Spiders and Other Invertebrates


Book Description

Describes how spiders and other invertebrates adapt to their environment and looks at examples of invertebrates that are dying out.




Predators and Parasitoids


Book Description

Their natural enemies largely determine the population size and dynamic behavior of many plant-eating insects. Any reduction in enemy number can result in an insect outbreak. Applied biological control is thus one strategy for restoring functional biodiversity in many agroecosystems. Predators and Parasitoids addresses the role of natural enemies i




The Invertebrates


Book Description

The majority of undergraduate texts in invertebrate zoology (of which there are many) fall into one of two categories. They either offer a systematic treatment of groups of animals phylum by phylum, or adopt a functional approach to the various anatomical and physiological systems of the better known species. The Invertebrates is the first and only textbook to integrate both approaches and thus meet the modern teaching needs of the subject. This is the only invertebrate textbook to integrate systematics and functional approaches. The molecular systematics sections have been completely updated for the new edition. Strong evolutionary theme which reflects the importance of molecular techniques throughout. Distills the essential characteristics of each invertebrate group and lists diagnostic features to allow comparisons between phyla. New phyla have been added for the new edition. Stresses comparisons in physiology, reproduction and development. Improved layout and illustration quality. Second edition has sold 14000 copies. Nature of the first edition: 'Students will like this book. It deserves to succeed.'




Predator Vs Prey: How Snakes and Other Reptiles Attack!


Book Description

Does your child love to find out what makes top reptile predators experts at hunting? They will be staggered at the variety of techniques snakes and other scaly creatures use to bring down their prey! Puff adders lure in victims with a worm-like tongue, anacondas can squeeze the life out of their prey, crocodiles clamp their jaws around their prey and then drown it and cobras rely on powerful venom. Different techniques and adaptations are examined in detail, showing how reptile predators are perfectly suited to their habitat and to the prey they pursue. Each spread has dramatic photographs and looks in detail at one mammal predator and focuses on its primary weapon, such as fangs, strength or ambush. The prey animal shows us how it attempts to evade certain death, whether through camouflage, a speedy retreat or safety in numbers. Stat panels give readers a quick overview of how predator and prey stack up against each other. Predators are awe-inspiring. Whether they are fast, strong, armed with claws or teeth, cunning, patient or venomous, they are all masters of the art of killing their prey. Young readers will love the Predator Vs Prey series with its amazing photographs and the details about super-senses or incredible adaptations. These books also highlight the variety of life on Earth and reinforces how animals are adapted to their habitats. Suitable for readers aged 7+ who are either fascinated by wildlife or are studying natural history or animal adaptations or classification. Titles in this series: How Eagles and Other Birds Attack How Lions and Other Mammals Attack How Sharks and Other Fish Attack How Snakes and Other Spiders Attack How Spiders and Other Invertebrates Attack




The Cannibal Within


Book Description

The Cannibal Within offers an evolutionary account of the propensity of human beings, in extreme circumstances to eat other human beings, despite the strong Western taboo against such practices. What sets this volume apart from the large body of literature on cannibalism, both popular and anthropological, is the underlying premise: cannibalism as an alternative to starvation is tacitly condoned by the same biological morality that would condemn cannibalism of other sorts in non-threatening situations. Deep as the taboos may be, the survival instinct runs even deeper. The title of the book reflects the author's belief that cannibalism is not a pathology that erupts in psychotic individuals, but is a universal adaptive strategy that is evolutionarily sound. The cannibal is within all of us, and cannibals are within all cultures, should the circumstances demand cannibalism's appearance and usage. Petrinovich's work is rich in historical detail, and rises to a level of theoretical sophistication in addressing a subject too often dealt with in sensationalist terms. The major instances in which survival cannibalism has occurred convinced the author that there is a consistent pattern and a uniform regularity of order in which different kinds of individuals are consumed. In considering who eats whom, when, and under what circumstances, this regularity appears, and it is consistent with what would be expected on the basis of evolutionary or Darwinian theory. In short, he concludes that starvation cannibalism is not a manifestation of the chaotic, psychotic behavior of individuals who are driven to madness, but reveals underlying characteristics of evolved human beings. Lewis Petrinovich is professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology of the University of California, Riverside and is currently a resident of Berkeley, California.




Defence from Invertebrates to Mammals: Focus on Tonic Immobility


Book Description

Defence from Invertebrates to Mammals: Focus on Tonic Immobility, Volume 273 in the Progress in Brain Research series, highlights new advances in the field. Chapters in this new release include Defensive responses in invertebrates, Introduction to defensive behavior in vertebrates, Neural circuits of fear and defensive behavior, Fear-associated factors modulating TI, Environmental, ecological and methodological factors of TI Modulation, The neuroethological approach to defense in rabbits, Neurophysiological mechanisms of TI, Neuromediators, brain areas and circuits involved in defense responses, Autonomic correlates of defense responses, Neuroendocrine correlates of stress and TI, Pain control during TI and other immobility models, and more. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in the Progress in Brain Research series - Updated release includes the latest information on Defence from Invertebrates to Mammals: Focus on Tonic Immobility




Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates


Book Description

Readers familiar with the first three editions of Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates (edited by J.H. Thorp and A.P. Covich) will welcome the comprehensive revision and expansion of that trusted professional reference manual and educational textbook from a single North American tome into a developing multi-volume series covering inland water invertebrates of the world. The series entitled Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates (edited by J.H. Thorp) begins with the current Volume I: Ecology and General Biology (edited by J.H. Thorp and D.C. Rogers), which is designed as a companion volume for the remaining books in the series. Those following volumes provide taxonomic coverage for specific zoogeographic regions of the world, starting with Keys to Nearctic Fauna (Vol. II) and Keys to Palaearctic Fauna (Vol. III). Volume I maintains the ecological and general biological focus of the previous editions but now expands coverage globally in all chapters, includes more taxonomic groups (e.g., chapters on individual insect orders), and covers additional functional topics such as invasive species, economic impacts, and functional ecology. As in previous editions, the 4th edition of Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates is designed for use by professionals in universities, government agencies, and private companies as well as by undergraduate and graduate students. - Global coverage of aquatic invertebrate ecology - Discussions on invertebrate ecology, phylogeny, and general biology written by international experts for each group - Separate chapters on invasive species and economic impacts and uses of invertebrates - Eight additional chapters on insect orders and a chapter on freshwater millipedes - Four new chapters on collecting and culturing techniques, ecology of invasive species, economic impacts, and ecological function of invertebrates - Overall expansion of ecology and general biology and a shift of the even more detailed taxonomic keys to other volumes in the projected 9-volume series - Identification keys to lower taxonomic levels




Natural Enemies


Book Description

Publisher Description




Proceedings


Book Description




The Biology and Ecology of Streams and Rivers


Book Description

The challenges that the world's running water systems now face have never been more numerous or acute; at the same time, these complex habitats remain absolutely crucial to human wellbeing and future survival. If rivers can ever be anything like sustainable, ecology needs to take its place as an equal among the physical sciences such as hydrology and geomorphology. A real understanding of the natural history and ecology of running waters must now be brought even more prominently into river management. The primary purpose of this textbook is to provide the up-to-date overview that students and practitioners will require to achieve this aim. The book's unifying focus is on rivers and streams as ecosystems in which the particular identity of organisms is not the main emphasis but rather the processes in which they are involved - specifically energy flow and the cycling of materials. It builds on the physicochemical foundations of the habitat templet and explores the diversity and adaptations of the biota, progressing from the population and community ecology of organisms and linking them to ecosystem processes and services in the wider biosphere via the complexities of species interactions and food webs. These include water quality and patterns of river discharge, as well as aesthetics, waste disposal, and environmental health. While the book is not primarily focused on application per se, each chapter addresses how humans affect rivers and, in turn, are affected by them. A final, future-oriented chapter identifies key strategic areas and sets a roadmap for integrating knowledge of natural history and ecology into policy and management. The Biology and Ecology of Streams and Rivers is an accessible text suitable for both senior undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in both lotic and general ecology as well as more established researchers, practitioners, managers, and conservationists requiring a concise and contemporary overview of running waters.