Animal Life at Low Temperature [Hardcover]

John Davenport (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 1991 | ISBN-10: 0412403501 | ISBN-13: 978-0412403507 | Edition: 1

"Animal Life at Low Temperature" is concerned with the behavioural, physiological and biochemical responses of animals to cold, including details of anatomical adaptations. It draws together the results of recent research into topics such as hibernation, antifreezes in fish, the evolution of warm-bloodedness and the importance of cold to evolution and extinction. The book opens with a chapter devoted to the basic concepts of the chemistry and physics of low temperature, the biochemistry of heat production and the categorization of animals such as ectotherms and endotherms. After describing current and past temperate and arctic environments the chapters go on to describe the behaviour, anatomy and physiology of animals exposed to cold conditions. Cryobiology is dealt with in detail including the functions of fish antifreezes, thermal hysteresis proteins and cryoprotective agents. There is a large section devoted to humans, essentially tropical apes that have successfully colonized cold regions of the world by behavioural and technological means. Finally the author addresses low temperature as an agent of evolutionary change including mutation and recombination rates. Supported by numerous assimilable examples, it should provide a sound grounding for both undergraduates and research workers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This new book provides a highly readable account of the ways in which animals of all types cope with a cold environment - Nature; a readable, interesting and useful guide.... thoroughly referenced, well illustrated... the breadth of coverage in this section is appealing. Part Two describing Behaviour, Anatomy and Physiology was thorough and contains a well written section on the anatomy and physiology of endotherms. I was particularly impressed with the extensive section covering sleep, torpor and hibernation... the book as a whole is one which thermal physiologists and others interested in the field will find of great general utility - American Zoological; ...can be recommended to any biologist interested in animal life at low temperature, adn especially to those interested in animal behavior - Ethology

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (October 31, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0412403501
• ISBN-13: 978-0412403507
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,840,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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