Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology: From Genome to Environment

Fish form an extremely diverse group of vertebrates. At a conservative estimate at least 40% of the world's vertebrates are fish. On the one hand they are united by their adaptations to an aquatic environment and on the other they show a variety of adaptations to differing environmental conditions - often to extremes of temperature, salinity, oxygen level and water chemistry. They exhibit an array of behavioural and reproductive systems. Interesting in their own right, this suite of adaptive physiologies provides many model systems for both comparative vertebrate and human physiologists.This four volume encyclopedia covers the diversity of fish physiology in over 300 articles and provides entry level information for students and summary overviews for researchers alike.Broadly organised into four themes, articles cover Functional, Thematic, and Phylogenetic Physiology, and Fish Genomics.Functional articles address the traditional aspects of fish physiology that are common to all areas of vertebrate physiology including: Reproduction, Respiration, Neural (Sensory, Central, Effector), Endocrinology, Renal, Cardiovascular, Acid-base Balance, Osmoregulation, Ionoregulation, Digestion, Metabolism, Locomotion, and so on.Thematic Physiology articles are carefully selected and fewer in number. They provide a level of integration that goes beyond the coverage in the Functional Physiology topics and include discussions of Toxicology, Air-breathing, Migrations, Temperature, Endothermy, etc.Phylogenetic Physiology articles bring together information that bridges the physiology of certain groupings of fishes where the knowledge base has a sufficient depth and breadth and include articles on Ancient Fishes, Tunas, Sharks, etc.Genomics articles describe the underlying genetic component of fish physiology and high light their suitability and use as model organisms for the study of disease, stress and physiological adaptations and reactions to external conditions.

Table of Contents:
Volume 1 THE SENSES, SUPPORTING TISSUES, REPRODUCTION, AND BEHAVIOR Sensing the Environment: Brain and Nervous System Vision Smell, Taste, and Chemical Sensing Hearing and Lateral Line Detection and Generation of Electric Signals Muscles, Skeleton, Skin, and Movement: The Skeleton The Muscles The Skin Buoyancy, Locomotion, and Movement in Fishes Reproduction: The Reproductive Organs and Processes Behavior and Physiology: Social and Reproductive Behaviors Sensory Systems, Perception, and Learning Behavioral Responses to the Environment Volume 2: GAS EXCHANGE, INTERNAL HOMEOSTATIS, AND FOOD UPTAKE Gas Exchange: Ventilation and Animal Respiration Control of Respiration Transport and Exchange of Respiratory Gases in the Blood Tissue Respiration Tissue Respiration: Blood Design and Physiology of the Heart Design and Physiology of Arteries and Veins Design and Physiology of Capillaries and Secondary Circulation Integrated Control and Response of the Circulatory System The Gut: Gut Anatomy and Morphology Integrated Function and Control of the Gut Osmotic, Ionic and Nitrogenous-Waste Balance Role of the Gills Role of the Kidneys Role of the Gut Nitrogenous-Waste Balance Hormonal Controls: The Pituitary Hormonal Control of Metabolism and Ionic Regulation Hormonal Control of Reproduction and Growth Hormonal Responses to Stress Volume 3: ENERGETICS, INTERACTIONS WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, LIFESTYLES, AND APPLICATIONS ENERGETICS: Food Acquisition and Digestion Energy Utilization in Growth Swimming and Other Activities Energetic Models Responses and Adaptations to the Environment: Temperature Hypoxia Physiological Specializations of Different Fish Groups: Hagfishes and Lamprey Sturgeon Bony Fishes Air-Breathing Fishes Pelagic Fishes Fish Migrations Deep-Sea Fishes Intertidal Fishes Applied Aspects of Fish Physiology: Cellular, Molecular, Genomics, and Biomedical Approaches Toxicology Aquaculture