In the comparative physiology of photoreception by the Protista and the invertebrates two aspects are emphasized: (1) the diversity of visual processes in these groups and (2) their bearing upon general mechanisms of photoreception. Invertebrates have evolved a far greater variety of adaptations than vertebrates modifications aiding survival in the remarkably different biotopes they occupy. The number of species in itself suggests this multiformity; each of them has peculiarities of its own, in morphology as well as in physiology and behavior. But these special adaptations are variations on a few great themes. Although the catalogue of invertebrate species is immense, the literature concerning them nearly rivals it in extent-even if one considers only that fraction dealing with visual physiology. Taxonomy proceeds by grouping the species, categorizing them in genera, families, orders, and progressively larger units. Similarly, comparative physiology aims at an analogous, more or less compre hensive, classification. This Part A of Volume VII/6, like Part B that follows it, emphasizes the broad questions that concern groups larger than the individual species; in some cases these questions have general applicability. The middle course between approaches that are too specialized and those that are too general is often elusive, but here we attempt to follow it. The vast number of special adaptations-probably, as we have said, as large as the number of species-is beyond the range even of a handbook.
Authors, Editors and Affiliations
Zoologisches Institut der Universität, München, Germany
H. Autrum,
H. Autrum
Department of Biology, Colby College, Waterville, USA
M. F. Bennett
Department of Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, USA
B. Diehn
Tierphysiologisches Institut der Ruhr-Universität, 463 Bochum-Querenburg, Germany
K. Hamdorf
Institut für Genetik und Mikrobiologie der Universität, Würzburg, Germany
M. Heisenberg
Department of Physiology, University of Oulu, Oulu 22, Finland
M. Järvilehto
Biologisches Institut der Universität, Stuttgart 60, Germany
P. Kunze
Institut für Tierphysiologie, Freie Universität FB 2, Berlin 41, Germany
R. Menzel
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
W. H. Miller
The Institute of Advanced Studies, Research Schools of Biological and Physical Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
A. W. Snyder
Department of Physics, Laboratorium voor Algememe Natuur-kunde, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
D. G. Stavenga
Tamano Marine Laboratory, Tamano, Okyama, Japan
M. Yoshida
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Comparative Physiology and Evolution of Vision in Invertebrates
Book Subtitle: A: Invertebrate Photoreceptors
Authors: H. Autrum, M. F. Bennett, B. Diehn, K. Hamdorf, M. Heisenberg, M. Järvilehto, P. Kunze, R. Menzel, W. H. Miller, A. W. Snyder, D. G. Stavenga, … M. Yoshida
