Animal Life at Low Temperature

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Animal Life at Low Temperature is concerned with the behavioural, physiological and biochemical responses of animals to cold, including details of anatomical adaptations. It draws together the results of recent research into topics such as hibernation, antifreezes in fish, the evolution of warm-bloodedness and the importance of cold to evolution and extinction. The book opens with a chapter devoted to the basic concepts of the chemistry and physics of low temperature, the biochemistry of heat production and the categorization of animals such as ectotherms and endotherms. After describing current and past temperate and arctic environments the chapters go on to describe the behaviour, anatomy and physiology of animals exposed to cold conditions. Cryobiology is dealt with in detail including the functions of fish antifreezes, thermal hysteresis proteins and cryoprotective agents. There is a large section devoted to humans, essentially tropical apes that have successfully colonized cold regions of the world by behavioural and technological means. Finally the author addresses low temperature as an agent of evolutionary change including mutation and recombination rates. Supported by numerous assimilable examples, it should provide a sound grounding for both undergraduates and research workers.