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The visual system of fish
BOOK REVIEWS
271
final chapters deal with dynamics of population abundance and production, life history strategies, and fish assemblages. Each chapter is followed by a useful summary of its main points and the arrangement of the chapters corresponds approximately to the sequence in which the ecology of a species can be analysed. The text is written in a clear, concise and readable style and there are rew typographical errors. The subject coverage is wide and specific examples drawn from research papers are used to illustrate general principles. There is a useful mix of theory and practice. In the chapters on feeding and growth, for example, descriptions of methods of dietary analysis and of ageing precede discussions of feeding behaviour and growth models, respectively. The figures are clear and complement the text well but in these days of accessible computer graphics they could, perhaps, have been more professionally lettered. The bibliography is extensive (> 800 references) and up to date (most papers quoted were written after 1980). There is a subject and a species index. The latter is particularly useful because r ach species listed is accompanied by its common name, family and order. Such information enables readers to identify the taxonomic position of any unfamiliar species used as examples. Overall, Ecology of teleostfishes represents very good value for money, especially in these days of high book prices, and will be welcomed both as an excellent introduction to the subject for the novice and as a source and starting point for more experienced workers. I have no doubt that it will become a standard work and I certainly expect to refer to it a great deal in the future. R.N. Gibson, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, PO Box 3, Oban, Argyll PA34 4AD, UK
The visual system offish, edited by Ron H. Douglas and Mustafa B.A. Djamgoz; Chapman & Hall, London; 1990; xiii + 526 pp.; GBP 49.00; ISBN 0-412-33050-4. Vision in fish has been a rich field of research for many decades. Because fish are found in such varied photic environments - from the dark abyss to the mesopelagic and surface zones of the oceans, in turbid coastal waters and estuaries, and in rivers and lakes - all with different degrees of light penetration and different colour transmission characteristics - they have evolved many interesting variations on the theme of the typical vertebrate eye. In dark conditions many species of fish manufacture their own light (but the linking topic of bioluminescence is only mentioned in passing in this volume). The editors are to be congratulated on assembling a group of such talented authors. There are chapters on the underwater visual environment, the optical system of fishes,
272
BOOK REVIEWS
optical variability of the fish lens, visual pigments, retinal structure, electrophysiology of retinal neurones, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators of the retina, tectal morphology, tectal physiology, visual pathways, beha:,ioural studies of fish vision, development, a case study of a cichlid Haplochromis, elasmobranch vision and visual adaptations to the environment. In addition, there is an adequate species and subject index. The chapters are authoritive and well integrated within the book. They are aimed at the research worker but with sufficient introductory material to allow reading by experimental biologists other than those interested in vision. If the book has a weakness (and the editors apologize in advance for omissions), it is in the treatment of fish vision as related to behavioural ecology. There is no attempt to bring together the role of light and vision in feeding, rhythmical behaviour (e.g., vertical migration), sun orientation, courtship and schooling. The effect of light on the endocrine system and the pathways involved, the dermal light sense and the pineal receive scant treatment. Some of the most interesting recent research developments that are described concern the organization of retinal connections, retinal neurotransmitters, tectal and non-tectal processing of signals from the retina and UV sensitivity in a dozen freshwater species. The book is strong on these aspects of visual physiology and good in the immediate linking of visual adaptations to environmental characteristics. It tends to be weak in considering the ultimate responses of the organism to stimulation by light. The problem of getting so many authors to meet a deadline must have been daunting. An analysis of the bibliographies (placed, to the reviewer's approval, at the end of each chapter) suggests that 1988 is the latest year for citations although a few 1989 references are to be seen in the editors' chapters. This book is certainly the best compendium of fish vision research since Ali (1975) although mention should be made of Nicol (1989) which is a single-author text book and aimed at a less-advanced audience. REFERENCES
Aii, M.A., 1975. Editor, Vision infishes. Plenum Press, New York, 836 pp. Nicol, J. A.C., 1989. The eyes offishes. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 308 pp. J.H.S. Blaxter, Scottish Marine Biological Association, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, PO Box 3, Oban, Argyll PA34 4AD, UK
271
final chapters deal with dynamics of population abundance and production, life history strategies, and fish assemblages. Each chapter is followed by a useful summary of its main points and the arrangement of the chapters corresponds approximately to the sequence in which the ecology of a species can be analysed. The text is written in a clear, concise and readable style and there are rew typographical errors. The subject coverage is wide and specific examples drawn from research papers are used to illustrate general principles. There is a useful mix of theory and practice. In the chapters on feeding and growth, for example, descriptions of methods of dietary analysis and of ageing precede discussions of feeding behaviour and growth models, respectively. The figures are clear and complement the text well but in these days of accessible computer graphics they could, perhaps, have been more professionally lettered. The bibliography is extensive (> 800 references) and up to date (most papers quoted were written after 1980). There is a subject and a species index. The latter is particularly useful because r ach species listed is accompanied by its common name, family and order. Such information enables readers to identify the taxonomic position of any unfamiliar species used as examples. Overall, Ecology of teleostfishes represents very good value for money, especially in these days of high book prices, and will be welcomed both as an excellent introduction to the subject for the novice and as a source and starting point for more experienced workers. I have no doubt that it will become a standard work and I certainly expect to refer to it a great deal in the future. R.N. Gibson, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, PO Box 3, Oban, Argyll PA34 4AD, UK
The visual system offish, edited by Ron H. Douglas and Mustafa B.A. Djamgoz; Chapman & Hall, London; 1990; xiii + 526 pp.; GBP 49.00; ISBN 0-412-33050-4. Vision in fish has been a rich field of research for many decades. Because fish are found in such varied photic environments - from the dark abyss to the mesopelagic and surface zones of the oceans, in turbid coastal waters and estuaries, and in rivers and lakes - all with different degrees of light penetration and different colour transmission characteristics - they have evolved many interesting variations on the theme of the typical vertebrate eye. In dark conditions many species of fish manufacture their own light (but the linking topic of bioluminescence is only mentioned in passing in this volume). The editors are to be congratulated on assembling a group of such talented authors. There are chapters on the underwater visual environment, the optical system of fishes,
272
BOOK REVIEWS
optical variability of the fish lens, visual pigments, retinal structure, electrophysiology of retinal neurones, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators of the retina, tectal morphology, tectal physiology, visual pathways, beha:,ioural studies of fish vision, development, a case study of a cichlid Haplochromis, elasmobranch vision and visual adaptations to the environment. In addition, there is an adequate species and subject index. The chapters are authoritive and well integrated within the book. They are aimed at the research worker but with sufficient introductory material to allow reading by experimental biologists other than those interested in vision. If the book has a weakness (and the editors apologize in advance for omissions), it is in the treatment of fish vision as related to behavioural ecology. There is no attempt to bring together the role of light and vision in feeding, rhythmical behaviour (e.g., vertical migration), sun orientation, courtship and schooling. The effect of light on the endocrine system and the pathways involved, the dermal light sense and the pineal receive scant treatment. Some of the most interesting recent research developments that are described concern the organization of retinal connections, retinal neurotransmitters, tectal and non-tectal processing of signals from the retina and UV sensitivity in a dozen freshwater species. The book is strong on these aspects of visual physiology and good in the immediate linking of visual adaptations to environmental characteristics. It tends to be weak in considering the ultimate responses of the organism to stimulation by light. The problem of getting so many authors to meet a deadline must have been daunting. An analysis of the bibliographies (placed, to the reviewer's approval, at the end of each chapter) suggests that 1988 is the latest year for citations although a few 1989 references are to be seen in the editors' chapters. This book is certainly the best compendium of fish vision research since Ali (1975) although mention should be made of Nicol (1989) which is a single-author text book and aimed at a less-advanced audience. REFERENCES
Aii, M.A., 1975. Editor, Vision infishes. Plenum Press, New York, 836 pp. Nicol, J. A.C., 1989. The eyes offishes. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 308 pp. J.H.S. Blaxter, Scottish Marine Biological Association, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, PO Box 3, Oban, Argyll PA34 4AD, UK