The Control of Chromatophores focuses on the color changes in animals, particularly among the invertebrates. Cells containing pigment that can disperse or concentrate, thereby changing the tint of the organism in which they lie, are known as chromatophores. Well-developed, functional chromatophore systems are common among cephalopods, crustaceans, and poikilotherm vertebrates. Rare instances are found among other groups such as annelids, echinoderms, and insects. After an introduction to the types, chemistry, and functional significance of chromatophores, this text concentrates on the chromatophores of crustaceans, insects, cephalopods, echinoderms, and vertebrates. This book is recommended for students and biologists conducting work on chromatophores and color changes.

A fully updated overview of the causation, function, development and evolution of cephalopod behaviour, richly illustrated in full colour.

Atlas of Comparative Vertebrate Histology looks at the histology of a wide range of vertebrates, representative of all the major classes and families, with examples ranging from amphioxus to primates. The authors focus their microscope on commonly seen vertebrates as well as 'non-standard' species, such as lamprey, hagfish, dogfish, skate, rock bass, cod, river catfish, toad, amphiuma, leopard and bull frog, garter and brown snake, Coturnix quail and cowbird. The study of comparative histology in the vertebrates helps students and researchers alike understand how various groups have addressed similar problems, opening doors to interesting research possibilities. Not all vertebrates follow the mammalian model of tissue and organ structure. When dealing with unique species, we see some structures taken beyond their 'normal' function. Comparative histology allows us to understand the structural responses underlying the physiology unique to each vertebrate group. - Presents the histology of a wide range of vertebrates, representative of all the major classes and families, with examples ranging from amphioxus to primates - Includes an image gallery with over 500 flat images and 50+ virtual microscopy slides - Contains electronic content features cross linking between text, tables and the image gallery

The most comprehensive and integrated book on pigmentation The Pigmentary System, Second Edition, gathers into one convenient, all-inclusive volume a wealth of information about the science of pigmentation and all the common and rare clinical disorders that affect skin color. The two parts, physiology (science) and pathophysiology (clinical disorders), are complementary and annotated so that those reading one part can easily refer to relevant sections in the other. For the clinician interested in common or rare pigment disorders or the principles of teaching about such disorders, this book provides an immediate and complete resource on the biologic bases for these disorders. For the scientist studying the biology of melanocyte function, the book provides a list of disorders that are related to basic biological functions of melanocytes. New features of this Second Edition include: Completely new section on the basic science of pigmentation – explaining the integration of melanocyte functions with other epidermal cells and with various organ systems like the immune system New chapters on pigmentary disorders related to intestinal diseases, the malignant melanocyte, benign proliferations of melanocytes (nevi) and phototherapy with narrow band UV All clinical chapters include the latest genetic findings and advances in therapy More than 400 color images of virtually all clinical disorders The book is ideal for all dermatologists and especially those interested in disorders of pigmentation. It is of particular use for pediatric dermatologists and medical geneticists caring for patients with congenital and genetic pigmentary disorders. This authoritative volume will fill the gap for dermatology training programs that do not have local experts on pigmentation. Basic and cosmetic scientists studying pigmentation and melanocytes will find the science and clinical correlations very useful in showing human significance and relevance to the results of their studies.

This 1999 edition of The Neural Crest contains comprehensive information about the neural crest, a structure unique to the vertebrate embryo, which has only a transient existence in early embryonic life. The ontogeny of the neural crest embodies the most important issues in developmental biology, as the neural crest is considered to have played a crucial role in evolution of the vertebrate phylum. Data that analyse neural crest ontogeny in murine and zebrafish embryos have been included in this revision. This revised edition also takes advantage of recent advances in our understanding of markers of neural crest cell subpopulations, and a full chapter is now devoted to cell lineage analysis. The major research breakthrough since the first edition has been the introduction of molecular biology to neural crest research, enabling an elucidation of many molecular mechanisms of neural crest development. This book is essential reading for students and researchers in developmental biology, cell biology, and neuroscience.