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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Zoology & animal sciences
What arachnologist worth his salt could forget the arachnid with a
two-foot legspan? The Order Amblypygi not only contains world
record species, but also some of the most improbable and
unbelievable looking members of the Class Arachnida. Otherwise
known as whipspiders, these creatures appear to have been formed in
the deep recesses of a human nightmare, and yet are the only large
arachnids that are entirely harmless to humans. Predatory
whipspiders display advanced social behaviors and externally
visible reproductive biology of immense complexity. This text
presents cutting edge biological details, supporting Scanning
Electron Micrographs, and unparalleled captive reproduction
information with photographic documentation.
How do genes determine behavior? How much of behavior is nature
versus nurture? How do behaviors evolve? Anholt and Mackay, leading
scholars in the field of behavioral genetics, address these
questions and much more in this comprehensive textbook that defines
the emerging field of behavioral genetics. The provides a range of
examples, such as laboratory studies on flies and mice, field
observations on species as diverse as butterflies and meerkats, and
human behavioral disorders. The book blends classical and modern
genetic principles with neurobiological and ecological perspectives
to teach students how to find and map genes that affect behaviors,
as well as how the coordinated expression of ensembles of these
genes enables the nervous system to express complex behaviors in
response to changes in the environment. Principles of Behavioral
Genetics introduces us to the fascinating science that aims to
understand how our genes determine what makes us tick.
Principles of Behavioral Genetics presents a comprehensive overview
of the relationship between genes, brain and behavior. Introductory
chapters provide clear explanations of basic processes of the
nervous system and fundamental principles of genetics of complex
traits without excessive statistical jargon. Individual chapters
describe the genetics of social interactions, olfaction and taste,
memory and learning, circadian behavior, locomotion, sleep, and
addiction, as well as the evolution of behavior. Whereas the focus
is on genetics, neurobiological and ecological aspects are also
included to provide intellectual breadth. The book uses examples
that span the gamut from classical model organisms to non-model
systems and human biology, and include both laboratory and field
studies. Samples of historical information accentuate the text to
provide the reader with an appreciation of the history of the
field. All chapters contain general overviews, concise summaries,
study questions that promote not only memorization but also
contemplation of the material, and recommendations for further
in-depth reading. An extensive glossary that defines the
terminology used in the book is included. This textbook encompasses
a broad definition of the emerging science of behavioral genetics.
* Defines the emerging science of behavioral genetics
* Engagingly written by two leading experts in behavioral
genetics
* Clear explanations of basic quantitative genetic, neurogenetic
and genomic applications to the study of behavior
* Numerous examples ranging from model organisms to non-model
systems and humans
* Concise overviews and summaries for each chapter
Most projects in Landscape Ecology, at some point, define a
species-habitat association. These models are inherently spatial,
dealing with landscapes and their configurations. Whether coding
behavioral rules for dispersal of simulated organisms through
simulated landscapes, or designing the sampling extent of field
surveys and experiments in real landscapes, landscape ecologists
must make assumptions about how organisms experience and utilize
the landscape. These convenient working postulates allow modelers
to project the model in time and space, yet rarely are they
explicitly considered. The early years of landscape ecology
necessarily focused on the evolution of effective data sources,
metrics, and statistical approaches that could truly capture the
spatial and temporal patterns and processes of interest. Now that
these tools are well established, we reflect on the ecological
theories that underpin the assumptions commonly made during species
distribution modeling and mapping. This is crucial for applying
models to questions of global sustainability.
Due to the inherent use of GIS for much of this kind of
research, and as several authors research involves the production
of multicolored map figures, there would be an 8-page color insert.
Additional color figures could be made available through a digital
archive, or by cost contributions of the chapter authors. Where
applicable, would be relevant chapters GIS data and model code
available through a digital archive. The practice of data and code
sharing is becoming standard in GIS studies, is an inherent method
of this book, and will serve to add additional research value to
the book for both academic and practitioner audiences."
This volume reviews the historical roots and theoretical
foundations of biological systematics in an approachable text. The
author outlines the structure and main tasks of systematics.
Conceptual history is characterized as a succession of scientific
revolutions. The philosophical foundations of systematic research
are briefly reviewed as well as the structure and content of
taxonomic theories. Most important research programs in systematics
are outlined. The book includes analysis of the principal
problematic issues as "scientific puzzles" in systematics. This
volume is intended for professional taxonomists, biologists of
various specialties, students, as well as all those interested in
the history and theory of biology and natural sciences. Key
Features Considers the conceptual history of systematics as the
framework of evolutionary epistemology Builds a hierarchically
organized quasi-axiomatic system of taxonomic theory Contends that
more reductionist taxonomic concepts are less objective Supports
taxonomic pluralism by non-classic philosophy of science as a
normal condition of systematics Documents that "taxonomic puzzles"
result from conflict between monistic and pluralistic attitudes
Related Titles de Queiroz, K. et al., eds. Phylonyms: A Companion
to the PhyloCode (ISBN 978-1-1383-3293-5) Sigwart, J. D. What
Species Mean: A User's Guide to the Units of Biodiversity (ISBN
978-1-4987-9937-9) Rieppel, O. Phylogenetic Systematics: Haeckel to
Hennig (ISBN 978-1-4987-5488-0) Wilkins, J. S. Species: The
Evolution of the Idea, 2nd ed. (ISBN 978-1-1380-5574-2)
Although scientists have discovered many fundamental physiological
and behavioral mechanisms that comprise the stress response, most
of current knowledge is based on laboratory experiments using
domesticated or captive animals. Scientists are only beginning,
however, to understand how stress impacts wild animals - by
studying the nature of the stressful stimuli that animals in their
natural environments have adapted to for survival, and what the
mechanisms that allow that survival might be. This book summarizes,
for the first time, several decades of work on understanding stress
in natural contexts. The aim is two-fold. The first goal of this
work is to place modern stress research into an evolutionary
context. The stress response clearly did not evolve to cause
disease, so that studying how animals use the stress response to
survive in the wild should provide insight into why mechanisms
evolved the way that they did. The second goal is to provide
predictions on how wild animals might cope with the Anthropocene,
the current period of Earth's history characterized by the massive
human remodeling of habitats on a global scale. Conservation of
species will rely upon how wild animals use their stress response
to successfully cope with human-created stressors.
Regulatory Mechanisms in Transcriptional Signaling, volume of
Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science, includes
in-depth discussion on
roles of Chromatin remodeling proteins in nuclear receptor
signaling, and ANCCA regulator in cancer.
This important resource, edited by Dr. Debabrata (Debu)
Chakravarti, offers research on the progesterone receptor action in
leiomyoma and endometrial cancer and emerging roles of the
ubiquitin protein system in nuclear hormone receptor signaling, in
order to provide the reader with expert discussions of up-to-date
research.
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