1st Edition

Fishes Out of Water Biology and Ecology of Mudskippers

Edited By Zeehan Jaafar, Edward O. Murdy Copyright 2017
    410 Pages
    by CRC Press

    410 Pages 152 Color & 80 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    410 Pages 152 Color & 80 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Mudskippers are amphibious fishes native to the Indo-West Pacific and tropical western Africa. Unlike most fishes, mudskippers emerse to forage, find mates, and defend territories. Adaptations to their morphology, physiology and behavior enable mudskippers to accommodate both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. For these traits, mudskippers have long captured the fascination of scientists, naturalists, and fish hobbyists. Some mudskipper taxa (e.g. Periophthalmodon spp., Periophthalmus spp., Boleophthalmus spp.) are readily observed on mudflats and mangrove forests during the ebb tide. Correspondingly, these conspicuous and widespread taxa are relatively well-studied. The autecology and basic biology for the remaing taxa (e.g. Apocryptodon spp. and Oxuderces spp.) are still poorly understood.



    Fishes Out of Water: Biology and Ecology of Mudskippers is the first comprehensive book to synthesize published scientific information and observation on these fishes. Two dozen subject experts present thorough overviews in fifteen distinct chapters. Contents span mudskipper anatomy, distribution, systematics, physiology, ecology, and conservation. Unique adaptations to terrestriality are discussed within the context of each chapter foci.



    This authoritative reference equips the reader with the basic foundation to understand mudskipper biology and ecology, while providing a framework in which emerging data are discussed. The book will be of interest to a broad range of students, researchers, and professionals in ichthyology, evolution, ecology, animal behavior, and comparative physiology.

    Introduction. Taxonomy & Systematics. Distribution. Anatomy & Physiology. Age, Growth & Reproduction. Behavior & Feeding. Ecology. Mudskipper Husbandry.

    Biography

    Zeehan Jaafar, Edward O. Murdy

    Highly recommended by CHOICE (January 2018 Vol. 55 No. 5) for upper-division undergraduates and above; professionals and practitioners.

    This book is devoted to the biology of a distinct evolutionary group of fishes that belong to the family Gobiidae. The mudskippers are amphibious and are adapted for life on mudflats and mangrove forests. The 43 species are primarily found in the tropics of the Indo-West Pacific, but one species inhabits the Eastern Atlantic tropics. Much of their lives are spent out of the water where they find food, defend territories, breed, and construct tunnels to their nests. Although mudskippers have attracted the attention of biologists since the 17th century, this volume constitutes the first comprehensive review. The 15 chapters contain up-to-date information on mudskipper anatomy, physiology, distribution, systematics, ecology, and conservation. The illustrations, consisting of colored photos and full-page distribution maps, are of the highest quality. The 24 authors are recognized authorities within their special areas. The book is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Toru Takita, a pioneer in mudskipper study. Overall, this beautiful book is a tribute to its authors, editors, and CRC Press. --J. C. Briggs, Oregon State University

    This book is the first and only excellent synopsis of the actual knowledge on these strange but fascinating fishes. It is not only a valuable source for students and scientists involved in studies on mudskippers, but also for aquarists wanting to keep and breed these species. --Harro Hieronimus in Verlag Natur & Wissenschaft, July 2018