Homeostasis and Toxicology of Essential Metals synthesizes the explosion of new information on the molecular, cellular, and organismal handling of metals in fish in the past 15 years. These elements are no longer viewed by fish physiologists as "heavy metals" that kill fish by suffocation, but rather as interesting moieties that enter and leave fish by specific pathways, which are subject to physiological regulation. The metals featured in this volume are those about which there has been most public and scientific concern, and therefore are those most widely studied by fish researchers. Metals such as Cu, Zn, Fe, Ni, Co, Se, Mo and Cr are either proven to be or are strongly suspected to be essential in trace amounts, yet are toxic in higher doses. The companion volume, Homeostasis and Toxicology of Non-Essential Metals, Volume 31B, covers metals that have no known nutritive function in fish at present, but which are toxic at fairly low levels, such as Ag, Al, Cd, Pb, Hg, As, Sr, and U. In addition, three chapters in Volumes 31A and 31B on Basic Principles (Chapter 1, 31A), Field Studies and Ecological Integration (Chapter 9, 31A) and Modeling the Physiology and Toxicology of Metals (Chapter 9, 31B) act as integrative summaries and make these two volumes a vital set for readers. All major essential metals of interest are covered in metal-specific chapters Each metal-specific chapter is written by fish physiologists/toxicologists who are recognized authorities for that metal A common format is featured throughout this two volume edition

This book is designed as both a reference and a handbook for the study of fishes. It is a source of methods commonly used to research fish genetics, systematics, anatomy, physiology, developmental biology, toxicology, behavior, and ecology. Standard methods and their theoretical framework are presented for all these fields. Each of the book's 20 chapters also contains a background literature review which, though not exhaustive, allows readers to delve more deeply into subjects that particularly interest them. The main emphasis is on methodology, but the pros and cons of alternative procedures also are treated, as are the uses and misuses of data generated by the techniques.

This cutting-edge resource includes up-to-date information on zebrafish physiology and the tools used to study it, not only as a model species for studies of other vertebrates but with application for studies of human disease and aquatic toxicology. The utility of zebrafish for physiological research is based on several key features including i) a "fully" sequenced genome, ii) rapid (~3 month) generation times), iii) their capacity to produce large numbers of externally fertilized eggs, iv) optical transparency of embryos and larvae, and v) the applicability of reverse and forward genetics to assess gene function. Gene knockdown in embryos and the production of transgenic strains are now standard techniques being used to assess physiology. This book will be of keen interest not only to the typical readers of Fish Physiology but also to biomedical researchers, toxicologists and developmental biologists. - Integrates and synthesizes the biology of the zebrafish under one cover - Features contributions from the leading researchers in their fields - Reaches a wider audience of researchers and biologists with its broad inclusion of subjects relating to zebrafish physiology

The Multifunctional Gut of Fish provides a comprehensive synthesis and an integrative overview of the range of gut functions and their implications for organismal physiology. The highly diversified anatomy and functions of the gut, including nutrient uptake, immune barrier function, salt and water homeostasis and respiration, as well as neuroendocrine actions and control are covered in detail by leading authors. In addition, this volume explores the pronounced implications of gut function for whole animal integrative physiology and compensatory demands for non-gastrointestinal organs. As the first comprehensive reference to discuss the diverse morphological and functional adaptations of the gut, this volume provides an excellent resource for comparative physiologists, aquaculturists and biomedical researchers employing fish as model organisms for mammalian physiology. - Includes chapters dedicated to anatomical and functional features of the gastro-intestinal tract of fish as well as integrative aspects of gut organ function - Includes in depth coverage of recently recognized implications of feeding on salt homeostasis and acid-base balance - Provides syntheses of implications of gut function for homeostasis - Essential text for those interested in the wide diversity of functions performed by the gut

Biology of Stress in Fish: Fish Physiology provides a general understanding on the topic of stress biology, including most of the recent advances in the field. The book starts with a general discussion of stress, providing answers to issues such as its definition, the nature of the physiological stress response, and the factors that affect the stress response. It also considers the biotic and abiotic factors that cause variation in the stress response, how the stress response is generated and controlled, its effect on physiological and organismic function and performance, and applied assessment of stress, animal welfare, and stress as related to model species. - Provides the definitive reference on stress in fish as written by world-renowned experts in the field - Includes the most recent advances and up-to-date thinking about the causes of stress in fish, their implications, and how to minimize the negative effects - Considers the biotic and abiotic factors that cause variation in the stress response