This book explains how the beautiful goldfish body develops from a single fertilized egg and how this developmental process was changed during the process of domestication. The contents can be categorized as follows: i) numerous high-quality live photo images of embryonic and larval stage goldfish, ii) detailed descriptions of skeletogenesis with fluorescent microscopic and histological images, iii) the most advanced interpretation of the relationship between artificial selection and developmental processes, iv) future perspectives of the application of the genome editing techniques for the ornamental goldfish breeding, and v) methodological descriptions for goldfish developmental biology.

The Lymnaeidae (also known as ‘pond snails’) are a species-rich and globally distributed family of freshwater snails, many species of which are known to be hosts of parasitic trematodes (such as the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica). Written by world-leading experts in the field, this book covers a wealth of topics ranging from the phylogeny and taxonomy of lymnaeid snails to their relationships with helminths and their impact on public and veterinary health. It provides an overview of the species richness, evolution, ecology, biogeography and fossil record of the family. A considerable number of chapters are devoted to the economic and medical importance of lymnaeids, their involvement in the transmission of fascioliasis and other zoonotic diseases. Special chapters deal with the molecular and morphological identification of the Lymnaeidae, their rearing in the laboratory and experimental approaches to their study.

This book explains how the beautiful goldfish body develops from a single fertilized egg and how this developmental process was changed during the process of domestication. The contents can be categorized as follows: i) numerous high-quality live photo images of embryonic and larval stage goldfish, ii) detailed descriptions of skeletogenesis with fluorescent microscopic and histological images, iii) the most advanced interpretation of the relationship between artificial selection and developmental processes, iv) future perspectives of the application of the genome editing techniques for the ornamental goldfish breeding, and v) methodological descriptions for goldfish developmental biology.

This book discusses the natural classification and biosystematics of Triticeae and presents the most significant findings of comprehensive studies on the Triticeae, an important tribe in the grass family (Poaceae) that includes major crops such as wheat, barley, rye, and triticale, as well as various forage crops found in different genera. The five-volume Chinese version of Biosystematics of Triticeae was published in 1998, 2004, 2006, 2011, and 2013, and included the 30 genera, two subgenera, 464 species, nine subspecies, and 186 varieties of Triticeae identified to date. This is their English edition.

The Theraphosidae are the most famous and diverse mygalomorph spiders, and include some of the largest arachnids on earth. Their unique defense mechanisms, predatory tactics, reproductive strategies and ecological adaptations are displayed by a wide range of terrestrial, burrowing and arboreal species.

This book combines documentation and analysis of the contents of exhibits in 12 museums (Part 1) with interviews with experts involved in the creation of exhibits (Part 2) to explore variation in human evolution exhibits.

This book starts from the very beginning of the cultural exchanges between China and the western regions, to the exchanges in modern times, featuring large time span and interdisciplinarity. In addition to elaborate illustrations including precious pictures and sketch maps, a large amount of archaeological data, as well as both Chinese and foreign literature, are employed in the book to provide the readers with a comprehensive, in-depth and systematic introduction of the cultural exchanges between China and the west regions from neolithic age to present China after Reform and Opening Up. The intended readership includes professionals, college students, graduates specializing in Chinese history, philosophy and culture, as well as those interested in oriental civilizations.

The Theraphosidae are the most famous and diverse mygalomorph spiders, and include some of the largest arachnids on earth. Their unique defense mechanisms, predatory tactics, reproductive strategies and ecological adaptations are displayed by a wide range of terrestrial, burrowing and arboreal species.

Every cell, tissue, organ and organism is competent to use signs to exchange information reaching common coordinations and organisations of both single cell and group behavior. These sign-mediated interactions we term biological communication. The regulatory system that works in development, morphology, cell fate and identity, physiology, genetic instructions, immunity, memory/learning, physical and mental disease depends on epigenetic marks. The communication of cells, persistent viruses and their defectives such as mobile genetic elements and RNA networks ensures both the transport of regulatory instructions and the reprogramming of these instructions. But how are the different states of the epigenome orchestrated? The epigenetic pathways respond to various signaling cues such as DNA methylation, histone variants, histone modifications, chromatin structure, nucleosome remodeling, and epigenetic interactions. Epigenetic signals are responsible for the establishment, maintenance and reversal of transcriptional states that are fundamental for the cell's ability to memorize past events, such as changes in the external environment, socio-sphere or developmental cues.

This book explains how the beautiful goldfish body develops from a single fertilized egg and how this developmental process was changed during the process of domestication. The contents can be categorized as follows: i) numerous high-quality live photo images of embryonic and larval stage goldfish, ii) detailed descriptions of skeletogenesis with fluorescent microscopic and histological images, iii) the most advanced interpretation of the relationship between artificial selection and developmental processes, iv) future perspectives of the application of the genome editing techniques for the ornamental goldfish breeding, and v) methodological descriptions for goldfish developmental biology.

This book explores the notion of organismal agency from the perspective of both philosophy and biology. The two sections of the book delve into parallel themes, including distinctions between organic and inorganic nature, self-organization, autonomy, self-presentation, memory, umwelt, and environmental influence. The philosophical part focuses on the influential thinkers who shaped our perception of living entities beyond mere mechanisms. It scrutinizes the concepts of organism and nature in the works of Aristotle, Kant, Schelling, and various processualists. Each chapter explores facets of their ideas that directly or indirectly foreshadowed or contributed to the formulation of the concept of agency. The biological part of the book investigates various concepts associated with agency such as experience, meaning attribution, and phenotypic plasticity, as well as reproduction, organisational constraints, modularity, development of integrated phenotypes, organismal choices, or self-representation through animal organisation. In essence, this work offers a comprehensive examination of organismal agency and its philosophical and biological foundations. Collaboratively authored by individuals from several institutions, this publication caters primarily to researchers and students working at the intersection of philosophy and biology.

The plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus) is a remarkable rodent of the Neotropic given several peculiar aspects of its biology, some of them quite unique among rodents or even among mammals. This book gathers specialists studying plains vizcachas from very different approaches, including paleontology, systematics, morphology, physiology, development and conservation. It is divided in two Parts, 1) Evolutionary History, and 2) Morphology, Development and Physiology. It will surely be a required reading for any researcher working with caviomorph rodents, mastozoology of the Neotropics or internal anatomy and physiology of mammals.