Biology and Physiology of Freshwater Neotropical Fish

Front matter
Copyright
Contributors
Phylogeny and classification of Neotropical fish
	Introduction
	Phylogenies and organization of biological diversity
	Phylogenetic relationships between groups of modern fish and the Tetrapodomorpha
	Diversification of Actinopterygii and main Neotropical lineages
	Diversity and classification of Neotropical Otophysa
	The Characiformes
	The Siluriformes
	The Gymnotiformes
	Diversity and classification of Neotropical Euteleosteomorpha
	The Cyprinodontiformes
	The Cichliformes
	What novelties are expected in the phylogeny and classification of the Neotropical fish?
	References
Anatomy of Teleosts and elasmobranchs
	Introduction
	Common features of the external and internal anatomy of fish
		Tegument
		Scales
		Fins
	General anatomy of Teleosts and elasmobranchs
		Digestive system
		Respiratory system
		Swim (gas) bladder
		Weberian apparatus
		Renal system
		Reproductive system
		Nervous system
		Endocrine system
	General anatomy of Neotropical Characins, Siluriform, and Cichlidae
		Pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1887)
		Silver catfish Rhamdia sp.
		Millet or pike cichlid Crenicichla sp.
	Final considerations
	References
	Further reading
The genetic bases of physiological processes in fish
	Introduction
	Genetic diversity and physiological adaptation
	Environmental cues and expression of genes involved in reproductive physiology
	Use of genetic tools in ecotoxicological studies with neotropical fish
	Triploidy induction in fish
	Transgenic fish in physiological studies
	References
	Further reading
Behavior and welfare
	Introduction
	Basis for the study of behavior
		What is behavior?
	Behavior structure
		Reflex behavior
		Taxis
			Inborn behavior (instinctive)
			Learning
				Classical or Pavlovian conditioning
				Operant conditioning
		Aggression and territoriality
		Behavioral basis and welfare
	Welfare
		Historical rudiments of considerations about animal feelings
		Reasons for debates on fish welfare
		How has sentience been studied in fish?
		Logical reasons for the fish suffering issue
		How to evaluate fish welfare?
		The personality of fish and their well-being
		The preference tests as indicators of conditions for well-being
		Concluding remarks
	References
	Further reading
Stress and immune system in fish
	Introduction
	Organization and mechanisms of the stress responses
		Primary stress responses: Alarm for the mobilization of biological systems of adaptation and resistance
		Secondary stress responses: Adaptive response to the maintenance of organic homeostasis
		Tertiary stress responses: Exhaustion of biological systems
	Fish immune system
		The innate and acquired immune system of teleost fish
		Cell-mediated immune system and humoral compounds
			Cell-mediated immune system
			Humoral immune system
	Stress, immune, and inflammatory responses: Changes in immunocompetence during stress response
		Immune system and modulation by catecholamines
		Immune system and modulation by cortisol
	Modulation of the immune system by immunostimulants
		Mechanism of action of immunostimulants
	Modulation of the immune system by cytokines
	Strategies to improve the health of neotropical freshwater fish
		The use of micronutrients as an immunomodulator
		Probiotics and prebiotics
		The immunostimulants
		Future perspectives and concluding remarks
	References
	Further reading
Evolution and physiology of electroreceptors and electric organs in Neotropical fish
	Introduction
		Phylogenetic occurrence of electroreceptors and electrical organs in vertebrates
		Passive and active electroreception
		Evolutionary aspects of the EES
	Electrical landscape: Current and voltage sources in aquatic environments
	Electroreceptor types and their basic physiological properties
	EOs, EODs, and their physiology
		EOD physiology
		EODs classification
	Electroreception in lampreys (order Petromyzontiformes)
	Electroreceptors and EOs in cartilaginous fish (Class Chondrichthyes)
		Anatomy and physiology of ampullary electroreceptors in cartilaginous fish
		Anatomy and physiology of EOs in rays
	Electroreception in lungfish, Lepidosiren (order Lepidosireniformes)
	Electroreception and EOs in catfish (order Siluriformes)
		Anatomy and physiology of electroreceptors in catfish
		Anatomy and physiology of EOs in catfish
	Electroreceptors and EOs in South American electric fish (order Gymnotiformes)
		Anatomy and physiology of ampullary electroreceptors in gymnotiforms
		Anatomy and physiology of tuberous electroreceptors in gymnotiforms
		Anatomy and physiology of electrical organs in gymnotiforms
	EOs in stargazers (Uranoscopidae)
	References
Color and physiology of pigmentation
	Introduction
	Pigmentary system
		The functions of chromatic patterns
	Pigment cells and pigments
	Mechanisms for moving pigment granules-motor proteins
	Chromatic adaptation
	Regulation of chromatic adaptation
		Primary response
		Secondary response
	Melanocyte-stimulating hormone α-MSH
	Melanin concentrating hormone (MCH)
	Catecholamines
	Melatonin
	Endothelins
	Action mechanisms (intracellular signaling pathways)
	Final considerations
	References
	Further reading
Cellular and molecular features of skeletal muscle growth and plasticity
	Structural and morphological organization of skeletal muscle
	Molecular control of skeletal muscle development
	Molecular control of postembrionary skeletal muscle growth
		Muscle anabolism
		Muscle catabolism
	MicroRNAs regulating skeletal muscle growth and phenotype
	Primary myoblast cell culture as an in vitro tool to study myogenesis
	References
	Further reading
The cardiovascular system
	Introduction
	Heart anatomy
	Genesis of cardiac contractility: The pacemaker tissue
	The action potential of atrial and ventricular myocytes
	The action potential conduction system
	Electrocardiogram
	The excitation-contraction coupling
	Heart rate, systolic volume, and cardiac output
	Control of cardiac function
	Effect of temperature
	Cardiac responses to hypoxia
	Cardiac responses to pollutants
	References
	Further reading
Breathing and respiratory adaptations
	Introduction
	Respiratory gases in natural waters
	Diffusion of gases and respiration
	Respiratory organs in fish
	Gills
		Organization and structure
		Gill epithelium
	Accessory organs for air breathing
	Gill morphometry and accessory organs in relation to respiratory function
	Respiration
	Oxygen consumption, metabolic rate, and respiratory variables
	Respiration and environment
		Hyperoxia
		Hypoxia
		Temperature
		Pollution
		Breath control
	References
	Further reading
Nutrition and functional aspects of digestion in fish
	Introduction
	Nutrients
	Macronutrients
		Proteins
		Carbohydrates
		Lipids
	Micronutrients
		Vitamins
		Nutrition Supplements
		Minerals
	Digestion in fish: general features
	Morphological features of the digestive tract
	Functional features of the digestive tract
	Sections of the digestive tract
		Mouth and pharynx
		Esophagus
		Stomach
		Intestine
		Liver and pancreas
	Evolution of digestive processes and aspects of nutritional ecology
		The food habit
		Diet adaptations
	Functional aspects of the digestive system
		The digestive processes
	Characteristics of digestive enzymes
	Classification of digestive enzymes
		Proteases
		Pepsin
		Trypsin and chymotrypsin
		Lipases
		Carbohydrases
		Amylase
		Chitinase
		Cellulase
		Disaccharidases
	Accessory enzymes of the digestive process
	Digestion, digestive transit, and absorption
	Final considerations
	References
	Further reading
Osmotic and ionic regulation
	Introduction
	Organs involved in osmoregulation
		Epithelia
		Gills
		Gastrointestinal tract
		Renal system
	Hypoxia and osmoregulation
	Osmoregulation and pH
	Water hardness and osmoregulation
	Dissolved organic matter and osmoregulation
	Conclusions
	References
	Further reading
Reproduction and embryogenesis
	General overview
	Structural organization of the gonads
	First sexual maturation
	Gonadal maturity stages
	Biological indices
	Endocrine disruption
	Ovulation and spawning
	Ovarian remodeling after spawning
	Reproductive period and spawning season
	Fecundity
	Types of eggs and fertilization
	Embryonic development
		Zygote
		Cleavage
		Blastula
		Gastrula
		Blastopore closure
		Germ layer differentiation
		Somitogenesis
		Hatching
	References
	Further reading
The brain-pituitary-gonad axis and the gametogenesis
	Introduction
	Hypothalamus
	Pituitary gland
		Adenohypophysis
		Neurohypophysis
	Oogenesis
		Dynamics of oocyte development and spawning types in freshwater fish used in fish farming
		Oocyte development in neotropical migratory fish
		Early oocyte development
		Oogonia
		Primary oocytes in the ``single nucleolus´´ stage
		Primary ``perinucleolar´´ oocytes
		Vitellogenesis
		Hormonal control of oogenesis
	Spermatogenesis
		Morphology of testis
		Male reproductive cycle
		Structure of the spermatozoa
		Hormonal control of the spermatogenesis
	References
Index