The biology of Latimeria chalumnae and evolution of coelacanths

Front Matter....Pages 1-8
Prelude: the mystery of a persistent life form....Pages 9-14
Introduction: the recent chronology and contributions....Pages 15-20
Front Matter....Pages 21-22
Patterns, trends, and rates of evolution within the Actinistia....Pages 23-58
Diversity of Extinct and Living Actinistian Fishes (Sarcopterygii)....Pages 59-74
 Latimeria chalumnae and its pedigree....Pages 75-98
A phylogenetic analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA sequence of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae ....Pages 99-118
The relationships of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae : evidence from sequences of vertebrate 28S ribosomal RNA genes....Pages 119-130
Central nervous system myelin proteins of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae: phylogenetic implications....Pages 131-143
Front Matter....Pages 145-146
Innervation of the basicranial muscle of Latimeria chalumnae ....Pages 147-158
Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies of Latimeria chalumnae ....Pages 159-181
CT scan reconstruction of the palate region of Latimeria chalumnae ....Pages 183-192
Enzymes of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae evidenced by starch gel electrophoresis....Pages 193-198
Guppies, toadfish, lungfish, coelacanths and frogs: a scenario for the evolution of urea retention in fishes....Pages 199-218
Urea and chloride sensitivities of coelacanth hemoglobin....Pages 219-222
Front Matter....Pages 223-224
Viviparity and the maternal-embryonic relationship in the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae ....Pages 225-248
Probable evolution of the coelacanth’s reproductive style: lecithotrophy and orally feeding embryos in cichlid fishes and in Latimeria chalumnae ....Pages 249-266
Observations on locomotion and feeding of released coelacanths, Latimeria chalumnae ....Pages 267-274
Stomach contents of Latimeria chalumnae and further notes on its feeding habits....Pages 275-280
Juvenile anisakine parasites from the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae ....Pages 281-284
Front Matter....Pages 285-286
Habitat and population size of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae at Grand Comoro....Pages 287-300
Front Matter....Pages 285-286
The demography of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae ....Pages 301-312
The ecology and conservation of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae ....Pages 313-340
The fishery of the comoros, with comments on its possible impact on coelacanth survival....Pages 341-360
Occurrence of organochlorine contaminants in tissues of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae ....Pages 361-368
Front Matter....Pages 369-370
An inventory of all known specimens of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae , with comments on trends in the catches....Pages 371-390
Literature relating to fossil coelacanths....Pages 391-402
Bibliography of the living coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae , with comments on publication trends....Pages 403-434
Back Matter....Pages 435-446