Biology and Physiology of Freshwater Neotropical Fish

Description

Biology and Physiology of Freshwater Neotropical Fish is the all-inclusive guide to fish species prevalent in the neotropical realm. It provides the most updated systematics, classification, anatomical, behavioral, genetic, and functioning systems information on freshwater neotropical fish species. This book begins by analyzing the differences in phylogeny, anatomy, and behaviour of neotropical fish. Systems such as cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, reproductive, muscular, and endocrine are described in detail. This book also looks at the effects of stress on fish immune systems, and how color and pigmentation play into physiology and species differentiation. Biology and Physiology of Freshwater Neotropical Fish is a must-have for fish biologists and zoologists. Students in zoology, ichthyology, and fish farming will also find this book useful for its coverage of some of the world’s rarest and least-known fish species. Front matter Copyright Contributors Phylogeny and classification of Neotropical fish Introduction Phylogenies and organization of biological diversity Phylogenetic relationships between groups of modern fish and the Tetrapodomorpha Diversification of Actinopterygii and main Neotropical lineages Diversity and classification of Neotropical Otophysa The Characiformes The Siluriformes The Gymnotiformes Diversity and classification of Neotropical Euteleosteomorpha The Cyprinodontiformes The Cichliformes What novelties are expected in the phylogeny and classification of the Neotropical fish? References Anatomy of Teleosts and elasmobranchs Introduction Common features of the external and internal anatomy of fish Tegument Scales Fins General anatomy of Teleosts and elasmobranchs Digestive system Respiratory system Swim (gas) bladder Weberian apparatus Renal system Reproductive system Nervous system Endocrine system General anatomy of Neotropical Characins, Siluriform, and Cichlidae Pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1887) Silver catfish Rhamdia sp. Millet or pike cichlid Crenicichla sp. Final considerations References Further reading The genetic bases of physiological processes in fish Introduction Genetic diversity and physiological adaptation Environmental cues and expression of genes involved in reproductive physiology Use of genetic tools in ecotoxicological studies with neotropical fish Triploidy induction in fish Transgenic fish in physiological studies References Further reading Behavior and welfare Introduction Basis for the study of behavior What is behavior? Behavior structure Reflex behavior Taxis Inborn behavior (instinctive) Learning Classical or Pavlovian conditioning Operant conditioning Aggression and territoriality Behavioral basis and welfare Welfare Historical rudiments of considerations about animal feelings Reasons for debates on fish welfare How has sentience been studied in fish? Logical reasons for the fish suffering issue How to evaluate fish welfare? The personality of fish and their well-being The preference tests as indicators of conditions for well-being Concluding remarks References Further reading Stress and immune system in fish Introduction Organization and mechanisms of the stress responses Primary stress responses: Alarm for the mobilization of biological systems of adaptation and resistance Secondary stress responses: Adaptive response to the maintenance of organic homeostasis Tertiary stress responses: Exhaustion of biological systems Fish immune system The innate and acquired immune system of teleost fish Cell-mediated immune system and humoral compounds Cell-mediated immune system Humoral immune system Stress, immune, and inflammatory responses: Changes in immunocompetence during stress response Immune system and modulation by catecholamines Immune system and modulation by cortisol Modulation of the immune system by immunostimulants Mechanism of action of immunostimulants Modulation of the immune system by cytokines Strategies to improve the health of neotropical freshwater fish The use of micronutrients as an immunomodulator Probiotics and prebiotics The immunostimulants Future perspectives and concluding remarks References Further reading Evolution and physiology of electroreceptors and electric organs in Neotropical fish Introduction Phylogenetic occurrence of electroreceptors and electrical organs in vertebrates Passive and active electroreception Evolutionary aspects of the EES Electrical landscape: Current and voltage sources in aquatic environments Electroreceptor types and their basic physiological properties EOs, EODs, and their physiology EOD physiology EODs classification Electroreception in lampreys (order Petromyzontiformes) Electroreceptors and EOs in cartilaginous fish (Class Chondrichthyes) Anatomy and physiology of ampullary electroreceptors in cartilaginous fish Anatomy and physiology of EOs in rays Electroreception in lungfish, Lepidosiren (order Lepidosireniformes) Electroreception and EOs in catfish (order Siluriformes) Anatomy and physiology of electroreceptors in catfish Anatomy and physiology of EOs in catfish Electroreceptors and EOs in South American electric fish (order Gymnotiformes) Anatomy and physiology of ampullary electroreceptors in gymnotiforms Anatomy and physiology of tuberous electroreceptors in gymnotiforms Anatomy and physiology of electrical organs in gymnotiforms EOs in stargazers (Uranoscopidae) References Color and physiology of pigmentation Introduction Pigmentary system The functions of chromatic patterns Pigment cells and pigments Mechanisms for moving pigment granules-motor proteins Chromatic adaptation Regulation of chromatic adaptation Primary response Secondary response Melanocyte-stimulating hormone α-MSH Melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) Catecholamines Melatonin Endothelins Action mechanisms (intracellular signaling pathways) Final considerations References Further reading Cellular and molecular features of skeletal muscle growth and plasticity Structural and morphological organization of skeletal muscle Molecular control of skeletal muscle development Molecular control of postembrionary skeletal muscle growth Muscle anabolism Muscle catabolism MicroRNAs regulating skeletal muscle growth and phenotype Primary myoblast cell culture as an in vitro tool to study myogenesis References Further reading The cardiovascular system Introduction Heart anatomy Genesis of cardiac contractility: The pacemaker tissue The action potential of atrial and ventricular myocytes The action potential conduction system Electrocardiogram The excitation-contraction coupling Heart rate, systolic volume, and cardiac output Control of cardiac function Effect of temperature Cardiac responses to hypoxia Cardiac responses to pollutants References Further reading Breathing and respiratory adaptations Introduction Respiratory gases in natural waters Diffusion of gases and respiration Respiratory organs in fish Gills Organization and structure Gill epithelium Accessory organs for air breathing Gill morphometry and accessory organs in relation to respiratory function Respiration Oxygen consumption, metabolic rate, and respiratory variables Respiration and environment Hyperoxia Hypoxia Temperature Pollution Breath control References Further reading Nutrition and functional aspects of digestion in fish Introduction Nutrients Macronutrients Proteins Carbohydrates Lipids Micronutrients Vitamins Nutrition Supplements Minerals Digestion in fish: general features Morphological features of the digestive tract Functional features of the digestive tract Sections of the digestive tract Mouth and pharynx Esophagus Stomach Intestine Liver and pancreas Evolution of digestive processes and aspects of nutritional ecology The food habit Diet adaptations Functional aspects of the digestive system The digestive processes Characteristics of digestive enzymes Classification of digestive enzymes Proteases Pepsin Trypsin and chymotrypsin Lipases Carbohydrases Amylase Chitinase Cellulase Disaccharidases Accessory enzymes of the digestive process Digestion, digestive transit, and absorption Final considerations References Further reading Osmotic and ionic regulation Introduction Organs involved in osmoregulation Epithelia Gills Gastrointestinal tract Renal system Hypoxia and osmoregulation Osmoregulation and pH Water hardness and osmoregulation Dissolved organic matter and osmoregulation Conclusions References Further reading Reproduction and embryogenesis General overview Structural organization of the gonads First sexual maturation Gonadal maturity stages Biological indices Endocrine disruption Ovulation and spawning Ovarian remodeling after spawning Reproductive period and spawning season Fecundity Types of eggs and fertilization Embryonic development Zygote Cleavage Blastula Gastrula Blastopore closure Germ layer differentiation Somitogenesis Hatching References Further reading The brain-pituitary-gonad axis and the gametogenesis Introduction Hypothalamus Pituitary gland Adenohypophysis Neurohypophysis Oogenesis Dynamics of oocyte development and spawning types in freshwater fish used in fish farming Oocyte development in neotropical migratory fish Early oocyte development Oogonia Primary oocytes in the ``single nucleolus´´ stage Primary ``perinucleolar´´ oocytes Vitellogenesis Hormonal control of oogenesis Spermatogenesis Morphology of testis Male reproductive cycle Structure of the spermatozoa Hormonal control of the spermatogenesis References Index