The new and updated edition of this accessible text provides a comprehensive overview of the comparative physiology of animals within an environmental context.
- Includes two brand new chapters on Nerves and Muscles and the Endocrine System.
- Discusses both comparative systems physiology and environmental physiology.
- Analyses and integrates problems and adaptations for each kind of environment: marine, seashore and estuary, freshwater, terrestrial and parasitic.
- Examines mechanisms and responses beyond physiology.
- Applies an evolutionary perspective to the analysis of environmental adaptation.
- Provides modern molecular biology insights into the mechanistic basis of adaptation, and takes the level of analysis beyond the cell to the membrane, enzyme and gene.
- Incorporates more varied material from a wide range of animal types, with less of a focus purely on terrestrial reptiles, birds and mammals and rather more about the spectacularly successful strategies of invertebrates.
A companion site for this book with artwork for downloading is available at: www.blackwellpublishing.com/willmer/
Table of Contents:
Preface To Second Edition. Preface To First Edition.
Acknowledgments.
Abbreviations.
Part I: Basic Principles:.
1. The Nature And Levels Of Adaptation:.
Introduction: Comparative, Environmental, And Evolutionary Physiology.
The Meaning Of ‘Environment'.
The Meaning Of ‘Adaptation’.
Comparative Methods To Detect Adaptation.
Physiological Response On Different Scales.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
2. Fundamental Mechanisms Of Adaptation:.
Introduction: Adaptation At The Molecular And Genome Level.
Controlling Protein Action.
Control Of Protein Synthesis And Degradation.
Protein Evolution.
Physiological Regulation Of Gene Expression.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
3. The Problems Of Size And Scale:.
Introduction.
Principle Of Similarity: Isometric Scaling.
Allometric Scaling.
The Scaling Of Metabolic Rate.
Scaling Of Locomotion.
Conclusions: Is There A Right Size To Be?.
Further Reading.
Part II: Central Issues In Comparative Physiology:.
4. Water, Ions, And Osmotic Physiology:.
Introduction.
Aqueous Solutions.
Passive Movements Of Water And Solutes.
Nonpassive Solute Movements.
Concentrations Of Cell Contents.
Overall Regulation Of Cell Contents.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
5. Animal Water Balance, Osmoregulation, And Excretion:.
Introduction.
Exchanges Occurring At The Outer Body Surface.
Osmoregulation At External Surfaces.
Osmoregulatory Organs And Their Excretory Products.
Water Regulation Via The Gut.
Regulation Of Respiratory Water Exchanges.
Water Loss In Reproductive Systems.
Water Gain.
The Costs And Energetics Of Regulating Water And Ion Balance.
Roles Of Nervous Systems And Hormones.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
6. Metabolism And Energy Supply:.
Introduction.
Metabolic Intermediaries.
Anaerobic Metabolism.
Aerobic Metabolism.
Metabolic Rates.
Energy Budgets.
Further Reading.
7. Respiration And Circulation:.
Introduction.
Uptake And Loss Of Gases Across Respiratory Surfaces.
Ventilation Systems To Improve Exchange Rates.
Circulatory Systems.
Delivering And Transferring Gases To The Tissues.
Coping With Hypoxia And Anoxia.
Control Of Respiration.
Further Reading.
8. Temperature And Its Effects:.
Introduction.
Biochemical Effects Of Temperature.
Physiological Effects Of Temperature.
Terminology And Strategies In Thermal Biology.
Thermal Environments And Thermal Exchanges.
Avoidance, Tolerance, And Acclimation In Thermal Biology.
Regulating Heat Gain And Keeping Warm.
Regulating Heat Loss And Keeping Cool.
Opting Out: Evasion Systems In Space Or Time.
Regulating Thermal Biology: Nerves And Hormones.
Evolution And Advantages Of Varying Thermal Strategies.
Further Reading.
9. Excitable Tissues Nervous Systems And Muscles:.
Introduction.
Section 1: Nerves.
Neural Functioning.
Synaptic Transmission.
Nervous Systems.
Neural Integration And Higher Neural Processes.
Neuronal Development.
Sensory Systems – Mechanisms And Principles.
Specific Senses And Sense Organs.
Section 2: Muscles.
Muscles And Movement: Introduction.
Muscle Structure.
Muscle Contraction.
Muscle Mechanics.
Muscle Types And Diversity.
Section 3: Nerves And Muscles Working Together.
Motor Activity Patterns.
Locomotion Using Muscles.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
10. Hormones And Chemical Control Systems:.
Introduction.
Endocrine Systems.
Control Of Water And Osmotic Balance.
Control Of Ion Balance And pH.
Control Of Development And Growth.
Control Of Metabolism, Temperature, And Color.
Control Of Sex And Reproduction.
Hormones And Other Behaviors; Aggression, Territoriality, And Migration.
Pheromones And The Control Of Behavior.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
Part III: Coping With The Environment:.
Introduction.
11. Marine Life:.
Introduction: Marine Habitats And Biota.
Ionic And Osmotic Adaptation.
Thermal Adaptation.
Respiratory Adaptation.
Reproductive And Life-Cycle Adaptation.
Depth Problems, Buoyancy, And Locomotion.
Sensory Issues: Marine Signaling.
Feeding And Being Fed On.
Anthropogenic Problems.
Secondary Invasion Of The Seas: Marine Vertebrates.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
12. Shorelines And Estuaries:.
Introduction: Brackish Habitats And Biota.
Ionic And Osmotic Adaptation And Water Balance.
Thermal Adaptation.
Respiratory Adaptation.
Reproductive And Life-Cycle Adaptation.
Mechanical, Locomotory, And Sensory Systems.
Feeding And Being Fed On.
Anthropogenic Problems.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
13. Fresh Water:.
Introduction: Freshwater Habitats And Biota.
Osmotic And Ionic Adaptation And Water Balance.
Thermal Adaptation.
Respiratory Adaptation.
Reproductive And Life-Cycle Adaptation.
Mechanical, Locomotory, And Sensory Adaptations.
Feeding And Being Fed On.
Anthropogenic Problems.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
14. Special Aquatic Habitats:.
Introduction.
Transient Water Bodies.
Osmotically Peculiar Habitats.
Thermally Extreme Waters.
Further Reading.
15. Terrestrial Life:.
Introduction.
Ionic And Osmotic Adaptation And Water Balance.
Thermal Adaptation.
Respiratory Adaptation.
Reproductive And Life-Cycle Adaptation.
Locomotion And Mechanical Adaptations.
Sensory Adaptations.
Feeding And Being Fed On.
Anthropogenic Problems.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
16. Extreme Terrestrial Habitats:.
Introduction.
Hot And Dry Habitats: Deserts.
Very Cold Habitats.
High-Altitude Habitats.
Aerial Habitats.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
17. Parasitic Habitats:.
Introduction.
Parasite Environments.
Basic Parasite Physiology.
Reproduction And Transmission.
Parasite Sensory Abilities.
Parasite Regulation Of Host Physiology.
Biotic Interactions: Host–Parasite Conflicts.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
References.
Index
