Osmotic Regulation in Aquatic Animals

TLDR: This book is a systematic presentation of material concerning osmoregulation in each of the major phyla of invertebrates and vertebrates and one chapter is devoted to osmotic problems encountered by eggs and embryos of aquatic animals.

Abstract: August Krogh, 242 pp., $1.75, Dover, New York, 1966. Material in this book is presented in a systematic fashion with separate chapters devoted to osmotic regulation in each of the major phyla of invertebrates and vertebrates, and one chapter is devoted to osmotic problems encountered by eggs and embryos of aquatic animals. The scientific name of each animal discussed is given and at least some mention is made of osmoregulation in several hundred genera with some discussed at length. A section perhaps as useful to the teacher of zoology or comparative physiology as any part of the book is the final short chapter dealing with methods. Among others, simple techniques for determination of osmotic concentration and of volume changes are included. The methods presented are ones feasible for use in student laboratories and do not require elaborate equipment. An extensive list of references concludes the volume but, by the author's own admission, it is not a comprehensive list. Since the book was first published in 1939 and has not been altered, no recent references are included. Information is presented in a fashion perhaps too sophisticated to make the book of great use to the beginning science student since the author presupposes some knowledge of biology and chemistry on the part of his reader. However, such an accumulation of material concerning osmoregulation as is presented by Professor Krogh would be difficult, if not impossible to find in any other single volume. For this reason, this book could well occupy a place in the library of any biologist. Barbara Shirley Department of Life Sciences University of Tulsa Tulsa, Oklahoma