Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives (CRC Marine Biology Series)

Synopsis: Sharks And Their Relatives Are The Subjects Of Tremendous Interest. The Public's Fascination Is Influenced By Their Roles In Movies And Popular Literature, While The Media Races To Cover Stories Of Predators Endangering Helpless Humans. The Alarming Threat To Shark Populations Is Also Garnering Significant Publicity And Leading To A Worldwide Increase In Conservation Initiatives. Finally, Technological Advances Are Impacting Every Area Of Shark Research And Revealing Incredible Secrets About These Mysterious Animals. These Major Factors Indicate The Need For A Timely Synthesis Of The Biology Of Sharks And Their Relatives. Biology Of Sharks And Their Relatives Brings Together The Latest Information On The Phylogeny, Physiology, Behavior, And Ecology Of Sharks And Their Relatives, The Skates, Rays, And Chimaeras. Written By A Who's Who Lineup In North American Elasmobranch Research, This Single-source Review Of Elasmobranch Fishes Presents Cohesive And Integrated Coverage Of Key Topics And Discusses Technological Advances Used In Modern Shark Research. The Text Establishes Relationships Among The Sharks And Their Relatives That Dominate The Chondrichthyes, Describes Their Functions And Physiological Processes, And Examines Issues Relevant To Managing Depleted And Threatened Fisheries. Each Of The 19 Chapters Includes A Comprehensive Review Of The Subject With Extensive Up-to-date Citations. This Authoritative Book Provides A Synopsis Of The Current Understanding Of Elasmobranch Fishes While Identifying Gaps In Our Knowledge To Stimulate Further Study. Its Broad Coverage And Inclusive Nature Make This An Important Resource For Marine And Conservation Biologists, Fishery Scientists, Biological Oceanographers, Zoologists, Ecologists, Environmental Planners, And Students. The Origin And Relationships Of Early Chondrichthyes / Eileen D. Grogan, Richard Lund -- Historical Zoogeography Of The Selachii / John A. Musick, Melanie M. Harbin, Leonard J.v. Compagno -- Phylogeny Of Batoidea / John D. Mceachran, Neil Aschliman -- Phylogeny And Classification Of Extant Holocephali / Dominique A. Didier -- Biomechanics Of Locomotion In Sharks, Rays, And Chimeras / Cheryl A.d. Wilga, George V. Lauder -- Prey Capture Behavior And Feeding Mechanics Of Elasmobranchs / Philip J. Motta -- Metabolism, Energetic Demand, And Endothermy / John K. Carlson, Kenneth J. Goldman, Christopher G. Lowe -- Food Consumption And Feeding Habits / Bradley M. Wetherbee, Enric Cortés -- Homeostasis : Osmoregulation, Ph Regulation, And Nitrogen Excretion / David H. Evans, Peter M. Piermarini, Keith P. Choe -- Reproductive Biology Of Elasmobranchs / Jeffrey C. Carrier, Harold L. Pratt, Jr., José I. Castro -- Hormonal Regulation Of Elasmobranch Physiology / James Gelsleichter -- Sensory Biology Of Elasmobranchs / Robert E. Hueter ... [and Others] -- The Immune System Of Sharks, Skates, And Rays / Carl A. Luer, Catherine J. Walsh, Ashby B. Bodine -- Age Determination And Validation In Chondrichthyan Fishes / Gregor M. Cailliet, Kenneth J. Goldman -- Life History Patterns, Demography, And Population Dynamics / Enric Cortés -- Genetics Of Sharks, Skates, And Rays / Edward J. Heist -- Predator-prey Interactions / Michael R. Heithaus -- Elasmobranchs As Hosts Of Metazoan Parasites / Janine N. Caira, Claire J. Healy -- Assessing Habitat Use And Movement / Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Michelle R. Heupel. [edited By] Jeffrey C. Carrier, John A. Musick, And Michael R. Heithaus. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. To address subject areas and subdisciplines where coverage was absent or superficial in volume one, Jeffrey Carrier and associates have assembled in the current volume a collection of works that reveal patterns of biodiversity, the physiological attributes that contribute to elasmobranchs' successful exploitation of oceanic and freshwater realms, and the unique issues associated with the interaction between elasmobranchs and humans, all of this with overarching attention to issues of conservation. "We begin with chapters examining biodiversity. We have chosen to approach this discussion by presenting elasmobranchs as inhabitants of the range of zoogeographic provinces, realizing that significant overlap may occur for more pelagic species. This realization was reflected in the dialogue that occurred during preparation of the book between our chapter authors, and the recognition that many species simply cannot be confined to a specific habitat or range of habitats. We then continue by examining some of the unique physiological adaptations that allow these animals to exploit the range of habitats where they are found, from unique sensory modalities to compensatory mechanisms for physiological and environmental stress. "Our concluding section presents some of the challenges faced by members of these groups. We have asked our authors to consider human interactions and anthropogenic effects on worldwide populations and the potential extinction risks posed from survival under increasing threats from changes in habitat, changes in water chemistry, and increasing commercial exploitation. Conservation of species under threat remains a theme throughout the book Since the award-winning first volume, The Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives, published in 2004, the field has witnessed tremendous developments in research, rapid advances in technology, and the emergence of new investigators beginning to explore issues of biodiversity, distribution, physiology, and ecology in ways that eluded more traditional studies. As an entirely new companion volume, Sharks and Their Relatives II: Biodiversity, Adaptive Physiology, and Conservation brings you up to speed on these significant changes, specifically examining how elasmobranch fishes - the sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras - successfully survive in a wide range of habitats. Emphasizes Conservation of Threatened Species This multidisciplinary volume begins by examining elasmobranch biodiversity patterns and their integrated sensory systems. It then explores the physiological adaptations - from unique sensory modalities to compensatory mechanisms for physiological and environmental stress - that make these animals particularly well-suited for the range of habitats where they are found, in both oceanic and freshwater realms. Features Established Researchers and Introduces New Pioneers in the Field The book then considers the human interactions and anthropogenic effects on worldwide elasmobranch populations and the potential extinction risks posed by increasing threats from changes in habitat, changes in water chemistry, and growing commercial exploitation. This text truly is unrivaled in terms of coverage and readability, and it is a must-have reference for marine biologists, fishery scientists, oceanographers, and also marine, zoo, and aquarium veterinarians Winner of Choice Magazine‘s Outstanding Academic Title award, January 2005! Sharks and their relatives are the subjects of tremendous interest. The public‘s fascination is influenced by their roles in movies and popular literature, while the media races to cover stories of predators endangering helpless humans. The alarming threat to shark popul Chondrichthyan fishes are probably the most successful of all fishes if success is measured in terms of historical endurance, based on ability to survive the mass extinctions of the last 400 million years or so.