Fish Physiology: The Multifunctional Gut of Fish

Provides a synthesis and an overview of the range of gut functions and their implications for organismal physiology. This title covers highly diversified anatomy and functions of the gut, including nutrient uptake, immune barrier function, salt and water homeostasis and respiration, as well as neuroendocrine actions and control.

Autorentext

Tony Farrell is a graduate of Bath University, where he was fortunate to study with Peter Lutz. His fortunes grew further when he moved in 1974 to Canada and the Zoology Department at the University of British Columbia to complete his Ph.D. degree under the superb tutelage of Dave Randall. In 2004, Tony returned to UBC when he accepted an endowed research chair in Sustainable Aquaculture. In between these positions at UBC, Tony was employed at the University of Southern California (PDF), the University of New Brunswick (sessional lecturer), Mount Allison University (first real job) and Simon Fraser University (moving through the ranks to a full professor). In addition to highly controlled laboratory experiments on fish cardiorespiratory physiology, Tony is committed to working on animals in their own environment. Therefore, his research on fish physiology has taken him on an Alpha Helix expedition to the Amazon, the University of Gothenburg and the Kristineberg Marine Research Station in Sweden, the Portobello Marine Biological Station in New Zealand, the University of Christchurch and Massey University in New Zealand, the Bamfield Marine Science Station and the Huntsman Marine Station in Canada, the University of Aarhus in Denmark, the University of Adelaide Charles and Darwin University in Australia, and to the Danish Arctic Marine Station on Disco Island in Greenland. These travels have allowed him to work and with many superb collaborators word-wide, as well as study the physiology of over 70 different species of fish. Tony has received a number of awards for his scientific contributions: an honorary degree from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden; Awards of Excellence from the American Fisheries Society for Fish Physiology, Conservation and Management; the Fry Medal from the Canadian Society of Zoologists; and the Beverton Medal from the Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

Klappentext

The Multifunctional Gut of Fish provides a comprehensive synthesis and an integrative overview of the range of gut functions and their implications for organismal physiology. The highly diversified anatomy and functions of the gut, including nutrient uptake, immune barrier function, salt and water homeostasis and respiration, as well as neuroendocrine actions and control are covered in detail by leading authors. In addition, this volume explores the pronounced implications of gut function for whole animal integrative physiology and compensatory demands for non-GI organs. As the first comprehensive reference to discuss the diverse morphological and functional adaptations of the gut, this volume provides an excellent resource for comparative physiologists, aquaculturists and biomedical researchers employing fish as model organisms for mammalian physiology.

Inhalt

Diversity in morphology, anatomy and histology of the gastrointestinal tract in relation to phylogeny, feeding habits and environment; Feeding, digestion and absorption of nutrient, micronutrients and minerals; Barrier function and immunology; The role of the gastrointestinal tract in salt and water balance; The role of feeding in salt and water balance; Implications of GI function for gas exchange, acid-base balance and nitrogen metabolism; The GI tract as an endocrine/neuroendocrine/paracrine organ; The enteric nervous system; Mesenteric circulation and respiration of the GI tract; The GI tract in air breathing and nitrogen excretion