Vertebrate Ecophysiology
An Introduction to its Principles and Applications

A fascinating introduction to the study of ecophysiology for advanced undergraduates and postgraduate students.

Don Bradshaw (Author)

9780521521093, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 24 April 2003

300 pages, 85 b/w illus. 29 tables
22.6 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.48 kg

"This book serves its purpose well--it provides an excellent introduction to the science and methodology of ecophysiology. It will be an important asset to students and beginning practitioners of this important scientific discipline. Highly recommended." Choice

Ecophysiology attempts to clarify the role and importance of physiological processes, such as digestion and respiration, in the ecological relations of species in their natural habitats. The basic principles and methods that are central to any ecophysiological study are outlined and discussed, including animal capture, blood collection, and the measurement of plasma components and hormone levels. Attention is paid to animal welfare and ethical considerations, and the question of stress and how to identify its presence in animals in their natural environment is approached through a series of case studies. Examples are given from a wide range of vertebrates living in deserts, cold climates and oceans, and recent findings on the physiological adaptations of Antarctic birds and mammals are a highlight of the book. This textbook will provide an introduction to the study of ecophysiology for advanced undergraduates and postgraduate students, as well as researchers in ecology, biodiversity and conservation.

Introduction
1. Homeostasis: a fundamental organising paradigm in ecophysiology
2. Stress - the concept and the reality
3. Basic methods used in ecophysiological studies
4. Turnover methodology - theory and practice
5. Case studies of stress - incidence and intensity
6. Survival in deserts
7. Torpor and hibernation in cold climates
8. Marine birds and mammals
9. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Ecological science, the Biosphere [PSAF], Physiology [MFG]