Fish Chemosenses (Teleostean Fish Biology: A Comprehensive Examination of Major Taxa)

This book deals with chemosensory systems of fishes and covers the well known olfactory and the gustatory senses as well as the less popular solitary chemosensory cells. Chemosenses play an essential role in the life of a fish. They help fish in their search for food, to consume it and digest it. They also help fish to find their conspecifics and to avoid enemies or predators. Fish live in varied and often extreme ecological conditions frequently inhabiting niches such as caves or at great depths in the oceans. The chemosensory organs of such well adapted fish are highly specialized and evolved in contrast to the chemosenses of sight-hunting fish. Fishes have developed diverse strategies to survive within the widely varying water bodies, owing, at least in part, to the highly evolved chemosensory systems. A group of internationally reputed specialists have contributed to this book. It contains six chapters devoted to fish olfaction, one chapter to solitary chemosensory cells and six chapters to the fish taste