Biology of Subterranean Fishes

Biology of Subterranean Fishes
Author: Eleonora Trajano
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 496
Release: 2010-05-20
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1439840482

In most habitats, adaptations are the single most obvious aspects of an organism's phenotype. However, the most obvious feature of many subterranean animals are losses, not adaptations. Even Darwin saw subterranean animals as degenerates: examples of eyelessness and loss of structure in general. For him, the explanation was a straightforward Lamarc

Sexuality in Fishes

Sexuality in Fishes
Author: T. J. Pandian
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 202
Release: 2010-09-15
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1439846693

The unprecedented level of diversity recorded among the clones of self-fertilizing gynogenetic unisexuals and self-fertilizing simultaneous hermaphrodites challenges current ideas on the predominant role of recombination in promoting evolution of biological diversity. Though limited to a few species, the existence of self-fertilizing and cycli

Shallow Subterranean Habitats

Shallow Subterranean Habitats
Author: David C. Culver
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2014-06-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0191019984

Shallow subterranean habitats (SSHs) are areas of habitable space that are less than 10 m in depth from the surface. These range from large areas such as shallow caves and lava tubes, to tiny areas such as cracks in ceilings, or spaces in soil. Whilst being very different in many ways, they are often bound together by shared characteristics of the habitats and their faunas, and their study can help us to understand subterranean habitats in general. This book concentrates on the more typical SSHs of intermediate size (seepage springs, spaces between rocks, cracks in lava etc.), describing the habitats, their fauna, and the ecological and evolutionary questions posed. Similarities and differences between the habitats are considered and discussed in a broader ecological and evolutionary context. The book is mainly aimed at students and researchers in the field of subterranean biology, but will also be of interest to a wider range of ecologists, evolutionary biologists, freshwater biologists, and conservationists. There will also be an audience of environmental professionals.

Cave Biology

Cave Biology
Author: Aldemaro Romero Díaz
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 318
Release: 2009-07-23
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0521828465

A critical examination of current knowledge and ideas on cave biology, with emphasis on evolution, ecology, and conservation.

Cave Biodiversity

Cave Biodiversity
Author: J. Judson Wynne
Publisher: JHU Press
Total Pages: 353
Release: 2022-11-15
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1421444585

A deep-dive into the evolutionary biology, biogeography, and conservation of the most elusive subterranean creatures in the world. Far from the austere, sparsely populated ecosystems often conjured in the imagination, caves host some of the most mysterious and biodiverse natural systems in the world. Subterranean environments, however, are the least explored terrestrial habitats, contributing to misconceptions about their inhabitants. Edited by cave scientist and conservation ecologist Dr. J. Judson Wynne, Cave Biodiversity explores both the evolution and the conservation of subterrestrial-dwelling fauna. Covering both vertebrates and invertebrates, including mollusks, fishes, amphibians, arthropods, and other troglobionts, this volume brings together ichthyologists, entomologists, ecologists, herpetologists, and conservationists to provide a nuanced picture of life beneath the earth's surface. Broad chapters covering biotic and abiotic factors that influence evolution and support biodiversity precede chapters dedicated to specific taxa, highlighting phylogenetics and morphology, and delving into zoogeography, habitat, ecology, and dispersal mechanisms for each. Considerations for conservation of these fascinating, often bizarre, and often highly sensitive subterranean creatures are emphasized throughout. Cave Biodiversity aims to synthesize the principles of subterranean evolutionary biology and diversity through in-depth case studies of some of the most captivating and imperiled taxonomic groups in the world. Employing a multidisciplinary approach involving systematics, genetics, ecology, biogeography, evolutionary biology, and conservation science, Cave Biodiversity will be of keen interest to evolutionary biologists, ecologists, conservation biologists, and cave scientists, as well as advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Contributors: Maria E. Bichuette, Evin T. Carter, Prosanta Chakrabarty, Kenneth James Chapin, Danté B. Fenolio, Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Jozef Grego, Francis G. Howarth, Leonardo Latella, Matthew L. Niemiller, Karen A. Ober, T. Keith Philips, John G. Phillips, Stuart Pimm, Daphne Soares, J. Judson Wynne, and Yahui Zhao.

Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish

Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish
Author: Alex Keene
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 419
Release: 2015-10-12
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0128023651

Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish features contributions by leading researchers in a comprehensive, unique work that examines a number of distinct areas of biology—evolution, development, ecology, and behavior—using the Mexican cavefish as a powerful model system to further understanding of basic biological processes such as eye degeneration, hearing, craniofacial development, sleep, and metabolic function. These fish are currently being used to better understand a number of issues related to human health, including age-related blindness, sleep, obesity, mood-related disorders, and aging. The recent sequencing of the cavefish genome broadens the interest of this system to groups working with diverse biological systems, and has helped researchers identify genes that regulate sleep, eye degeneration, and metabolic function. Mexican cavefish are particularly powerful for the study of biological processes because these fish evolved independently in twenty-nine caves in the Sierra de el Abra Region of Northeast Mexico. These fish have dramatic adaptations to the cave environment, and this can be used to identify genes involved in disease-related traits. This scholarly text will be of interest to researchers and students throughout diverse areas of biology and ecology. It includes photographs of animals and behavior in laboratory and natural settings that will also increase interest and accessibility to non-experts. - Includes a mixture of images and illustrations such as the geographical distribution of cave pools and the developmental biology of the nervous system - Features a companion site with geographical maps - Fills a notable gap in the literature on a topic of broad interest to the scientific community - Presents the recent sequencing of the cavefish genome as a groundbreaking development for researchers working with diverse biological systems

Ecological and Environmental Physiology of Fishes

Ecological and Environmental Physiology of Fishes
Author: F. Brian Eddy
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 264
Release: 2012-05-03
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0199540942

Fish have evolved to colonise almost every type of aquatic habitat and today they are a hugely diverse group of over 25,000 species. This title presents a current and comprehensive overview of fish physiology to demonstrate how living fish function in their environment.

Extremophile Fishes

Extremophile Fishes
Author: Rüdiger Riesch
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 329
Release: 2015-01-24
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3319133624

This book summarizes the key adaptations enabling extremophile fishes to survive under harsh environmental conditions. It reviews the most recent research on acidic, Antarctic, cave, desert, hypersaline, hypoxic, temporary, and fast-flowing habitats, as well as naturally and anthropogenically toxic waters, while pointing out generalities that are evident across different study systems. Knowledge of the different adaptations that allow fish to cope with stressful environmental conditions furthers our understanding of basic physiological, ecological, and evolutionary principles. In several cases, evidence is provided for how the adaptation to extreme environments promotes the emergence of new species. Furthermore, a link is made to conservation biology, and how human activities have exacerbated existing extreme environments and created new ones. The book concludes with a discussion of major open questions in our understanding of the ecology and evolution of life in extreme environments.

Encyclopedia of Caves

Encyclopedia of Caves
Author: William B. White
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 1260
Release: 2019-05-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0128141255

Encyclopedia of Caves, Third Edition, provides detailed background information to anyone with a serious interest in caves. This includes students, both undergraduate and graduate, in the earth, biological and environmental sciences, and consultants, environmental scientists, land managers and government agency staff whose work requires them to know something about caves and the biota that inhabit them. Caves touch on many scientific interests in geology, climate science, biology, hydrology, archaeology, and paleontology, as well as more popular interests in sport caving and cave exploration. Case studies and descriptions of specific caves selected for their special features and public interest are also included. This book will appeal to these audiences by providing in-depth essays written by expert authors chosen for their expertise in their assigned subject. - Features 14 new chapters and 13 completely rewritten chapters - Contains beautifully illustrated content, with more than 500 color images of cave life and features - Provides extensive bibliographies that allow readers to access their subject of interest in greater depth