Forlagets omtale:
- Focuses on the comparative physiology of birds
with a particular emphasis on energy metabolism - Includes information on anatomy, ecology,
phylogeny, and development - Describes the unique physiological implications of
the evolution of flight and migration - Incorporates the latest experimental techniques
with an emphasis on molecular methods and advanced technology - Provides a synthesis of current research and
suggests a future research agenda
Birds have colonized almost every terrestrial habitat on the planet – from the
poles to the tropics, and from deserts to high mountain tops. Ecological and
Environmental Physiology of Birds focuses on our current understanding of
the unique physiological characteristics of birds that are of particular
interest to ornithologists, but also have a wider biological relevance. An
introductory chapter covers the basic avian body plan and their still-enigmatic
evolutionary history. The focus then shifts to a consideration of the essential
components of that most fundamental of avian attributes: the ability to fly. The
emphasis here is on feather evolution and development, flight energetics and
aerodynamics, migration, and as a counterpoint, the curious secondary evolution
of flightlessness that has occurred in several lineages. This sets the stage for
subsequent chapters, which present specific physiological topics within a
strongly ecological and environmental framework. These include gas exchange,
thermal and osmotic balance, ‘classical’ life history parameters (male and
female reproductive costs, parental care and investment in offspring, and
fecundity versus longevity tradeoffs), feeding and digestive physiology,
adaptations to challenging environments (high altitude, deserts, marine
habitats, cold), and neural specializations (notably those important in
foraging, long-distance navigation, and song production). Throughout the book
classical studies are integrated with the latest research findings. Numerous
important and intriguing questions await further work, and the book concludes
with a discussion of methods (emphasizing cutting-edge technology), approaches,
and future research directions.
