Biology of Fishes (Tertiary Level Biology) - Tapa dura

This book, the first edition of which was published in 1982, has been largely rewritten with many new figures, to take account of recent information resulting from the huge rate of publication of scientific papers and books on fishes. As an example, the continuing series "Fish Physiology" (Academic Press) has just reached its 12th volume, covering in two parts only the cardio-vascular systems of fishes. The original authors, Q. Bone and N.B. Marshall, invited J.H.S. Blaxter to help widen the expertise on fish reproduction, behaviour and exploita­ tion, leading to new chapters on behaviour, fisheries and aquaculture. A chapter on endocrines has been added and earlier chapters have been brought up-to-date. We have chosen those topics which seem to us to be most useful and interesting, inevitably reflecting our own fields of interest. We have, however, tried to make the bibliography sufficiently wide­ ranging for the reader to find an introduction to those topics not covered, and to be able to enjoy further forays into those that are. Fish are the most varied and abundant of vertebrates and the commercial and sport fisheries are of great economic importance. Fish stocks are not vulnerable to drought, as are so many terrestrial sources of protein, but they are highly vulnerable to pollution and overfishing. At least 80% of fish are caught by hunting and this proportion is unlikely to fall; many stocks are shared and lead to political decision-making about management.

Fishes form the largest group of vertebrates, with around 20,000 known species, and they display a remarkable diversity of size, shape, internal structure and ecology to cope with environments ranging from transient puddles to the abyssal depths of the sea. Life in water leads to particular problems for body fluid regulation, locomotion and sensory systems, and these have been resolved in the most ingenious ways. This book, the first edition of which was published in 1982, has been largely rewritten to take account of recent information resulting from the huge rate of publication of scientific papers and books on fishes. Chapters on behaviour and on fisheries and aquaculture. A chapter on endocrines has also been added and all other chapters have been brought entirity up-to-date. The second edition includes a large number of illustrations. This is a textbook for students of fish biology and any of the branches of aquatic biology. Given its combination of breadth and detail, the book also provides a manageable review of fish biology for experienced biologists. Its wide-ranging bibliography is a special feature of the second edition.