Freshwater Fishes Of North America

H. Wilson

Warren, Jr.

Field guide of Freshwater fish.

The North American freshwater fish fauna is the most diverse and thoroughly researched temperate fish fauna in the world. Ecology of North American Freshwater Fishes is the only textbook to provide advanced undergraduate and graduate students and researchers with an up-to-date and integrated view of the ecological and evolutionary concepts, principles, and processes involved in the formation and maintenance of this fauna. Ecology of North American Freshwater Fishes provides readers with a broad understanding of why specific species and assemblages occur in particular places. Additionally, the text explores how individuals and species interact with each other and with their environments, how such interactions have been altered by anthropogenic impacts, and the relative success of efforts to restore damaged ecosystems. This book is designed for use in courses related to aquatic and fish ecology, fish biology, ichthyology, and related advanced ecology and conservation courses, and is divided into five sections for ease of use. Chapter summaries, supplemental reading lists, online sources, extensive figures, and color photography are included to guide readers through the material and facilitate student learning. Part 1: Faunal origins, evolution, and diversity Presents a broad pictureÑboth spatially and temporallyÑof the derivation of the fauna, including global and regional geological and climatological processes and their effects on North American fishes. Part 2: Formation, maintenance, and persistence of local populations and assemblages Focuses on how local fish populations and assemblages are formed and how they persist, or not, through time. Part 3: Form and function Deals with the relationship of body form and life history patterns as they are related to ecological functions. Part 4: Interactions among individuals and species Discusses the numerous interactions among individuals and species through communication, competition, predation, mutualism, and facilitation. Part 5: Issues in conservation Focuses on several primary conservation issues such as flow alterations and the increasing biotic homogenization of faunas.

This was the first effort to standardize methods for inland fish sampling across North America and, as such, was a joint effort contributed to by a large group of talented and dedicated individuals, in addition to the authors and coeditors. While these sampling methods were primarily developed for North America, most could be used with little or no modification in other areas of the world. Those involved with standard sampling efforts in North America would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with scientists from other regions to develop methods to share data worldwide.

This book is a magnificently illustrated volume that will help anglers, scientists, and nature lovers to identify and appreciate North American freshwater game fish. Along with illustrations that showcase gender color variations for each species, Thompson provides information about fish biology, behavior, and habitats. Common and scientific names are provided, as are range maps and information about each fish family's global range, physical traits, diet, significance to humans, and present status regarding its potential endangerment.

"A remarkable accomplishment.... [This volume] has been and will continue to be a major force advancing freshwater fish parasitology."—Ernest H. Williams Jr., from the ForewordThis thoroughly revised and updated edition of a classic reference work is the definitive guide to the identification of the parasites of freshwater fishes of North America. The book provides information on public health concerns about fish parasites, the methods used to examine fish for parasites, and those parasites found only in very selective organs or tissues. It lists the known species of each genus, along with reference citations that enable readers to find literature pertinent to species identification, life cycles, and in some cases, control. In the heart of the book, each chapter opens with a description of a phylum and its relevant families and genera, followed by a species list for those genera. Drawings illustrate a representative of each genus, and are supplemented by photographic examples.Many new parasites of North American freshwater fishes have been discovered since the publication of the first edition thirty years ago. For this new edition, the author has added new species accounts and revised the taxonomy, expanded descriptions and discussion of the most important fish parasites, provided a glossary to aid nonspecialists, and updated the reference list through 1992. The volume features twice as many illustrations as the first edition, including the addition of 33 color photographs.

In the 20 years since publication of the first edition, the number of freshwater fish species has risen by almost 150. This second edition incorporates all of these new species, plus all-new maps and a collection of new and revised plates.