754 pages, 10 colour plates, illustrations, tables
The book is divided into three sections: the first covers the basic principles of adaptation and problems of size and scale, the second tackles the key mechanisms in comparative physiology, and the third considers in detail how organisms (both vertebrate and invertebrate) cope with particular environments. Includes 2 new chapters examining nerves, sense organs, muscles and hormones and their role in adapting to the environment.
"[...] this second edition confirms its status as the first place I would go for guidance in unfamiliar physiological territory. Its level is perfect for undergraduates [...] this is a terrific text, and one that I recommend unreservedly."
- Andrew Clarke, British Antarctic Survey, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, August 2004
Preface To Second Edition
Preface To First Edition
List Of Abbreviations
Part I: Basic Principles:
1. The Nature And Levels Of Adaptation
2. Fundamental Mechanisms Of Adaptation
3. The Problems Of Size And Scale
Part II: Central Issues In Comparative Physiology:
4. Water, Ions, And Osmotic Physiology
5. Animal Water Balance, Osmoregulation, And Excretion
6. Metabolism And Energy Supply
7. Respiration And Circulation
8. Temperature And Its Effects
9. Excitable Tissues Nervous Systems And Muscles
10. Hormones And Chemical Control Systems:
Part III: Coping With The Environment:
11. Marine Life
12. Shorelines And Estuaries
13. Fresh Water
14. Special Aquatic Habitats
15. Terrestrial Life
16. Extreme Terrestrial Habitats
17. Parasitic Habitats
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Pat Willmer began her research career in neurobiology at Cambridge, progressively switching to broader interests in invertebrate physiology and the interactions of physiology, ecology, and behavior. Her current interests at St Andrews mainly focus on insect environmental physiology, and effects on insect-plant interactions.
Graham Stone began his research career in entomology at Oxford, progressively switching to broader aspects of the biology of insect-plant interactions. His current interests at Edinburgh mainly focus on pollination ecology (particularly of Acacia communities in Africa) and the biology of oak gallwasps.
Ian A. Johnston began his research career at Hull and Bristol. His research group at St Andrews is currently utilizing genomic, molecular, physiological, structural, and whole organism approaches to investigate muscle development and growth in teleost fish, with particular reference to temperature adaptation and the evolution of Antarctic and Arctic species.