E-Book Overview
One of the little known species in the danger of extinction, gymophionan amphibians, are also known as caecilians or apoda. Gymnophiona contains 154 species belonging to 34 genera and 6 families. For many years, studies on the Gymnophiona were disparate and still only a few species have been deeply studied. Fortunately, in recent years, some new works have been published on their systematics, using both the classical methods as well as immunology and molecular biology. New data have also been obtained on the biology, life history, reproductive biology, endocrinology and embryonic development of several species. These fascinating aspects along with other important ones on gymnophionan studies are ably reviewed in this book.
E-Book Content
Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Gymnophiona (Caecilians) Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny Series Series Editor: Barrie G. M. Jamieson Published: Vol. 1 : Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Urodela (Volume Editor: David M. Sever) Vol. 2 : Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Anura (Volume Editor: Barrie G. M. Jamieson) Vol. 3 : Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Chondrichthyes (Volume Editor: William C. Hamlett) Vol. 4 : Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Annelida (Volume Editors: G. Rouse and F. Pleijel) Vol. 5 : Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Gymnophiona (Caecilians) (Volume Editor: Jean-Marie Exbrayat) In press/under preparation: Vol. 6 : Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Birds (A and B) (Volume Editor: Barrie G. M. Jamieson) Vol. 7 : Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Cetacea (Volume Editor: D. Miller) Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Gymnophiona (Caecilians) Volume edited by JEAN-MARIE EXBRAYAT Professor Laboratoire de Biologie générale, Université Catholique de Lyon and Laboratoire de Reproduction et Développement des Vertébrés Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes Lyo