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The reproductive habits of the common catfish, Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur), with a discussion of their significance in in ontogeny and phylogeny
by Charles M. Breder. 1935
Zoologica (New York Zoological Society) 19(4): 143-185, illus.
Vliegende Vissen
by Erna Mohr. ca. 1960
Amsterdam, Uitgeverij Breughel, 63 pp., illus. in black and white. Hard cover, pictorial boards (I don’t know if it was issued with a dust jacket)
This book was originally published in German as Fliegende Fische (1954); the Dutch translation (seen here) is undated. I found it in a bookshop in Brussels. The subject is flying fishes, and the author runs through various groups of fishes that leave the water on a regular basis. Exocoetidae occupies much of the discussion, but other fishes are also covered. The book is illustrated with photographs and drawings.
Sounds of western North Atlantic fishes; a reference file of biological underwater sounds
by Marie Poland Fish and William H. Mowbray. 1970
Baltimore, Johns Hopkins Press. xx + 207 pp. illus. Cloth covered boards, apparently issued without dust jacket
Library of Congress Catalog No. 77-106135
Captive individual of around 200 species of marine fishes were run through a standardized set of stimuli in order to illicit a sonic reaction. These sounds were recorded and analyzed, and discussion is given for each in this volume. For each species, some basic biological details are given and the sounds produced are described and figures in sonograms and oscilograms. Water is an excellent conductor of sound, as this work demonstrates, fishes are probably pretty chatty.
Diversity and adaptation in fish behaviour
by Miles H. A. Keenleyside. 1979
New York: Springer-Verlag, 1979. xiii + 208 pp, illus. 25 cm. Cloth covered boards, no dust jacket (at least that I’ve seen)
ISBN 3-540-09587-X
Books such as this are great entrances into the topic at hand. Dr. Keenleyside has given us a detailed and very orderly accounting of fish behavior. There are sections on locomotion and feeding and spawning and social behaviors. A little bit about a lot of fish biology with numerous references to help the reader dig further. I read through this volume (and some others) when preparing to teach ichthyology.
Migrations
Diadromy in fishes : migrations between freshwater and marine environments
by R. M. McDowall. 1988
Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, 1988. ix, 308 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. Hardcover in dust jacket.
ISBN 0-88192-144-9
The Ecology of Fishes
by G. V. Nikolsky. 1963
London, Academic Press, xv + 352 pp., illus. in black and white. Hard cover in dust jacket
Library of Congress Number: 62-18582G. V. Nikolsky (1910-1977) was a Russian ichthyologist. This high regard for is work in the west is evidenced by number of his publications that have been translated and published in English. The author states in his Preface that this volume is an expanded version of his 1944 book, The Biology of Fishes (to my knowledge no available in English). The book is divided into two sections - the first (largely) covers interactions between fishes and their environment (abiotic factors, osmotic life and such). The second is more about life history (development, reproductive, migratory life). A broad spectrum of fish biology is organized and presented here-in. There is an extensive bibliography, including a large number of Russian language and non-western entries. Occurs to me that this later feature serves as a good entry into this literature.
Fishes, their journeys and migrations
by Louis Roule. 1933
New York, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.1933. 270 pp., illus. Hardcover in dust jacket
Fishes : their journeys and migrations (reprint)
by Louis Roule. 1996
New York: Kodansha America, 1996. xx, 270 p. : ill., maps ; 22 cm. Soft cover.
ISBN 1568361033 
Here is an English translation of one of Louis Roule’s books on fishes. Roule (1861-1942) was a French Zoology (and MD) long associated with the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris. He wrote a series of scholarly book on fishes, and some, like this one, in a popular vein. “A scientific Izaak Walton” states the inside of the dust jacket. In often poetic prose, Roule explains the facts and mysteries of fish migrations – and he manages to come up with examples other than salmon and eels (which are, of course, covered). Roule’s enthusiasm for zoology and fishes is part of the charm of this work. William Beebe provides a nice introduction.Freshwater
Distribution and ecology of stream fishes of the Sacramento-San Joaquin drainage system, California
by Peter B. Moyle, Jerry J. Smith, Robert A. Daniels, Thomas L. Taylor, Donald G. Price and Donald M. BaltzBerkeley: University of California Press, 1982. University of California Publications, Zoology, Vol. 115, viii, 256 p., illustrated with maps.
The title pretty much states what this report covers. In it we find a region by region, species by species accounting of this fish fauna (introduced and native). Spot maps are provided. A very useful piece of research for conservation workers.
Conservation
Biology and management of threatened and endangered western trouts
by Robert J. Behnke and Mark Zarn. 1976
Fort Collins, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1976, General Technical Report RM-28, 43 pp., illus., softbound
Bob Behnke knows his salmonids. This work provides an overview of endangered western trouts, with discussion of taxonomy (which has changed since 1976), threats and conservation options and efforts. The various subspecies of cutthroat trout are given detailed discussion. Each form is illustrated with black and white drawing, and a shaded area range map. This type of work may seem dated, but reading through it gives one a window into how far we’ve come (or not come). Covered are: Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus, O. c. stomias, O. c. henshawi, O. c. seleniris, O. gilae and O. apache (all formerly placed in the genus Salmo).
Endangered and threatened fishes of the upper Colorado River basin
by Robert J. Behnke. 1980.
Fort Collins, Colo.: Cooperative Extension Service, Colorado State University, 1980, Bull. No. 503A, 35 p., illus. with maps and drawings, softbound
Dr. Behnke gives a review of the biology, threats and prospects for several of the key players in the endangered western fish world as of 1980. Discussed in detail are Ptychocheilus lucius (still called a squawfish back then), Gila cypha, Gila robusta, Xyrauchen texanus and Salmo clarki pleuriticus. Much for each of these has changed in the ensuing 30 years, but, non-the-less, reports such as these afford a useful entrance into the thinking and status of things at the time of publication. This can be important as conservation workers and scientists retire or pass, and memories become hazy. To move forward, it is important to know where you’ve been.
Protected fishes of the United States and Canada
by James Edward Johnson. 1987
American Fisheries Society. 42 pp. illus. in color. Soft cover
ISBN 0-913235-43-1
There are various meanings for words such as “endangered” or “threatened.” They are often used by biologists and others to signify a biological reality (perceived or otherwise) regarding the status of a species. These words also have specific legal meanings in context of state, provincial or national law. This report gives some historical context to considerations of rare or species in trouble, and then sets out a listing of all species receiving some form of legal protection at the state, provincial level or national level. This list is presented twice, once in taxonomic order, and then listed by jurisdiction (state, province, nation). The list is depressing long and a good indications that our stewardship of North American waters leaves much to be desired. However, it is also worth nothing that a number of species become rare on the periphery of their range and if that periphery squeaks into a certain state (Notropis umbratilis into Wisconsin for example), a species that is common and widespread, may receive local protection. The report includes 11 pages of color plates of selected species (mostly of living or freshly preserved individuals).
Protection des poissons d'eau douce menacés en Europe
by Peter Salisbury Maitland. 1992
Strasbourg Editions du Conseil de l'Europe. 73 pp. illus., soft bound.
ISBN 92-871-1886-8 (French); ISBN 92-871-1884-1 (English)
This is a summary report (issued in English and French - I have the French version) on the protected species of Europe. A checklist of the European fauna is given, as well as various other lists of protected native species. About 20 species are given detailed species accounts (each with a map). The Convention of Bern (1982) and the species protected under it is discussed.
Fishes in North American deserts
Robert J. Naiman and David L. Soltz (eds.). 1981
New York: Wiley, 1981. x, 552 p. ill.; 24 cm. Hard cover in dust jacket.
Conservation
Biology and management of threatened and endangered western trouts
by Robert J. Behnke and Mark Zarn. 1976
Fort Collins, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1976, General Technical Report RM-28, 43 pp., illus., softboundEndangered and threatened fishes of the upper Colorado River basin
by Robert J. Behnke. 1980.
Fort Collins, Colo.: Cooperative Extension Service, Colorado State University, 1980, Bull. No. 503A, 35 p., illus. with maps and drawings, softboundProtected fishes of the United States and Canada
by James Edward Johnson. 1987
American Fisheries Society. 42 pp. illus. in color. Soft cover
ISBN 0-913235-43-1
There are various meanings for words such as “endangered” or “threatened.” They are often used by biologists and others to signify a biological reality (perceived or otherwise) regarding the status of a species. These words also have specific legal meanings in context of state, provincial or national law. This report gives some historical context to considerations of rare or species in trouble, and then sets out a listing of all species receiving some form of legal protection at the state, provincial level or national level. This list is presented twice, once in taxonomic order, and then listed by jurisdiction (state, province, nation). The list is depressing long and a good indications that our stewardship of North American waters leaves much to be desired. However, it is also worth nothing that a number of species become rare on the periphery of their range and if that periphery squeaks into a certain state (Notropis umbratilis into Wisconsin for example), a species that is common and widespread, may receive local protection. The report includes 11 pages of color plates of selected species (mostly of living or freshly preserved individuals).
Protection des poissons d'eau douce menacés en Europeby Peter Salisbury Maitland. 1992
Strasbourg Editions du Conseil de l'Europe. 73 pp. illus., soft bound.
ISBN 92-871-1886-8 (French); ISBN 92-871-1884-1 (English)
This is a summary report (issued in English and French - I have the French version) on the protected species of Europe. A checklist of the European fauna is given, as well as various other lists of protected native species. About 20 species are given detailed species accounts (each with a map). The Convention of Bern (1982) and the species protected under it is discussed.
Fishes in North American deserts
Robert J. Naiman and David L. Soltz (eds.). 1981
New York: Wiley, 1981. x, 552 p. ill.; 24 cm. Hard cover in dust jacket.
This is a symposium volume derived from a Symposium held during the annual meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists in 1980. A variety of topics from the paleohistorical to the modern and legalistic are covered by the various contributors. The University of Michigan group lead by R. R. Miller and G. R. Smith is well represented. Oddly absent from the symposium are the late W. L. Minckley and Jim Deacon. Such a symposium volume gives a snapshot of the state of knowledge at a particular point in time, in this case the late 1970s. About 10 years on, Minckley and Deacon will offer another desert fish review with their Battle Against Extinction (1991) (see below). From a purely technical perspective ..... although published by Wiley, the presentation of this volume is a little crude, set in type font (courier) and just average quality of image reproduction. Substance is more important that form.
Battle against extinction: native fish management in the American West
by W. L. Minckley and James E. Deacon. 1991.
Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1991. xviii, 517 p.: ill. ; 25 cm. cloth covered boards in dust jacket ISBN 0-8165-1221-3
Here is an important and extremely well-presented series of articles on native western and arid land fishes. The editors spent their careers studying this fauna – and by necessity became experts on conservation issues – from biological, legislative and cultural perspectives. That we have as much of the western fauna still intact as we do, is a testament to their work and influence. This volume has sections offering a historical perspective, case histories and reviews of pertinent issues. The book is long out-of-print, and the high prices asked by natural history book dealers suggest it is still in demand – certainly the situation for western fishes has (sadly) not improved in the 20 years since publication. A second, updated version of this book was in the works, but Professor Minckley’s untimely death in 2001 ended that project.
Battle against extinction: native fish management in the American West
by W. L. Minckley and James E. Deacon. 1991.
Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1991. xviii, 517 p.: ill. ; 25 cm. cloth covered boards in dust jacket ISBN 0-8165-1221-3
Here is an important and extremely well-presented series of articles on native western and arid land fishes. The editors spent their careers studying this fauna – and by necessity became experts on conservation issues – from biological, legislative and cultural perspectives. That we have as much of the western fauna still intact as we do, is a testament to their work and influence. This volume has sections offering a historical perspective, case histories and reviews of pertinent issues. The book is long out-of-print, and the high prices asked by natural history book dealers suggest it is still in demand – certainly the situation for western fishes has (sadly) not improved in the 20 years since publication. A second, updated version of this book was in the works, but Professor Minckley’s untimely death in 2001 ended that project. Recovery Plan for the Tidewater Goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi).
by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2005
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. vi + 199 pp., illus. Soft bound
Eucyclogobius newberryi is an endemic California species that inhabits brackish, often isolated habitats along the coast – lagoons, estuaries, wetlands. It was included on the endangered species list in 1994. As required by law, a recovery plan is formulated and published. This document summarizes what is known of the biology of the endangered species, it’s threats and what efforts and studies are needed to effect a recovery. The tidewater goby’s habitats are easily damaged by human activity and the latter has resulted in a substantial loss of populations over the past 100 years. Efforts are ongoing to learn more about this diminutive little creature and insure that it remains part of California’s natural heritage.
Status of Rare Fish - A Literature Review of Freshwater Fish in the UK
by I. J. Winfield. 1994
Institute of Freshwater Ecology, National Rivers Authority, R&D Report 18, vi + 58 pp., illus.
ISBN 0-11-886511-0
This report reviews the literature rare UK fishes up to 1993 – some 600 articles or papers. A summary of terms and conventions opens the report. There’s a checklist to the native fishes of the UK, and a list of those considered in need to protection. Most of the report is occupied with a detailed survey of the status of whitefishes, Coreogonus spp. A few black and white illustrations of fishes are included.
Status of Rare Fish - A Literature Review of Freshwater Fish in the UK
by I. J. Winfield. 1994Institute of Freshwater Ecology, National Rivers Authority, R&D Report 18, vi + 58 pp., illus.
ISBN 0-11-886511-0
This report reviews the literature rare UK fishes up to 1993 – some 600 articles or papers. A summary of terms and conventions opens the report. There’s a checklist to the native fishes of the UK, and a list of those considered in need to protection. Most of the report is occupied with a detailed survey of the status of whitefishes, Coreogonus spp. A few black and white illustrations of fishes are included.
Fossil
Devonian fishes of Iowa
by Charles Rochester Eastman 1908
Iowa Geological Survey, Annual Report Vol. 18 (1907): 33 - 291, 40 text figs., 16 pls.This report by prolific fish paleontologist Charles Eastman starts with a section entitled: "Aim and general outlook of palaeontological inquiry, and relations of palaeichthyology to biology." “Science is knowledge,” writes Dr. Eastman in this section. This opening essay is a broad discussion of the science of paleontology, including numerous references to the classics, and quotes presented in languages other than English – how often do we see that these days? The actual fish part of the study offers detailed descriptions of taxa and their fossils, illustrated with text figures and photographic plates.
Catalog of fossil fishes in the Carnegie Museum
by Charles R. Eastman
Part I - 1911 - Fishes from the upper Ecocene of Monte Bolca, Memoirs of the Carnegie Museum, Vol. IV(7): 349-441, illus. in black and white, wrappers
Part II - 1914 - Supplement to the catalog of fishes from the upper Eocene of Monte Bolca, Memoirs of the Carnegie Museum, Vol. VI(5): 315-348, illus.
Part III - 1914 - Catalog of fossil fishes from the lithographic stone of Cerin France, Memoirs of the Carnegie Museum, Vol. VI(6): 349-388, illus.
Part IV- 1914 - Descriptive catalog of fossil fishes from the litographic stone of Solenhaffen, Bavaria, Memoirs of the Carnegie Museum, Vol. VI(7): 389-423, illus.
Catalogs are an essential part of the museum business. Curators need to be able to manage the collection holdings and researchers must be able to access lists to know what specimens they wish to examine. In the days before computers and the internet catalogs were paper ledgers and/or card files. In the days before copy machines, access to catalog records was awkward, many collections published their catalogs to allow wider and easier access. Here is an example of fossil fish holdings from the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh. Eastman has inventoried the holdings of some private collections accessioned into the museum in a taxonomic context. Thus, we have not just a bare listing, but also a systematic contribution. These volumes are illustrated with text figures and photographic plates. This is a fairly specialized and narrow work to be sure – my copy, typical of such works, is unread with uncut pages.Palaeozoic Fishes
by J. A. Moy-Thomas (1908-1944). 1939
London, Methuren and Co., Ltd.. 149 pp., 33 figs. Cloth covered boards in dust jacket.
Some books are classics...this is one. It was issued as part of a series entitled Methuen’s Monographs on Biological Subjects, edited by Gavin De Beer. Moy-Thomas offers group-by-group technical descriptions of paleozoic fishes. It’s basically a lot of osteology. The science of paleoichthyological systematics and phylogenetics has progressed far from this period, but this work is still a good starting place to understand this fascinating diversity. The illustrations (line drawings mostly) are clear and to-the-point). There is a 2nd edition of this work (extensively revised by R.S. Miles, 1971), but I don’t have a copy to compare.
I’ve seen this little book offered with a dust jacket, although my copy (pictured) is lacking such.
James Alan Moy-Thomas died in an car accident in 1944.
The braincase of pholidophorid and leptolepid fishes, with a review of the actinopterygian braincase
by Colin Patterson. 1975
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (Biological Sciences) Vol. 269, No. 899: 275-579, illus.
Monographs like this are the core of great ichthyology. Patterson gives us a highly detailed accounting of stem actinopterygian fish braincases. This guides us to a discussion and understanding of actinopterygian evolution. A student wanting to understand how to report and how to analyze fish osteology does well to start with this work. I did. Descriptions of cranial osteology are challenging to write, but Patterson’s descriptions are clear and comprehensive. Illustrated throughout with pen and ink drawings.The Acanthodian fishes
by David Meredith Seares Watson. 1937
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B - Biological Sciences, (London: Cambridge Univ. Press), 1937. Vol. 228 (No. 549): 49-146, 25 text figs, 9 pls.
Dr. Watson has given us detailed reconstructions of the cranium of acanthodian fishes, along with discussion of their relationships and phylogenetic position. Books on fossil fishes are fun. You can use them to test your knowledge of anatomy (in this case osteology) as you work to understand these unfamiliar anatomies – and in a book like this sometimes described with dated terminology. A series of nicely executed add greatly to this work – the photographic plates are nice, but awfully hard to resolve.
Evolution
Interrelationships of fishes
by Peter Humphry Greenwood, R. S. Miles and Colin Patterson (editors). 1973
Linnean Society of London, Academic Press. xvi + 536 pp., illus. Cloth covered boards in dust jacket
ISBN 0-12-300850-6
Interrelationships of fishes
by Melanie L. J. Stiassny, Lynne R. Parenti and G. David Johnson (editors). 1996
San Diego: Academic Press. xiii + 496 pp. Glossy pictorial boards, no dust jacket issued
ISBN 0-12-670950-5
Here are two volumes with the same objective and under the same name...but published about a quarter century apart. Various authorities contributing on their groups present big picture views of the evolution and phylogenetics gnathostome fishes. In the introduction of the 1973 offering, the editors note application of the ideas of Henig. By 1996 application of these ideas was so wide-spread, such a mention would hardly seem necessary. The chapters in the 1973 version seems less comprehensive that those of the 1996 version, which spans the range of jawed fishes with more articles covered the diversity with a finer grain. Both offerings are illustrated as necessary with mostly images of skeletal structure. An organism’s stru cture is what is offered up for selection to impact, so this seems a logical place to start the discussion of evolulution and interrelationships. Absent (thankfully) are endless pages of cladograms generated by people running gels on plugs of tissue that some collection told them came from this or that taxon. Anatomy actually forces the researching to engage with his/her organisms, allowing the opportunity (at least) for a deep and holistic understanding.
These are really useful books to explore our understanding of fish evolution and to explore the thought processes and methodologies of respected ichthyologists.
