Biology of Freshwater Crayfish

Crayfish are the largest, mobile freshwater invertebrates with some 540 recognised species. They are of long standing interest to anatomists and physiologists. For their great commercial importance as a human food delicacy, crayfish are now becoming of wider interest to molecular biologists, and also to conservationists due to the fact that in some countries many of the native crayfish species are under threat from human activity, disease, and competition from other introduced crayfish species.

This fully comprehensive book covers all major aspects of these important animals, including taxonomy, anatomy, evolution, growth and reproduction, behaviour, ecology, physiology, conservation, genetics, immunology, environmental aspects, and diseases. There are separate chapters on each genus of crayfish of commercial importance.

Written by 22 well-known experts, Biology of Freshwater Crayfish has been carefully edited by David Holdich, internationally recognised for his work with these animals. The book is an essential purchase for anyone involved with the biology or exploitation of crayfish, including freshwater and invertebrate biologists and personnel involved in fisheries and aquaculture. Libraries in all universities and research establishments where biological sciences, fisheries or aquaculture are studied or taught should have copies of this important book on their shelves.

Also available from Blackwell Publishing

Freshwater Prawn Culture
Edited by M. New & W. C. Valenti
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Krill
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Spiny Lobsters
Fisheries and Culture
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0 85238 264 2

Crustacean Farming
Second edition
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Freshwater Biology (Journal)
Published monthly
ISSN: 0046 5070

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• Editor is world leader in crayfish biology.
  
• Essential reading for anyone involved in crayfish biology or exploitation.
  
• Chapters by world's leading experts in crayfish.
  
• Covers commercially important species in depth.

Part I: General Biology:.

Background And Functional Morphology.

Phylogeny And Evolution.

Functional Anatomy.

Growth And Reproduction.

Ecology.

Taxonomy And Conservation Of The Native Crayfish Stocks.

Behaviour; Genetic Variation.

Physiological Adaptation To Environment.

Pathogens, Parasites And Commensals.

Immune Reactions.

Part II: Crayfish Of Commercial Importance:.

Astacus.

Pacifactacus.

Procambarus.

Orconectes.

Cambarus.

Cherax.

Part III: Conclusions

"As a reference text, the Biology of Freshwater Crayfish is invaluable... This is a classic; buy it now and ensure that it does not, like its predecessor, slip out of print prematurely." Fish (Institute of Fisheries Management)

"A beautifully produced and totally comprehensive book... invaluable for students and experts of crayfish alike." Aquaculture News, April 2002

"This is a large and remarkably comprehensive book. The breadth of coverage is impressive... a most worthwhile addition to a library." Stephanie Peay, Aquatic Conservation, 2003.

David Holdich, until recently based at the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK, is now an independent aquatic biology consultant. It has been over 12 years since publication of the last major book covering freshwater crayfish and since then, there has been much new information produced which is gathered together here for the first time. The first section of the book deals with crayfish general biology with particular attention given to crayfish status and conservation, genetic variation and physiological adaptation to the environment. The second section of the book deals with crayfish of commercial importance with chapters devoted to each of the major genera of importance. This book is essential reading for anyone involved in the biology or exploitation of these important animals.