Overview

1. Nekton as an ecomorphological type of biont The term nekton was suggested and used for the first time in 1890 by E. Haeckel in his book Plankton-Studien. Etymologically the word nekton derives from the Greek VTJKTTJP, i.e. swimming. As Haeckel defined it, nekton describes collectively all swimming animals that are 'free to choose their path', i.e. can resist a strong current of water and, distinct from planktonic animals, go where they wish. While giving a general idea of the dividing line between plankton and nekton, Haeckel's definition, which has played an important role in shaping our ideas about nekton, today no longer provides a sufficient basis for ecological and functional morphological investigations, since it affords no possibility of quantitatively assessing either the boundary between plankton and nekton or that between nekton and other ecomorphological types of biont. Thus Parin (1968), proceeding from Haeckel's principle, believes that in the epipelagic zone of the ocean the minimum size of nektonic fishes with a well-developed capacity for active swimming may be between 15 and 30 cm, as fishes shorter than 15 cm are unable to counter oceanic currents. Meanwhile young Leucaspius (Leucaspius delineatus) only 1.5 cm long, observed by this writer in ponds near Moscow proved capable of active horizontal migrations across the entire body of water, which, if Haeckel's definition is accepted, brings the border between planktonic and nektonic fish in this case to between 1.5 and 2.0 cm.

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Author:   Yu.G. Aleyev
Publisher:   Springer
Imprint:   Kluwer Academic Publishers
Weight:   0.850kg
ISBN:  

9789061935605

ISBN 10:   9061935601
Pages:   441
Publication Date:   31 March 1977
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Temporarily unavailable  
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Table of Contents

1. Nekton as an Ecomorphological Type of Biont.- 2. Definition, History and Task of Nektonology.- 3. Nektonological Investigation Methods.- 4. General Remarks.- 1. Nekton: Systematics and Geographical Distribution.- I. Ecomorphological Classification of Nekton.- II. Systematic Composition, Geographic Range and Distribution in Bodies of Water.- 2. Fundamental Nektonic Adaptations.- III. Maintaining the Body Suspended in the Water.- IV. Creation of Propulsive Force (Locomotion).- V. Reducing Resistance to Movement.- VI. Controlling Movement.- VII. Camouflage and Defence.- VIII. Other Adaptations.- 3. Origins and Ecological Divergence of Nekton.- IX. Ecomorphological Classes of Nekton and their Origins.- X. Nekton and the Body of Water.- Conclusion.- Literature.- Name Index.- Animal Latin Names Index.

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