Biology of Bats

Biology of Bats, Volume I, examines most of the basic characteristics related to the anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology of the bat. It covers the animal's evolution, as well as karyology, bioeconomics, zoogeography, principles of classification, and procedures and issues involved in the care and management of bats as research subjects in the laboratory.
Organized into 10 chapters, this volume begins with a historical overview of bat origins and evolution, karyotypic trends in bats, and the role of karyotypes in studying the biology of bats. It then discusses the bat skeletal and muscular systems; flight patterns and aerodynamics; prenatal and postnatal development; migration and homing; ecology and physiological ecology of bat hibernation; thermoregulation and metabolism; and the urinary system, including gross anatomy and embryology, histophysiology, and renal physiology. It also looks at morphological contrasts between the skulls and dentitions of different families and genera of bats.
This book will benefit biologists, zoologists, teachers, and others concerned with the general biology of Chiroptera.

Contenu

List of Contributors
Preface

1. Bat Origins and Evolution
   I. First Bats and Men
   II. What Are Bats?
   III. Bats through Time
   IV. Taxa of Bats
   V. Fossil Bats
   VI. Designs of Wings
   VII. Caverns and Crevices
   VIII. Bats and Birds
   IX. Bat Hand-Wings or Wing-Hands
   X. Gliders Don't Fly and Vice Versa
   XI. The Forefinger, Index of Function
   XII. Neck Bones
   XIII. Stages to Flight
   XIV. Icaronycteris index
   XV. "First" Bat at Present
   References
   2 Karyotypic Trends in Bats
   I. Introduction
   II. Karyotypic Trends
   III. The Primitive Karyotype of Bats
   IV. Role of Karyotypes in Studying the Biology of Bats
   V. Specimens Examined
   References
   3 The Skeletal System
   I. Introduction
   II. The Skull
   III. Axial Skeleton
   IV. Pectoral Girdle and Limb
   V. Pelvic Girdle and Limb
   VI. Skeletal Variation in Bats
   References
   4 The Muscular System
   I. Introduction
   II. Muscles Unique to Bats
   III. Muscles of the Pectoral Girdle and Limb
   IV. Muscles Attaching to the Pelvic Girdle and Limb
   V. Chiropteran Muscle Specializations for Flight
   References
   5 Flight Patterns and Aerodynamics
   I. Introduction
   II. Aerodynamic Considerations
   III. The Wing-beat Cycle
   IV. Styles of Flight
   References
   6 Development: Prenatal and Postnatal
   I. Introduction
   II. Prenatal Development
   III. Postnatal Development
   References
   7 Migrations and Homing of Bats
   I. Observational Evidence of Migration
   II. Tracing Migrations by Recoveries of Banded Bats
   III. The Homing Ability of Bats
   IV. The Sensory Basis of Orientation
   References
   8 Hibernation: Ecology and Physiological Ecology
   I. Introduction
   II. Temperature
   III. Water
   IV. Fat
   References
   9 Thermoregulation and Metabolism in Bats
   I. Introduction
   II. Generalizations Concerning Temperature Regulation in Mammals
   III. The Homeotherms
   IV. Tropical Microchiroptera
   V. Temperate Zone Microchiroptera
   References
   10 Urinary System
   I. Introduction
   II. Gross Anatomy and Embryology
   III. Conventional Microscopic Anatomy
   IV. Histophysiology
   V. Renal Physiology
   References
   Author Index
   Subject Index