The Hawaiian Honeycreepers
The Hawaiian Honeycreepers

Author: H. Douglas Pratt

Publisher: OUP Oxford

Published: 2005-05-12

Total Pages: 361

ISBN-13: 0191524034

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The Hawaiian Honeycreepers are typified by nectar feeding, their bright colouration, and canary-like songs. They are considered one of the finest examples of adaptive radiation, even more diverse than Darwin's Galapagos finches, as a wide array of different species has evolved in all the different niches provided by the Hawaiian archipelago. The book will therefore be of interest to evolutionary biologists and ecologists, as well as professional ornithologists and amateur bird watchers. As with the other books in the Bird Family of the World series, the work is divided into two main sections. Part I is an overview of the Hawaiian Honeycreeper evolution and natural history and Part II comprises accounts of each species. The author has produced his own outstanding illustrations of these birds to accompany his text.

Developmental Plasticity and Evolution
Developmental Plasticity and Evolution

Author: Mary Jane West-Eberhard

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2003-04-10

Total Pages: 820

ISBN-13: 9780195122350

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West-Eberhard is widely recognized as one of the most incisive thinkers in evolutionary biology. This book assesses all the evidence for our current understanding of the role of changes in body plan and development for the process of speciation. The process of evolution is systematically reassessed to integrate the insights coming from developmental genetics. Every serious student of evolution, and a substantial share of developmental biologists and geneticists, will need to take note of this contribution. The timing is clearly ripe for the synthesis that this work will help bring about.

Biology and Comparative Physiology of Birds
Biology and Comparative Physiology of Birds

Author: A. J. Marshall

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2013-10-22

Total Pages: 531

ISBN-13: 1483263797

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Biology and Comparative Physiology of Birds, Volume I focuses on the physiology, classification, characteristics, and geographical distribution, as well as the digestive, blood, and nervous systems, of birds. The selection first offers information on the origin of birds and adaptive radiation in birds. Discussions focus on relative resemblances of archaeopteryx to reptiles and birds, development of homoiothermy, locomotor and feeding adaptations, and adaptive radiation within families of birds. The book also examines the classification of birds and geographical distribution of living birds. The publication takes a look at the development of birds and integumentary system. Concerns include body shape, blood, urogenital, and nervous systems, muscles and limbs, endocrine organs, feathers, and development of patterns of melanin pigmentation. The book also ponders on skeleton, digestive system, and muscle structure of birds. The selection is a vital source of information for readers interested in the physiology of birds.