John P. Wourms

TL;DR: The maternal-fetal trophic relationships in each of the major groups of fishes are systematically reviewed and Pertinent anatomical, histological, ultrastructural, developmental, physiological, and biochemical studies are considered.

TL;DR: Phylogenetic position, geographical distribution, benthic vs. pelagic habitat, adult size, egg-embryo size, feeding ecology, and embryonic osmoregulation are factors in the retention of oviparity or the evolution of viviparity.

TL;DR: This chapter discusses the maternal–embryonic relationship in viviparous fishes and available evidence suggests that maternal regulation of the osmotic and chemical environment of the embryo also confers a selective advantage on vivIParous teleosts.

TL;DR: Viviparity first makes its evolutionary appearance within the craniate-vertebrate line among fishes and is estimated to have independently evolved at least 42 times in five of the nine major groups of fishes.

TL;DR: This volume had its origin in aSymposium on the Reproduction and Development of Cartilaginous Fishes that was held at the annual meetings of the American Elasmobranch Society and the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists in Charleston, South Carolina in June 1990.