Cold Ocean Physiology

This book presents information about how animals have adapted to cope with life in freezing water.

Hans-O. Pörtner (Edited by), Richard C. Playle (Edited by)

9780521580786, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 March 1998

518 pages, 81 b/w illus. 38 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.9 cm, 0.955 kg

'… a volume well worth the attention of all comparative physiologists concerned with the effects of low temperatures'. John A. MacDonald, Antarctic Science

From a human viewpoint, the cold waters of deep sea and polar marine regions present an inhospitable and harsh environment for life. The study of organisms which have exploited this seemingly hostile ecological niche has revealed intriguing physiological adaptations. This volume summarizes the information on the adaptations exhibited by representatives of the main groups of polar animals, including marine invertebrates, fish, mammals and birds, at scales ranging from the whole organism through to the underlying molecular adaptational mechanisms. Unique in its breadth of coverage, this volume will provide an important resource for all those concerned specifically with how animals have adapted to life in extreme conditions, as well as being of general interest to all marine biologists.

List of contributors
Preface
Part I. General Concepts: 1. Temperature and energetics: an introduction to cold ocean physiology A. Clarke
Part II. Compensatory Adaptations in Cold Ocean Environments: 2. Adaptation to cold and depth: contrasts between polar and deep-sea animals G. N. Somero
3. Temperature and growth rates as modulators of the metabolic capacities of fish muscle H. Guderley
4. Energetic aspects of cold adaptation: critical temperatures in metabolic, ionic and acid-base regulation? H. O. Pörtner, I. Hardewig, F. J. Sartoris and P. L. M. van Dijk
5. Physiological and evolutionary aspects of myoglobin expression in the haemoglobinless Antarctic icefishes B. D. Sidell and M. E. Vayda
6. Oxygen transport systems in extreme environments: multiplicity and structure-function relationship in haemoglobins of Antarctic fish G. di Prisco, M. Tamburrini and R. D´Avino
7. Membrane lipid and protein adaptations in Antarctic fish C. Storelli, R. Acierno and M. Maffia
8. Kinetics of enzymes in cold-stenothermal invertebrates R. A. H. Vetter and F. Buchholz
9. Effects of low temperature on prooxidant processes and antioxidant defence systems in marine organisms A. Viarengo, D. Abele-Oeschger and B. Burlando
Part III. Exploitative Adaptations: 10. New insights into fish antifreeze proteins: physiological significance and molecular regulation G. L. Fletcher, S. V. Goddard, P. L. Davies, Z. Gong, K. V. Ewart and C. L. Hew
11. Antifreeze glycopeptides and peptides in the freezing avoidance of Weddell Sea fishes: its relation to mode of life, depth distribution and evolution A. P. A. Wöhrmann
Part IV. Integrative Approaches: 12. Effects of environmental and experimental stress on Antarctic fish S. Egginton and W. Davison
13. Fish cardio-circulatory function in the cold M. Axelsson, C. Agnisola, S. Nilsson and B. Tota
14. Feeding, metabolism and metabolic scope in Antarctic marine ectotherms L. S. Peck
15. Evolution and adaptation of the diving response: phocids and otariids P. W. Hochachka and P. D. Mottishaw
16. The physiology of polar birds R. M. Bevan, C. M. Bishop, and P. J. Butler
Part V. Applied Approaches: 17. Physiological ecology in cold ocean fisheries: a case study in Atlantic cod R. G. Boutilier
Index.

Subject Areas: Animal physiology [PSVD]