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Tadpoles

The Biology of Anuran Larvae

In our own juvenile stage, many of us received our wide-eyed introduction to the wonders of nature by watching the metamorphosis of swimming tadpoles into leaping frogs and toads. The recent alarming declines in amphibian populations worldwide and the suitability of amphibians for use in answering research questions in disciplines as diverse as molecular systematics, animal behavior, and evolutionary biology have focused enormous attention on tadpoles. Despite this popular and scientific interest, relatively little is known about these fascinating creatures.

In this indispensable reference, leading experts on tadpole biology relate what we currently know about tadpoles and what we might learn from them in the future. Tadpoles provides detailed summaries of tadpole morphology, development, behavior, ecology, and environmental physiology; explores the evolutionary consequences of the tadpole stage; synthesizes available information on their biodiversity; and presents a standardized terminology and an exhaustive literature review of tadpole biology.


458 pages | 118 halftones, 181 line drawings, 23 tables | 8-1/2 x 11 | © 2000

Biological Sciences: Anatomy, Behavioral Biology, Biology--Systematics, Ecology, Physiology, Biomechanics, and Morphology

Reviews

"Tadpoles is a great compilation of what we have learned about anuran larvae in the twentieth century."

Copeia

"The book comprises twelve chapters by forteen authors, plus a glossary, an extensive bibliography (70 pages!), and three indices (author, subject, and taxonomic). Contents are organized topically: an introductory chapter by the editors is followed by one or more treatments of “standard” topics (morphology, neurobiology, physiology, behavior, and ecology), plus two chapters that address the origin, evolution, and maintenance of the anuran larva (and of the complex life history in general) as well as its loss through direct development and related reproductive modes. The final chapter, also by the editors, provides a detailed compendium of tadpole diversity (mostly anatomical, but also ecological) at the levels of families and genera. Several chapters provide valuable and significant contributions, either by compiling and summarizing existing information from very diverse literature (both classical and recent), or by offering novel syntheses and highlighting important problems deserving of further study."

Evolution & Development

"Here, at last, is a specialist publication, written by a team of fourteen international experts, that both provides a review of basic information, and indicates directions requiring further attention. The book radiates the humor and easy-going nature of the editors, while remaining an accurate scientific publication. It is divided into twelve chapters, a useful glossary, 69 pages of literature cited, and indices of authors, subjects, and taxonomy. Each chapter is complete and could serve as a core text in a course on amphibian larvae, and will no doubt become required reading for these and related vertebrate biology courses."

Herpetological Review

"I have nothing but praise for Tadpoles. . . . The accounts are engaging and the presentation is effective. Whether the book is read in an orderly manner or dipped into at random (I confess to a fair bit of the latter), there is much to discover between its covers."

Canadian Field-Naturalist

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
List of Contributors
Chapter 1. Introduction: The Tadpole Arena
Roy W. McDiarmid and Ronald Altig
Chapter 2. Research: Materials and Techniques
Roy W. McDiarmid and Ronald Altig
Chapter 3. Body Plan: Development and Morphology
Ronald Altig and Roy W. McDiarmid
Chapter 4. Architecture: Cranial and Axial Musculoskeleton
David Cannatella
Chapter 5. Anatomy: Viscera and Endocrines
Bruno Viertel and Susanne Richter
Chapter 6. Integration: Nervous and Sensory Systems
Michael J. Lannoo
Chapter 7. Endotrophic Anurans: Development and Evolution
Giselle Thibaudeau and Ronald Altig
Chapter 8. Physiology: Coping with the Environment
Gordon R. Ultsch, David F. Bradford, and Joe Freda
Chapter 9. Behavior: Interactions and Their Consequences
Karin vS. Hoff, Andrew Blaustein, Roy W. McDiarmid, and Ronald Altig
Chapter 10. Ecology: Resource Use, Competition, and Predation
Ross A. Alford
Chapter 11. The Anuran Tadpole: Evolution and Maintenance
Reid N. Harris
Chapter 12. Diversity: Familial and Generic Characterizations
Ronald Altig and Roy W. McDiarmid
Glossary
Literature Cited
Subject Index
Taxonomic Index

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