The Histological Basis Of Adaptive Shades And Colors In The Flounder Paralichthys Albiguttus

Fish are extremely successful vertebrates. Because of a long and divergent history they are now found in almost every conceiv able aquatic habitat. This radiation has been accompanied by great diversity in structure, physiology, and behaviour. Despite this variability, fish must solve a number of basic problems that are common to all animals. The most important of these are: (1) to find and ingest appropriate food; (2) to avoid predation; and (3) to reproduce. The main purpose of this book is to describe the variety of behavioural strategies that fish use in coping with these problems. My approach has been to draw together material from both field and laboratory work that is widely scattered in the litera ture. The major emphasis is on field studies, since my main concern is with adaptive solutions to problems, and I believe these are most likely to be correctly perceived by workers who are familiar with the natural ecological setting of their animals. Of course, many details of behaviour cannot be seen and quantified adequately in the field, and therefore I have not ignored laboratory studies. However, even here I have concen trated on work that illustrates the variety of solutions that fish use to solve the three basic problems. Much important work, for instance on causation, development, and learning, is not included.

The U.S. Ocean Commission Report identified the need for regional ecosystem assessments to support coastal and ocean management. These assessments must provide greater understanding of physical and biological dynamics than assessments at global and national scales can provide but transcend state and local interests. This need and timeliness is apparent for Long Island Sound, where a multi-state regional restoration program is underway for America’s most urbanized estuary. Synthesis of the Long Island Sound ecosystem is needed to integrate knowledge across disciplines and provide insight into understanding and managing pressing issues, such as non-point sources of pollution, coastal development, global climatic change, and invasive species. Currently, there is a need for a comprehensive volume that summarizes the ecological and environmental dynamics and status of Long Island Sound and its myriad ecosystems. It has been 30 years since a comprehensive summary of Long Island Sound was prepared and 50 years since the pioneering work of Gordon Riley. Major advances in estuarine science are providing new insights into these systems, and yet, the condition of many estuaries is in decline in the face of continuing coastal development. There is an opportunity to lay a foundation for integrative coastal observing systems that truly provide the foundation for improved decision-making. This book will provide a key reference of our scientific understanding for work performed over the past three decades and guide future research and monitoring in a dynamic urbanized estuary.