The integument plays an important role in the survival of meta- zoans by separating and protecting them from a hostile environ- ment. Its function ranges from protection against injury and in- fection; partlcipation in the regulation of body temperature and water balance, to respiratory activity, monitoring of the environ- ment and production of signals related to behaviour. All these result from specific structural, biochemical and physiological properties of intra-and extracellular components of the integu- ment. Thus its characterization can be best accomplished by a multidisciplinary approach with authors specialized in different fields of science. This multi-author book, in two volumes, provides an up-to- date survey of the literature. The first volume deals with the integument of invertebrates, the second with that of vertebrates, both organized primarily on a phylum basis. As the level of knowledge on the integument of phyla differs considerably, the information provided is correspondingly either limited or con- densed.
For some of the smaller groups of invertebrates little information is available, as often only a few electron micrographs are to be found in the literature; on the other hand, from the large body of knowledge existing for vertebrates, particularly for mammals, no complete overview can be provided, but publica- tions giving access to further information have been reviewed critically.
- ISBN10 3540130624
- ISBN13 9783540130628
- Publish Date 2 May 1984
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 11 November 2010
- Publish Country DE
- Publisher Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG
- Imprint Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 860
- Language English