New and Recent Titles

1) Pallen, Mark. The Rough Guide to Evolution. 2009. Rough Guides. Paperback: 346 pages. Price: $16.99 U.S.

SUMMARY: Have you ever wondered what Charles Darwin would have had on his iPod? Or exactly how Cartman from South Park fits into the Theory of Evolution?
     The Rough Guide to Evolution delves into all of this and more, from the life and works of the eminent scientist to the impact of evolutionary thinking on modern times. Read about the evolutionary history of life on Earth, the stark evidence for evolution – including feathered dinosaurs – and how Darwin’s breakthrough is still denied by creationists, who have repeatedly tried to ban evolution from the classroom. Providing a complete and authoritative overview of one of the most controversial topics of our age, the guide is an accessible one-stop-shop for all things Darwinian, while listing resources for those keen to dig deeper into our murky beginnings.
     Find out exactly how Charles Darwin and The Origin of the Species have affected human life in the 150 years since its publication – everything from Darwinian tourism to the evolution of The Simpsons – as well as some new angles that make The Rough Guide to Evolution a must-have for die-hard Darwin fans. Rediscover Darwin’s earth-shattering explanation for the diversity of life with The Rough Guide to Evolution.
RECOMMENDATION: A good introduction on the subject of evolution.

2) Perry, Steve F. et al.(editors). Zebrafish: Fish Physiology Volume 29. 2010. Academic Press. Hardbound: 455 pages. Price: $119.95 U.S.
SUMMARY: This cutting-edge resource includes up-to-date information on zebrafish physiology and the tools used to study it, not only as a model species for studies of other vertebrates but with application for studies of human disease and aquatic toxicology. The utility of zebrafish for physiological research is based on several key features including i) a ";fully"; sequenced genome, ii) rapid (~3 month) generation times), iii) their capacity to produce large numbers of externally fertilized eggs, iv) optical transparency of embryos and larvae, and v) the applicability of reverse and forward genetics to assess gene function. Gene knockdown in embryos and the production of transgenic strains are now standard techniques being used to assess physiology. This book will be of keen interest not only to the typical readers of Fish Physiology but also to biomedical researchers, toxicologists and developmental biologists.
RECOMMENDATION: For those with a technical interest in fish physiology.

3) Thorp, James H. and Alan P. Covich (editors). Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates (3rd edition). 2010. Academic Press. Hardbound: 1021 pages. Price: $139.95 U.S.

SUMMARY:The 3rd edition of Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates continues the tradition of in-depth coverage of the biology, ecology, phylogeny, and identification of freshwater invertebrates from the USA and Canada. This edition is in color for the first time and includes greatly expanded classification of many phyla and a downloadable set of references for all chapters.
RECOMMENDATION: For those with a technical interest in freshwater invertebrates.