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  • © 2019

Feeding in Vertebrates

Evolution, Morphology, Behavior, Biomechanics

  • Covers functional questions on trophic behavior in nearly all vertebrate lineages, so as to provide major baselines for understanding the functioning of these organisms
  • Presents the mechanisms underlying the diversity of vertebrates in aquatic and terrestrial environments within the latest phylogenetic contexts, using a comparative approach
  • Offers a global perspective presented by leading experts from Europe, the USA, Australia, and South Africa

Part of the book series: Fascinating Life Sciences (FLS)

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Table of contents (21 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
  2. Anatomy, Biomechanics and Behavior in Chordate and Vertebrate Lineages

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 187-187
    2. Feeding in Jawless Fishes

      • Andrew J. Clark, Theodore A. Uyeno
      Pages 189-230
    3. Feeding in Cartilaginous Fishes: An Interdisciplinary Synthesis

      • Daniel Huber, Cheryl Wilga, Mason Dean, Lara Ferry, Jayne Gardiner, Laura Habegger et al.
      Pages 231-295
    4. Functional Morphology and Biomechanics of Feeding in Fishes

      • Nicholas J. Gidmark, Kelsie Pos, Bonne Matheson, Esai Ponce, Mark W. Westneat
      Pages 297-332
    5. Evolutionary Specialization of the Tongue in Vertebrates: Structure and Function

      • Shin-ichi Iwasaki, Serkan Erdoğan, Tomoichiro Asami
      Pages 333-384
    6. Tetrapod Teeth: Diversity, Evolution, and Function

      • Peter S. Ungar, Hans-Dieter Sues
      Pages 385-429
    7. Feeding in Amphibians: Evolutionary Transformations and Phenotypic Diversity as Drivers of Feeding System Diversity

      • Anthony Herrel, James C. O’Reilly, Anne-Claire Fabre, Carla Bardua, Aurélien Lowie, Renaud Boistel et al.
      Pages 431-467
    8. Feeding in Lizards: Form–Function and Complex Multifunctional System

      • Vincent Bels, Anne-Sophie Paindavoine, Leïla-Nastasia Zghikh, Emeline Paulet, Jean-Pierre Pallandre, Stéphane J. Montuelle
      Pages 469-525
    9. Feeding in Snakes: Form, Function, and Evolution of the Feeding System

      • Brad R. Moon, David A. Penning, Marion Segall, Anthony Herrel
      Pages 527-574
    10. Feeding in Crocodylians and Their Relatives: Functional Insights from Ontogeny and Evolution

      • Paul M. Gignac, Haley D. O’Brien, Alan H. Turner, Gregory M. Erickson
      Pages 575-610
    11. Feeding in Turtles: Understanding Terrestrial and Aquatic Feeding in a Diverse but Monophyletic Group

      • Patrick Lemell, Nikolay Natchev, Christian Josef Beisser, Egon Heiss
      Pages 611-642
    12. Feeding in Birds: Thriving in Terrestrial, Aquatic, and Aerial Niches

      • Alejandro Rico-Guevara, Diego Sustaita, Sander Gussekloo, Aaron Olsen, Jen Bright, Clay Corbin et al.
      Pages 643-693

About this book

This book provides students and researchers with reviews of biological questions related to the evolution of feeding by vertebrates in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Based on recent technical developments and novel conceptual approaches, the book covers functional questions on trophic behavior in nearly all vertebrate groups including jawless fishes. The book describes mechanisms and theories for understanding the relationships between feeding structure and feeding behavior. Finally, the book demonstrates the importance of adopting an integrative approach to the trophic system in order to understand evolutionary mechanisms across the biodiversity of vertebrates.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Institut Systématique Evolution Biodiversité – UMR 7205 CNRS/MNHN/Sorbonne Université/EPHE/UA, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, France

    Vincent Bels

  • Canadian Center for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada

    Ian Q. Whishaw

About the editors

Vincent Bels was born in Verviers, Belgium. His Ph.D. in Ethology and Functional Morphology at the University of Liège (Liège, Belgium) integrated theoretical concepts on morphology in feeding animals. He has used lizards as a model to clarify the process of behavioral ritualization in evolution. After completing his studies, he served as a Research Fellow and then Assistant at the University of Liège (Belgium). He then taught Biology, Zoology and Ecology and developed applied research methods for studying feeding behavior in domestic animals at the Hautes Ecoles (Hainaut, Belgium) and the Associated Agronomic Centre (Belgium). He is currently a Professor at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris, France), where he has served as joint director of one Research Mixed Unit (CNRS/MNHN, France). He has taught Functional Morphology at the University of Mons (Belgium). Professor Bels belongs to the Scientific Committee of the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris, France), and serves in Scientific Sections of the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS, France). He has authored over 90 peer-reviewed articles, 10 book chapters, and 6 books on feeding and locomotion in vertebrates. In 1994, he edited “Biomechanics of Feeding in Vertebrates” in the series Advances in Comparative and Environmental Physiology (volume 18) published by Springer. Professor Bels’ research chiefly focuses on feeding, drinking and displays in lizards, turtles and birds, but he has also studied feeding and the relation between feeding and locomotion in vertebrates. His research goal is to integrate behavioral, physiological and morphological science into a comprehensive understanding of the “Form-Function” relationship of the trophic system in vertebrates.

Ian Q. Whishaw received his Ph.D. from Western University and is a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge. He has held visiting appointments at the University of Texas, University of Michigan, Cambridge University, and the University of Strasbourg. He is a fellow of Clair Hall, Cambridge, the Canadian Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, and the Royal Society of Canada. He is a recipient the Canadian Humane Society Bronze medal for bravery, the Ingrid Speaker Gold medal for research, the distinguished teaching medal from the University of Lethbridge and the Donald O Hebb Prize. He has received the Key to the City of Lethbridge and has honorary doctorates from Thompson Rivers University and the University of Lethbridge. He is a coauthor of a major introductory textbook in Behavioural Neuroscience and a major senior textbook in Neuropsychology. His research addresses the neural basis of skilled movement and the neural basis of brain disease. The Institute for Scientific Information includes him in its list of most cited neuroscientists. His hobby is training horses for western performance events.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access