Biological systems are an emerging discipline that may provide integrative tools by assembling the hierarchy of interactions among genes, proteins and molecular networks involved in sensory systems. The aim of this volume is to provide a picture, as complete as possible, of the current state of knowledge of sensory systems in nature. The presentation in this book lies at the intersection of evolutionary biology, cell and molecular biology, physiology and genetics. Sensing in Nature is written by a distinguished panel of specialists and is intended to be read by biologists, students, scientific investigators and the medical community.

Provides a picture of the current state of knowledge of sensory systems in nature

Thermosensor Systems in Eubacteria.- Molecular Plant Volatile Communication.- Primary Processes in Sensory Cells: Current Advances.- Chemical Communication in Insects: The Peripheral Odor Coding System of Drosophila Melanogaster.- Eusocial Evolution and the Recognition Systems in Social Insects.- Odor and Pheromone Sensing via Chemoreceptors.- Identifying Self¿ and Nonself-Generated Signals: Lessons from Electrosensory Systems.- Magnetoreception.- The Molecular Basis of Mechanosensory Transduction.- The Evolution of Vertebrate Color Vision.- Transforming the Vestibular System One Molecule at a Time: The Molecular and Developmental Basis of Vertebrate Auditory Evolution.- Neurobiology of Sociability.- Changing Senses: Chemosensory Signaling and Primate Evolution.- Molecules and Mating: Positive Selection and Reproductive Behavior in Primates.- Immune Systems Evolution.- Involvement of Sirtuins in Life¿Span and Aging Related Diseases.- Molecular Diversity of Dscam and Self¿Recognition.- The Neural Basis of Semantic and Episodic Forms of Self¿Knowledge: Insights from Functional Neuroimaging.- Hallmarks of Consciousness.