Thissecond edition offers a comprehensive overview of the physiological functionsof vertebrate kidneys from a comparative viewpoint, with particular emphasis onnonmammalian vertebrates. The topics covered include renal structure;glomerular ultrafiltration; tubular transport of inorganic ions, organicsubstances, and fluid; and urine dilution and concentration.Mammalian renal function is only considered for purposes of comparison withnonmammalian renal function and as a frame of reference for some of thediscussions. The major findings on nonmammalian renal functionand theimportant unanswered questions raised by those findings are described in detail.As such, the book provides comprehensive information on comparative renal functionfor biological scientists and advanced students of biology with some knowledgeof physiology and a desire to know more about renal function in vertebrates,and for mammalian renal physiologists who wish to obtain a broader view ofrenal function.