, anatomy, physiology, fossil history, phylogeny and classification. This volume includes general chapters drawn from extensive and diverse literature on the anatomy and physiology of their structure, movement, reproduction, feeding, digestion, excretion, respiration, nervous system and sense organs. Other chapters review the natural history (including ecology) of molluscs, their interactions with humans, and assess research on the group. Key features of both volumes: up to date treatment with an extensive bibliography; thoroughly examines the current understanding of molluscan anatomy, physiology and development; reviews fossil history and phylogenetics; overviews ecology and economic values; and summarises research activity and suggests future directions for investigation. Winston F Ponder was a Principal Research Scientist at The Australian Museum in Sydney where he is currently a Research Fellow. He has published extensively over the last 55 years on the systematics, evolution, biology and conservation of marine and freshwater molluscs, as well as supervised post graduate students and run university courses. David R. Lindberg is former Chair of the Department of Integrative Biology, Director of the Museum of Paleontology, and Chair of the Berkeley Natural History Museums, all at the University of California. He has conducted research on the evolutionary history of marine organisms and their habitats on the rocky shores of the Pacific Rim for more than 40 years. The numerous elegant and interpretive illustrations were produced by Juliet Ponder.

A compact, richly illustrated photographic field guide to all of the birds of Galapagos, from renowned photographer and writer Tui De Roy A lifelong resident of Galapagos, Tui De Roy has been observing, studying, and photographing the islands' astonishing birdlife for sixty years. In A Pocket Guide to Birds of Galapagos, she distills everything she has learned to create a one-of-a-kind field guide that every birder visiting the archipelago will want to carry with them wherever they go. A compact yet comprehensive combination of field guide and natural history, the book features more than 600 of De Roy's superb photographs and is packed with detailed, easy-to-access information in bullet-point format. Every resident bird species is fully described and abundantly illustrated, showing different aspects of their life cycle, habitat, and behavior. And the islands' most iconic bird group-Darwin's Finches-is given special attention. With precise descriptions including plumage and beak variations, the book corrects many common identification errors about this group. Unique in design and content, A Pocket Guide to Birds of Galapagos is a must-have for all wildlife enthusiasts traveling to this fabled archipelago-and anyone who wants to better understand its spectacular birds. A compact yet comprehensive photographic identification guide Covers all resident species and frequent migrants Features more than 600 of Tui De Roy's superb color photographs Includes distribution maps and easy-to-find information for identifying and understanding each species, including life cycles, habits, range, and conservation status

Gills of healthy fishes are their lifeline to meet the challenges arising from their changing environment: oxygen gradient, alkalinity, temperature fluctuations and the added pollutants. The diverse and ever changing aquatic environment has a major impact on the organization of various organ-systems of fishes. This book contains seventeen chapters covering bony fishes which are focal to the current study. The chapters primarily cover fish respiration but also include osmoregulation, these being the two main functions of gills. Concurrently, cardiorespiratory synchronization has been well addressed. It is hoped that this book with its broad coverage and well-supported with illustrations will not only infuse interest in readers but merit a permanent place on the shelves of ichthyological literature.

The use of small animal models in basic and preclinical sciences constitutes an integral part of testing new pharmaceutical agents prior to their application in clinical practice. New imaging and therapeutic approaches need to be tested and validated first in animals before application to humans. Handbook of Small Animal Imaging: Preclinical Imaging, Therapy, and Applications collects the latest information about various imaging and therapeutic technologies used in preclinical research into a single source. Useful to established researchers as well as newcomers to the field, this handbook shows readers how to exploit and integrate these imaging and treatment modalities and techniques into their own research. The book first presents introductory material on small animal imaging, therapy, and research ethics. It next covers ionizing radiation and nonionizing radiation methods in small animal imaging, hybrid imaging, and imaging agents. The book then addresses therapeutic research platforms and image quantification, explaining how to ensure accurate measurements of high-quality data. It concludes with an overview of many small animal imaging and therapy applications that demonstrate the strength of the techniques in biomedical fields.

In the past two decades, our understanding of the navigational and physiological feats that enable birds to cross immense oceans, fly above the highest mountains, or remain in unbroken flight for months at a stretch has exploded. What we've learned of these key migrations-how billions of birds circumnavigate the globe, flying tens of thousands of miles between hemispheres on an annual basis-is nothing short of extraordinary. Bird migration entails almost unfathomable endurance, like a sparrow-sized sandpiper that will fly nonstop from Canada to Venezuela-the equivalent of running 126 consecutive marathons without food, water, or rest-avoiding dehydration by "drinking" moisture from its own muscles and organs, while orienting itself using the earth's magnetic field through a form of quantum entanglement that made Einstein queasy. Crossing the Pacific Ocean in nine days of nonstop flight, as some birds do, leaves little time for sleep, but migrants can put half their brains to sleep for a few seconds at a time, alternating sides-and their reaction time actually improves. These and other revelations convey both the wonder of bird migration and its global sweep, from the mudflats of the Yellow Sea in China to the remote mountains of northeastern India to the dusty hills of southern Cyprus. This breathtaking work of nature writing from Pulitzer Prize finalist Scott Weidensaul also introduces readers to those scientists, researchers, and bird lovers trying to preserve global migratory patterns in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges. Drawing on his own extensive fieldwork, in A World on the Wing Weidensaul unveils with dazzling prose the miracle of nature taking place over our heads.

Whether a secularized morality, biblical worldview, or unstated set of mores, the Victorian period can and always will be distinguished from those before and after for its pervasive sense of the "proper way" of thinking, speaking, doing, and acting. Animals in literature taught Victorian children how to be behave. If you are a postmodern posthumanist, you might argue, "But the animals in literature did not write their own accounts." Animal characters may be the creations of writers' imagination, but animals did and do exist in their own right, as did and do humans. The original essays in Animals and Their Children in Victorian explore the representation of animals in children's literature by resisting an anthropomorphized perception of them. Instead of focusing on the domestication of animals, this book analyzes how animals in literature "civilize" children, teaching them how to get along with fellow creatures-both human and nonhuman.

With the staggering amount of pet health information available on the Internet, it is often difficult to find exactly what you are looking for. The Internet Guide to Pet Health is a one-stop guide that weeds through all the clutter to bring you only the most dependable sources and relevant content. This comprehensive compilation of annotated links will serve as a handy, useful, and easy-to-consult guide for persons who appreciate animals and/or own domestic pets of all kinds, especially cats and dogs. This text also features a full glossary of medical terms, bibliography, and a quick-find index. The health needs of pet animals have become as complex and specialized as those of humans. Pet owners, veterinarians, and animal lovers alike need authoritative, reliable, and up-to-date information about caring for the health and well-being of pets. The Internet Guide to Pet Health offers a quick, easy, and comprehensive reference to quality Web sites that focus on the health and welfare of animal companions. The Internet Guide to Pet Health will help you pinpoint reliable information on: * the health benefits of pet ownership * diseases transmitted by pets * pet food safety * animal care and welfare societies and organizations * death, dying, and euthanasia * poisons, dangerous situations, and other hazards * spaying and neutering * traveling with pets * pet-specific care for dogs, cats, small animals, and fish * surgery, surgical procedures, and hospitalization * exercise and training * dental care, diet, and nutrition * disabled pets * service and therapy animals * and much, much more! The Internet Guide to Pet Health is an ideal resource for anyone who is directly involved in the lives of pet companions or simply an animal lover. Medical librarians in academic medical centers and teaching hospitals; consumer health and public librarians; veterinarians and veterinary clinic staff; public health personnel; animal trainers; and groomers will also find this to be an invaluable text.

Due to the high degree of biological similarity between primates and humans, monkeys and apes have been used successfully in medical research for many decades. Medical Primatology: History, Biological Foundations and Applications provides a comprehensive summary linking the use of monkeys and apes in biomedical research to their kinship with humans. The book begins by discussing the history of this research, and then focuses on the biological foundations upon which medical primatology has been built. Primate taxonomy and evolution are reviewed, using not only traditional sources of data, but also recent experimental evidence from molecular biology, genetics, and biomedicine that indicates the need to place higher simians in the family of man. Condensing a broad range of scientific literature into one volume, this will be a useful reference for specialists in the biological sciences and medicine, as well as researchers involved in biological, anthropological, biomedical, clinical, and pharmacological research on primates.

To study physiology is to examine how organisms have evolved solutions to the business of living in an inanimate world. Our world is and has always been dominated by physical and chemical forces. A physicist might tell us that all things are physical, while a chemist is more concerned with the elementary nature of reactions. A physical chemist sees the bonds between these views, and a biochemist draws out the organic symphony of the vital pathways. A structural biologist adds shape to the chemical building blocks of life, while a molecular biologist tinkers with these structures.This book is intended as a resource for students and researchers interested in developmental biology and physiology and specifically addresses the larval stages of fish. Fish larvae (and fish embryos) are not small juveniles or adults. Rather they are transitionary organisms that bridge the critical gap between the single-celled egg and sexually immature juvenile. Fish larvae represent the stage of the life cycle that is used for differentiation, feeding and distribution.This book aims at providing a single-volume treatise that explains how fish larvae develop and differentiate, how they regulate salt, water and acid-base balance, how they transport and exchange gases, acquire and utilise energy, how they sense their environment, and move in their aquatic medium, how they control and defend themselves, and finally how they grow up.

The definitive guide to the birds of Chile With its diverse range of habitats, Chile is one of the top birding destinations in South America and supports an interesting range of breeding and visiting birds, including the Chilean Tinamou, Juan Fernandez Firecrown and a number of other endemic species. This comprehensive field guide covers all of the species recorded in Chile, including vagrants; all are illustrated in superb detail, and feature every major plumage variation. Concise species accounts describe key identification features, status, range, habitat and voice, and accurate distribution maps are also provided for every species. Together, these elements make this the essential field guide to the birds of this fascinating and beautiful region.

In response to the general lack of information about zoo libraries, this book, first published in 1988, compiles a collection of descriptions of the libraries serving six American zoos. The accounts of zoo libraries include the National Zoological Park in Washington, DC, the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, and the Minnesota Zoological Garden Library in St. Paul. The contributors detail the types of collections and services offered at zoo libraries. In addition, a survey made of 78 American zoo libraries is included, including information about their staffs, facilities, collections, and services, as well as data on 32 archive collections.

Fishes are by far the most species-rich vertebrate taxon, and it is also the vertebrate group with the most strikingly diverse repertoire of behaviours and behavioural adaptations. As such, they provide us with many opportunities to explore the fascinating complexities of animal behaviour. Central questions addressed in this book include: How do sensory input, hormones, genetics and experience interact to shape individual behaviour? What should a fish do to be in the right place at the right time and how should it behave to be an efficient predator yet not become the subject of predation itself? How to find a mate or to find the best mate? Should all fish do the same, or is the optimal behaviour dependent on individual characteristics? How does reproductive behaviour affect what fish look like, in terms of colour, body form or body size? And how do fish cope with their complex social and biological environment, including parasites, competitors and collaborators? This new book provides an exciting overview of the many new insights offered by recent research on fish behaviour. The chapters are written by prominent international scientists and are aimed not only at fish biology students and researchers but anyone interested in the interplay between behaviour, ecology and evolution.

Drosophila gives an overview of the ways in which Drosophila is currently being used as a model organism to further our understanding of a spectrum of human neurological diseases. Each chapter is written by respected researchers and gives an excellent account of the subject that is suitable for postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers.

Part of the Prentice Hall's Primate Filed Studies series. This text can be used for any undergraduate or graduate course with a primate behavior or primate ecology component. It can also be used as supplemental reading, for any advanced animal behavior class. There are very few books that address the biology of nocturnal primates. There are even fewer that delve with any detail regarding the behavior of specific species. These animals are difficult to follow. Their diminutive size, the thickness of the vegetation, and their nocturnal habits, make the study of their habits a demanding task.Through a trial of patience, Sylvia Atsalis has undertaken this task. Here she provides an in depth view at the life and behavioral patterns of these tiny primates. A Natural History of the Brown Mouse Lemur provides the most complete look at the behavior and ecology of mouse lemurs.