The papers in this volume were presented at an international symposium, held in South Australia on September 8-10, 1983. The purpose of the meeting was to present the comparative physiology of gas exchange, water balance and energet ics of developing vertebrate embryos. contributions were invited from leading research workers in an attempt to represent the forefront of investigation of all vertebrate classes and to promote a broadly comparative approach to the study of embryonic physiology. These proceedings therefore reflect the current level of research activity focus ing on each group of vertebrates. While considerable expansion and specializa tion has occurred in the area of avian embryos over the last decade, work on reptilian embryos is less developed and that on fish and amphibians is still in its infancy. Although a great deal is known about respiration and metabolism in embryos of placental mammals, the physiology associated with the curious mode of development of monotreme and marsupial embryos has not been examined until recently. In this symposium. the well-studied vertebrate classes are repre sented primarily by specific research papers that document original work. These are balanced by more extensive reviews of the lesser known classes.

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Facilitation of Maternal-Fetal Oxygen Transfer in Fishes: Anatomical and Molecular Specializations.- 2. Blood Adaptations for Maternal-Fetal Oxygen Transfer in the Viviparous Teleost, Zoarces viviparus L..- 3. Transition of Respiratory Processes during Amphibian Metamorphosis: From Egg to Adult.- 4. Functional Morphology of Gills in Larval Amphibians.- 5. Consequences of Aerial Respiration for Amphibian Larvae.- 6. Physiological Features of Embryonic Development in Terrestrially-Breeding Plethodontid Salamanders.- 7. Coupling of Physiology of Embryonic Turtles to the Hydric Environment.- 8. Hydrostatic Pressure, Shell Compliance and Permeability to Water Vapor in Flexible-Shelled Eggs of the Colubrid Snake Elaphe obsoleta.- 9. Influence of Incubation Substrate Water Content on Oxygen Uptake in Embryos of the Burmese Python (Python molurus).- 10. Physiological and Ecological Questions on the Evolution of Reptilian Viviparity.- 11. Comparative Aspects of Calcium Metabolism in Embryonic Reptiles and Birds.- 12. Respiratory Gas Transport System: Similarities between Avian Embryos and Lungless Salamanders.- 13. Adult and Embryonic Metabolism in Birds and the Role of Shell Conductance.- 14. The Effects of Oxygen on Growth and Development of the Chick Embryo.- 15. Regulation of Oxygen Affinity of Embryonic Blood during Hypoxic Incubation.- 16. Blood Oxygen Affinity in Relation to Yolk-Sac and Chorioallantoic Gas Exchange in the Developing Chick Embryo.- 17. Permeability of Eggshells of Native Chickens in the Peruvian Andes.- 18. Eggshell Conductances of Avian Eggs at Different Altitudes.- 19. Factors Controlling the Rate of Incubation Water Loss in Bird Eggs.- 20. A Preliminary Study of Local Oxygen Tensions Inside Bird Eggs and Gas Exchange During Early Stages of Embryonic Development.- 21. Oxygen and Glucose Uptakes in the Early Chick Embryo.- 22. Influence of L-Thyroxine and Thiourea on Metabolism and Lung Respiration in Embryonic Chicks.- 23. Patterns of Lung Aeration in the Perinatal Period of Domestic Fowl and Brush Turkey.- 24. Carbon Dioxide Transport and Acid-Base Balance in Chickens Before and After Hatching.- 25. The Energetics of Development in a Very Large Altricial Bird, the Brown Pelican.- 26. Analysis of Variation in Gas Exchange, Growth Patterns, and Energy Utilization in a Parrot and Other Avian Embryos.- 27. The Development of the Respiratory System in Placental Mammals.- 28. Structural Adaptations of the Eggs and Fetal Membranes of Monotremes and Marsupials for Respiratory and Metabolic Exchange.- 29.Gas Transfer by the Neonate in the Pouch of the Tammar Wallaby, Macropus eugenii.- Group photograph.- List of participants.