Animal Locomotion


Book Description

The physical principles of swimming and flying in animals are intriguingly different from those of ships and airplanes. The study of animal locomotion therefore holds a special place not only at the frontiers of pure fluid dynamics research, but also in the applied field of biomimetics, which aims to emulate salient aspects of the performance and function of living organisms. For example, fluid dynamic loads are so significant for swimming fish that they are expected to have developed efficient flow control procedures through the evolutionary process of adaptation by natural selection, which might in turn be applied to the design of robotic swimmers. And yet, sharply contrasting views as to the energetic efficiency of oscillatory propulsion – especially for marine animals – demand a careful assessment of the forces and energy expended at realistic Reynolds numbers. For this and many other research questions, an experimental approach is often the most appropriate methodology. This holds as much for flying animals as it does for swimming ones, and similar experimental challenges apply – studying tethered as opposed to free locomotion, or studying the flow around robotic models as opposed to real animals. This book provides a wide-ranging snapshot of the state-of-the-art in experimental research on the physics of swimming and flying animals. The resulting picture reflects not only upon the questions that are of interest in current pure and applied research, but also upon the experimental techniques that are available to answer them.




Heads, Jaws, and Muscles


Book Description

The vertebrate head is the most complex part of the animal body and its diversity in nature reflects a variety of life styles, feeding modes, and ecological adaptations. This book will take you on a journey to discover the origin and diversification of the head, which evolved from a seemingly headless chordate ancestor. Despite their structural diversity, heads develop in a highly conserved fashion in embryos. Major sensory organs like the eyes, ears, nose, and brain develop in close association with surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilages, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Ultimately, this integrated unit of tissues gives rise to the complex functionality of the musculoskeletal system as a result of sensory and neural feedback, most notably in the use of the vertebrate jaws, a major vertebrate innovation only lacking in hagfishes and lampreys. The cranium subsequently further diversified during the major transition from fishes living in an aquatic environment to tetrapods living mostly on land. In this book, experts will join forces to integrate, for the first time, state-of-the-art knowledge on the anatomy, development, function, diversity, and evolution of the head and jaws and their muscles within all major groups of extant vertebrates. Considerations about and comparisons with fossil taxa, including emblematic groups such as the dinosaurs, are also provided in this landmark book, which will be a leading reference for many years to come.










Fish Physiology: Fish Biomechanics


Book Description

The first in two decades to exclusively integrate physiological and biomechanical studies of fish locomotion, feeding and breathing, making this book both comprehensive and unique. Fish Physiology: Fish Biomechanics reviews and integrates recent developments in research on fish biomechanics, with particular emphasis on experimental results derived from the application of innovative new technologies to this area of research, such as high-speed video, sonomicrometry and digital imaging of flow fields. The collective chapters, written by leaders in the field, provide a multidisciplinary view and synthesis of the latest information on feeding mechanics, breathing mechanics, sensory systems, stability and maueverability, skeletal systems, muscle structure and performance, and hydrodynamics of steady and burst swimming, including riverine passage of migratory species. - Book presents concepts in biomechanics, a rapidly expanding area of research - First volume in over twenty years on this subject - Multi-author volume with contributions by leaders in the field - Clear explanations of basic biomechanical principles used in fish research - Well illustrated with summary figures and explanatory color diagrams




Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding


Book Description

Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding: Assessment and Management, Third Edition provides information to practitioners interested in and involved with children who demonstrate swallowing and feeding disorders. Since the 2002 publication of the second edition, there has been an exponential increase in the number of medically fragile and complex children with swallowing/feeding disorders. A corresponding proliferation in the related basic and clinical research has resulted in the increased appreciation of the complicated inter-relationships between structures and systems that contribute to swallowing/feeding development, function, and disorders. Case studies throughout the book provide examples for decision making and highlight salient points. New to the Third Edition: * Maureen A. Lefton-Greif, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is welcomed as co-editor. She brings extensive research expertise and clinical practice in pediatric dysphagia and feeding. * All chapters contain significant updated evidence-based research and clinical information. * New chapters focus on the genetic testing and conditions associated with swallowing and feeding disorders, and the pulmonary manifestations and management of aspiration. * World Health Organization (WHO) description of an International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) sets the stage for an in-depth discussion of clinical feeding evaluation procedures, interpretation, and management decision making. Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding continues to be the leading text on pediatric dysphagia that provides practical information for clinicians seeing children with swallowing and feeding disorders. The overall importance of an appropriate fund of knowledge and shared experience employing team approaches is emphasized throughout this third edition as in the earlier editions of this book. From the Foreword: "The Editors have recognized the advances and changes in the understanding in the information now available for the care of pediatric swallowing and feeding challenges. They have recruited an outstanding group of contributors for this newest edition. There are numerous critically important updates and additions in the third edition. They have included World Health Organizations International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health is the functional basis in all areas of the book. This text has its importance as there has been an increased number of children with complex medical and healthcare conditions which are risk for feeding and swallowing disorders. This edition stresses the need for team approaches and also documents the use of “virtual” teams ...Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding: Assessment and Management, Third Edition is the fundamental holistic source for all healthcare providers providing the care for swallowing and feeding in children. This book will be utilized by all caring for children with feeding and swallowing problems throughout the world. The previous editions have been and now this updated third edition continues to be the standard source for the information concerning diagnosis and care of these children." —Robert J. Ruben, MD, FAAP, FACS Distinguished University Professor Departments of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatrics Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, New York




Feeding in Vertebrates


Book Description

This book provides students and researchers with reviews of biological questions related to the evolution of feeding by vertebrates in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Based on recent technical developments and novel conceptual approaches, the book covers functional questions on trophic behavior in nearly all vertebrate groups including jawless fishes. The book describes mechanisms and theories for understanding the relationships between feeding structure and feeding behavior. Finally, the book demonstrates the importance of adopting an integrative approach to the trophic system in order to understand evolutionary mechanisms across the biodiversity of vertebrates.







Evolution and Development of Fishes


Book Description

World-class palaeontologists and biologists summarise the state-of-the-art on fish evolution and development.