The Reproduction of Vertebrates

The Reproduction of Vertebrates describes the vertebrate reproductive systems in an evolutionary sequence and according to taxonomic classes.
This book is divided into seven chapters; each chapter tackles a specific vertebrate class. This text specifically considers fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and man. Discussions in each chapter include these species' evolutionary history, classification, external indications of sex, mating, fertilization, development, endocrinology, breeding seasons, sexual maturation, migration, response to environmental factors, and economic importance. The concluding chapter presents the comparative aspects of reproduction of these vertebrates.
This text is of great value to teachers and students who are interested in the vertebrate reproductive system.

Contenu

Preface

1. Fish
   Evolutionary History
   Classification of Living Fish
   Gonads and Their Ducts
   External Indications of Sex
   Mating and Fertilization
   The Placement of Eggs and Their Parental Care
   Development inside the Female ( Ovoviviparity and Viviparity)
   Endocrinology
   Breeding Seasons
   Sexual Maturation and Frequency of Breeding by Individuals
   Environmental Factors and Fish Breeding
   Migration and Breeding
   Economic Importance of the Study of Fish Reproduction
2. Amphibians
   Evolutionary History
   Classification
   Gonads and Their Ducts
   External Indications of Sex
   Mating and Fertilization
   Location of Eggs and Their Care after Spawning
   Development inside the Female
   Endocrinology
   Breeding Seasons
   Sexual Maturation and Frequency of Individual Reproduction
   Environmental Factors
   Migration and Breeding
   Hibernation, Aestivation, and Breeding
3. Reptiles
   Evolutionary History
   Classification
   Gonads and Their Ducts
   External Indications of Sex
   Courtship, Copulation, and Fertilization
   The Cleidoic ( Amniote ) Egg and the Removal of Nitrogenous Wastes
   The Types, Care, and Hatching of Eggs
   Development inside the Female
   Endocrinology
   Breeding Seasons
   Puberty and Frequency of Breeding by the Individual
   Environmental Factors and Breeding
   Migration and Breeding
   Hibernation, Aestivation, and Breeding
   Economic Importance
4. Birds
   Evolutionary History
   Classification
   Gonads and Their Ducts
   External Indications of Sex
   Territory, Courtship, and Nest Construction
   Copulation and Fertilization
   The Avian Egg
   Egg Laying and Clutch Size
   Incubation and Hatching
   Parental Care and Survival after Hatching
   Endocrinology
   Breeding Seasons
   Age to Sexual Maturity
   Environmental Factors in Breeding
   Migration and Breeding
   Economic Value of Avian Breeding
5. Mammals
   Evolutionary History
   Classification
   Gonads and Their Ducts
   External Indications of Sex
   The Estrous Cycle
   Copulation and Fertilization
   Pregnancy and Placentation
   Delayed Implantation
   Parturition
   Litter Size
   Lactation and Parental Care
   Endocrinology
   Breeding Seasons
   Puberty and Frequency of Breeding by Individuals
   Environmental Factors and Breeding
   Migration and Breeding
   Hibernation and Breeding
   Economic Importance of Mammalian Breeding
   Artificial Control of Mammalian Breeding
6. Man
   Evolutionary History and Classification
   Gonads and Their Ducts
   External Indications of Sex
   The Menstrual Cycle
   Copulation and Fertilization
   The Control of Human Fertility
   Pregnancy
   Parturition
   Lactation
   Endocrinology
   Breeding Seasons
   Puberty and Length of Reproductive Life
7. Comparative Aspects of Vertebrate Reproduction
   Gonads and Their Ducts
   External Indications of Sex
   Courtship, Copulation, and Fertilization
   Eggs and Their Care
   Viviparity
   Breeding Seasons and the Environment
   Bibliography
   Subject Index