Biology, life sciences Books

Book SynopsisThe chimpanzee is one of our planet''s best-loved and most instantly recognisable animals. Splitting from the human lineage between four and six million years ago, it is (along with its cousin, the bonobo) our closest living relative, sharing around 94% of our DNA. First encountered by Westerners in the seventeenth century, virtually nothing was known about chimpanzees in their natural environment until 1960, when Jane Goodall travelled to Gombe to live and work with them. Accessibly written, yet fully referenced and uncompromising in its accuracy and comprehensiveness, this book encapsulates everything we currently know about chimpanzees: from their discovery and why we study them, to their anatomy, physiology, genetics and culture. The text is beautifully illustrated and infused with examples and anecdotes drawn from the author''s thirty years of primate observation, making this a perfect resource for students of biological anthropology and primatology as well as non-specialists inteTrade Review'Chimpanzee: Lessons from our Sister Species condenses over 60 years of chimpanzee research into an informative and entertaining book. Drawing on his own first-hand experience, the research of other scientists and historic accounts, Kevin Hunt describes the fascinating lives of chimpanzees in the wild, as well as the research methods used by leading experts in the field. If you want to know just how alike we truly are to our closest living relatives then you will get a very good idea from reading this book.' Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace'Ever since the seventeenth century, writers have suspected that apes have a story to tell about human life and our pre-historic origins. Year by year the details of that story are being worked out better and better. Chimpanzee is a terrific account from the leading edge.' Richard Wrangham, Ruth Moore Research Professor of Biological Anthropology, Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Massachusetts, from the Foreword'Hunt skillfully weaves anecdotes and history into this scientific compendium of the behavioral ecology, biology, and evolution of chimpanzees. The book is generously illustrated, and each chapter includes extensive references. It is written in an accessible, conversational style that could only be achieved by someone with Hunt's first-hand experiences in the field and encyclopedic perspective. It will make a valuable reference for anyone interested in what is known and not yet known about one of our closest living relatives.' Karen B. Strier, Vilas Research Professor and Irven DeVore Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison'An exceptional book that delivers on every promise in its table of contents. Grounded in Hunt's 30+ years of chimpanzee field work and his commanding knowledge of others' research, he gives us a state-of-the-art research volume that will become an essential reference for primatologists, and anyone who wants to understand the true nature of our sister species. Hunt's writing is lucid, scholarly and wide-ranging as he carefully explains chimpanzee evolution, biology, social behavior, and so much more. Hunt skillfully embeds his own field observations to help readers grasp concepts like chimpanzee positional behavior, personality, maternal behavior, cognition and communication, hunting and aggression. He balances this perspective with a wealth of laboratory and captive findings. The extensive references for each chapter provide an outstanding resource for students, teachers and readers who choose to delve further. The volume is generously illustrated with photos, line drawings and abundant figures that enrich the text.' Linda F. Marchant, Professor Emerita, Miami University'The volume provides a synthesis of classic and current literature, which will help readers learn what experts think now and where their ideas came from.' L. K. Sheeran, Choice'This volume provides an exceptionally broad yet wonderfully detailed view of our sister species. It would be useful in a course on human evolution or primate behavior and ecology, and would benefit anyone interested in learning more about chimpanzees … Given the range of topics and depth of scholarship, even seasoned chimpanzee researchers will profit from reading this book.' Michael L. Wilson, The Quarterly Review of Biology'… the most impressive and comprehensive volume on the chimpanzee … since Jane Goodall … [it] belongs on the bookshelf of every 'chimpologist', or, arguably, every primatologist.' William C. McGrew, PrimatesTable of Contents1. Sister's keeper: humans and chimpanzees; 2. Wild lesson: why study animals in nature?; 3. A most surprising creature: the discovery of the chimpanzee; 4. Kin: the chimpanzee's place in nature; 5. Scratching out a living in an unforgiving world: habitat and diet; 6. Guts, glorious guts, large stomach and colon; 7. Thews, sinews and bone: chimpanzee anatomy and osteology; 8. Arboreal gathering, terrestrial traveling: locomotion and posture; 9. Forged in nature's cauldron: engineering the chimpanzee; 10. Up from the protoape: the evolution of the chimpanzee; 11. Building a natural wonder: growth, development and life history; 12. The source of similarity: chimpanzee genetics; 13. Making your way in the great wild world: chimpanzee senses; 14. The grim reaper in the forest primeval: wild chimpanzee diseases and lessons for healthy living; 15. Powering life: physiology and endocrinology; 16. Shelter from the storm: chimpanzee mothering; 17. Meat seeking missiles: chimpanzees as hunters; 18. The mind of the chimpanzee: reasoning, memory and emotion; 19. The brain of the chimpanzee: the mind's motor; 20. Tired nature's sweet restorer: chimpanzee sleep; 21. Chimpanzee thought transfer: communication and language; 22. Ape implements: making and using tools; 23. Wisdom of the ages: chimpanzee culture; 24. The daily grind: within-group aggression; 25. A nation at war with itself: defending a community of the mind; 26. The sporting chimpanzee: dominance without destruction; 27. The passion of Pan: sex and reproduction; 28. Into the light: Semliki chimpanzees; 29. The other sister, bonobos: the monkey convergence hypothesis; 30. Sister species: lessons from the chimpanzee; Appendix 1. Primate taxonomy; Appendix 2. Professional grade chimpanzee; Index.

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Book SynopsisDrawing together the latest research, this is a detailed exploration of current knowledge on the biology, behaviour and conservation needs of the giraffe. Dagg highlights striking new data on a range of topics, discussing the problems and solutions associated with zoo captivity along with current conservation efforts and their outlook.Trade Review'Dagg's discoveries and observations during fieldwork as well as autobiographical details make this book an engaging, inspiring and informative read that is well worth the time to read from cover to cover.' Amanda Hardy, The BiologistTable of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgements; 1. Timeline of giraffe; 2. The giraffe's environment; 3. Feeding in the wild; 4. Social behaviour and populations; 5. Individual behaviours; 6. External features; 7. Anatomy; 8. Physiology; 9. Pregnancy, growth, reproduction and aging; 10. Giraffe in zoos; 11. Status and conservation of giraffe races; Appendix. Parasites and pathogens; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisThe new edition of this best-selling guide has been thoroughly updated for today's digital world, covering all aspects of the writing process and now including extensive coverage of ethical issues, including plagiarism. It offers a rich blend of practical advice, abundant examples from actual manuscripts, and hands-on exercises.Trade ReviewReview of previous edition: '… does not disappoint. It is everything a 'how to' book needs to be, stuffed with plain common sense and sprinkled with useful tips.' The BiologistReview of previous edition: '… strongly recommended for all geoscientists. There are three possible ways to use it. The first is to read it as a normal book from the first page to the last … The second way is to use it as a reference … The third way is … as a textbook … Despite of what way to choose, you will find this book always very suitable. Reading of any passage is enjoyable and stimulating. The book … is a great success …' Zentralblatt for Geologie und PalaeontologieReview of previous edition: 'This book is beyond reproach and should be regarded as compulsory reading for all biomedical and science undergraduate and postgraduate students and all others likely to have to write or edit scientific reports.' Times Higher Education SupplementReview of previous edition: '… very well organized and easy to scan for useful tips … will soon become one of the more well-thumbed volumes on our laboratory bookshelf.' Trends in NeuroscienceReview of previous edition: '… pragmatic, well-written and comprehensive … each stage - from marshalling ideas through bashing out a first draft, revising it, honing it for publication and correcting it in proof - is demystified with exercises and examples.' New ScientistReview of previous edition: '… an excellent, well-organised text that will ensure that aspiring authors who use it will find that writing can be a joy, rather than a burden.' British Journal of Biomedical ScienceReview of previous edition: '… a tightly written compendium of good advice, helpful examples and exercises, and a thorough coverage of topics, supported amply by references to other works … an excellent book and … a necessity for every research department and scientific/medical library.' American Entomologist'Successful Scientific Writing is a must-read for all scientists. It will be especially valuable for the first-time author of a scientific paper. It is indeed 'a step-by-step guide' - a comprehensive, straightforward walk through the writing process. The book's greatest strength is its distillation of information that could only have come from the practical experience of its authors. It is packed with advice on every aspect of writing the scientific paper. The section on improving 'anyone's scientific writing skills' alone is well worth the price. As a teacher of scientific writing I have used the previous editions of this book for years, and look forward to using the fourth edition as well.' Marguerite Meitzler, Council of Science Editors, Colorado'… as it walks the reader through the steps necessary to produce strong writing, [this book] includes lots of information about online writing, ethics and (perhaps most timely of all), plagiarism. Absolutely essential for everyone who writes about science or medicine.' GrrlScientist, The GuardianTable of ContentsPreface; 1. Start with a plan; 2. Conduct a comprehensive literature search; 3. Prepare for the challenge; 4. Begin well; 5. Compose the IMRAD core of a strong first draft; 6. Assemble the rest of the first draft; 7. Compile tables to develop, clarify, and support your narrative; 8. Include figures for evidence, efficiency, or emphasis; 9. Report numbers clearly and responsibly; 10. Revise for coherence; 11. Improve style and syntax; 12. Improve word choice; 13. Attend to punctuation, capitalization, and other mechanics; 14. Address your ethical and legal responsibilities; 15. Oral presentation: adapt the text and visuals; 16. Share your story in public: presenting talks and posters; 17. Publication: the rest of the story; Thirty exercises to improve anyone's scientific writing skills; Selected resources; Index.

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Book SynopsisWritten for students and researchers in the life sciences, this is the first book to provide an accessible introduction to philosophy of science with a focus on biology. It draws on contemporary examples to enable biologists to become more philosophically minded and informed, facilitating all aspects of research and communication.Trade Review'As a philosopher and a biologist I have been waiting for a long time for a book like this to come out. My students will learn a lot from it.' Massimo Pigliucci, K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy, City College of New York'Philosophy of Science for Biologists is a much-awaited book written for biologists, mainly for curious and open-minded biology students. Presenting a broad spectrum of perspectives and many fascinating examples from all areas of biology, the fifteen essays in this book offer a broad and exciting vista of biological ideas, their scope, their ambitions and their potential prejudices. The essays illustrate how a multiplicity of perspectives and methodologies can be combined to answer difficult questions, encouraging cooperation, healthy skepticism and necessary optimism. It should be the basis of an obligatory course for all biology students.' Eva Jablonka, Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas, Tel Aviv University'Historically, few biologists have recognized the valuable contributions that philosophy could make to their field. Finally, that is starting to change. In this landmark collection of essays from leading thinkers, Kampourakis and Uller provide the clearest summary yet of the philosophy that biologists really need to know if they want to be outstanding scientists who see the bigger picture.' Kevin N. Laland, Professor of Behavioural and Evolutionary Biology, University of St Andrews'Biologists do not simply uncover knowledge about the natural world, they build it, using concepts and classification schemes to frame their observations and experimental tests, and sifting the results so as to explain certain aspects of that enormously complex world. In this unusual volume, Uller and Kampourakis - a leading evolutionary biologist, and an accomplished critic of science and science education - call on biologists to carefully examine not just what they think, but how they think, by directly engaging with the philosophical issues that are imbedded in their scientific practice. The book will be of unique value to working biologists who seek to clarify their scientific aims and sharpen their concepts, research approaches, and analytical tools.' Sonia E. Sultan, Biology Department, Wesleyan University, Connecticut'… offers a collection of essays written by philosophy inclined scientists and science-minded philosophers who foster close connections to practicing scientists … The volume is not only a collection of several articles that can be read separately as introductory readings to a particular topic, there is also merit in reading this volume front to back. The contents are arranged carefully and communicate with each other by directly referencing other works in the volume and by implicitly establishing continuity across the chapters … [It] will come in handy for everyone looking for well-written, accessible introductions to some of the most exciting topics in the philosophy of biology.' Sophie Juliane Veigl, Acta Biotheoretica'... authors, make their case for the utility of the philosophy of science to the diverse community of students, teachers, and researchers pursuing careers in biology. The perspective is invigorating, offering insights to help biologists refine their thinking, even in fields with which they are most knowledgeable, and in particular to enhance how they might communicate science more effectively to a broader audience. This work celebrates the achievements, significance, and the potential of the biological sciences and is well worth reading.' Z. B. Johnson, Choice'… Philosophy of Science for Biologists delivers on its promise of presenting a highly readable, up-to-date overview of contemporary philosophy of science for biologists. Moreover, some of its chapters offer good contextualized case studies that could also be used for teaching philosophy of biology to philosophers.' Guido I. Prieto, Journal for General Philosophy of Science'… the editors assembled a 'dream-team' of experts in philosophy of biology to write accessible overviews of their specialized research topics that can be read in one sitting and can be used as assigned readings to facilitate discussion… Since each essay has a narrow focus on a particular problem, the volume manages to strike an impressive balance between breadth and depth… The essays are clear and accessible, and yet, admirably, they do not sacrifice philosophical precision and rigor. As a result, many of the essays turn out to be engaging overviews for philosophers and non-philosophers alike. The volume also knows its audience the essays are written to preempt typical 'triggers' that lead scientists to disregard philosophy, such as that philosophical thinking is 'too abstract,' or that it is merely for idle hours … Having a resource like this is incredibly useful for initiating engagement across philosophy and biology, and it is an especially valuable resource for teaching.' Peter Woodford, Metascience'… this book is a success … the book by and large achieves its aims, and could be a base volume for a philosophy pf science course geared towards biologists. ' Aaron Novick, The Quarterly Review of Biology'… I can strongly recommend this book to PhD students as well as senior scientists, working in all branches of ecology. It nicely demonstrates that philosophers of science today usually do not regard themselves as 'guardians over good scientific practice', ready to set rules on how scientists should do their job. Rather, the main interest is in understanding how scientific practice works. The chapters thus provide a great 'view from the outside' … [it] offers inspiring insights into hot topics of philosophy of science with high relevance also for ecologists. And the presumably most convincing advantage of it being an edited volume is that you could start with any one chapter that seems interesting - then, most likely, you will want to read more.' Tina Heger, Basic and Applied Ecology'… Philosophy of Science for Biologists and the collection as a whole will come in handy for everyone looking for well-written, accessible introductions to some of the most exciting topics in the philosophy of biology. The ideas conveyed can undoubtedly be helpful for aspiring biologists.' Sophie Juliane Veigl, Acta Biotheoretica'… will be interesting for students and specialists alike.' Peter Woodford, Metascience'Although philosophically minded, the editors of this volume are primarily biolo­gists, while most of the fifteen chapters are written by philosophers … an informative and sometimes inspiring read. It is probably fair to say that evolutionary biology is the pet subject of philosophers of biology, and there is plenty about evolution to be found in its 300 + pages, but I was glad to see that the scope is much wider than that. Many of the topics covered are classical philosophy of science … The presentation, however, is always tailored to the needs of biologists in that the examples chosen to illustrate philosophical claims are explicitly biological, from paleontology to genetics, and from cultural evolution to Alzheimer's disease … Overall, the book will be interesting and relevant reading for biologists, but also philosophers with a serious interest in biology.' Frank E. Zachos, Philosophy of Science for BiologistsTable of Contents1. Why should biologists care about philosophy of science? Tobias Uller and Kostas Kampourakis; 2. What constitutes an explanation in biology? Angela Potochnik; 3. What is biological knowledge? Kevin McCain; 4. What is the nature of theories and models in biology? Emily Parke and Anya Plutynski; 5. How are biology concepts used and transformed? Ingo Brigandt; 6. Why does it matter that many biology concepts are metaphors? Kostas Kampourakis; 7. How do concepts contribute to scientific advancement? Evolutionary biology as a case study David Depew; 8. How can conceptual analysis contribute to scientific practice? The case of cultural evolution Tim Lewens; 9. What methods do life scientists use? A brief history with philosophical implications Erik L. Peterson; 10. Is it possible to scientifically reconstruct the history of life on earth? The biological sciences and deep time Carol Cleland; 11. What is the basis of biological classification? The search for natural systems Thomas Reydon; 12. What is the nature of scientific controversies in the biological sciences? Michael R. Dietrich; 13. What is the relation between facts and values in biological science? Biology in society Carrie Friese and Barbara Prainsack; 14. A philosopher in the age of creationism: What have I learned after fifty years doing philosophy of biology that I want to pass on to biologists Michael Ruse; 15. How can we teach philosophy of science to biologists? Kostas Kampourakis and Tobias Uller.

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Book SynopsisExam Board: SQALevel: HigherSubject: BiologyFirst Teaching: 2018, First Exam: 2019 Fully up-to-date for the 2019 exam, this is the essential guide to exam skills. It includes detailed advice on how to approach and answer the different types of question you will find in the exam and has been written by two experienced teachers and exam experts.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Vividly told. ... Explicates for the lay reader the intricate biology of our immune system. ... Richtel succeeds in this formidable task.” — JEROME GROOPMAN, New York Review of Books “Deeply affecting. … A compelling modern history of—as well as an elegant defense for—the preeminent science of our time.” — Los Angeles Review of Books “Richtel brilliantly blurs the lines between biology primer, medical historical text and the traditional first-person patient story. ... Richtel harnesses his reporter’s eye for the human condition.” — Washington Post “In this thorough investigation, Richtel details the explosion of knowledge over the past 70 years. ... He weaves into his narrative four case studies [that] add a moving personal dimension.” — BBC, “10 Books to Read This Month” “One of those rare nonfiction books that transcends the genre. ... A fascinating and engrossing account of the latest, and quite astonishing, discoveries involving the human immune system. ... An inspiring and wonderful read. ... I highly recommend this extraordinary book.” — Douglas Preston, #1 bestselling author of The Lost City of the Monkey God “A thorough, richly entertaining and just-wonky-enough beginner’s class in immunology through the case studies of four patients.” — Wall Street Journal “Remarkable. … Richtel is a gifted storyteller. … A story about cutting-edge science, humanely told.” — Matt McCarthy, USA Today “Matt Richtel’s An Elegant Defense is a comprehensive and engaging primer on the body’s ‘ever-vigilant, omnipresent peacekeeping force.’ The immune system plays an essential role in fighting infections and cancer and in regulating our normal health. Read this superb book to better understand one of the enduring mysteries of human biology.” — SANDEEP JAUHAR, New York Times bestselling author of Heart: A History “An expert examination of the immune system. … Richtel illuminates a complex subject so well that even physicians will learn.” — Kirkus, STARRED review “Richtel approaches this essential subject with awe, his writing meticulous and empathic.” — Booklist, STARRED Review “Award-winning reporter Matt Richtel examines the scientific and human realities of immune anomaly through four case studies. … Through these harrowing accounts, Richtel interweaves the research history.” — Nature, “Best Science Picks” “A deeply reported and entertainingly written exploration of the human immune system and how it works.” — USA Today (”5 Books Not to Miss”) “Plumbs the enormous impact of the human immune system. … Despite the topic’s staggering complexity… the heart and craft of a fine storyteller emerges most memorably.” — Mercury News “A remarkable journey of exploration inside the human body. … Richly informative and engaging. … Eminently readable and with so many important takeaways, An Elegant Defense is well worth one’s investment of time.” — Shelf Awareness “An engaging deep dive into our immune system.” — Men’s Health “Richtel’s new book is so useful. ... Give[s] lay readers a means of understanding what’s known so far about the intricate biology of our immune systems.” — The Week, “Book of the Week” “Compelling. … Richtel enthusiastically and compassionately demystifies the science and the story of one of the most intricate and misunderstood landscapes of human biology. … A celebration of life and the journey we all share.” — Washington Independent Review of Books “Enlightening. … Readers who suffer from challenged immune systems will welcome validation for the physical and emotional trials they endure, gain deeper understanding of their ailments, and find hope for the future. Readers who are interested in the human body’s capacity to both harm or heal itself will be fascinated.” — New York Journal of Books “A deeply reported account of how the immune system works. … Richtel weaves dense, complex research into suspense and human drama; his book reads, at times, like a harrowing mystery novel.” — Spirituality and Health magazine “A hard-to-put-down account of the body’s first line of defense.” — Publishers Weekly “A sweeping overview of immunology’s history. ... The prose in An Elegant Defense is vibrant, conversational, direct and often funny. … The content is captivating and useful.” — Science News “[An] entertaining and a worthwhile read.” — The Missourian “Fascinating. ... Rooted in evidence-based research. ... Compelling.” — AudioFile "Books like An Elegant Defense give mainstream readers insights into that process, insights that run deeper than those a textbook might provide. When we understand how science really works, perhaps we will be a bit less susceptible to anti-scientific seductions. Richtel’s elegant analogies and compelling human stories will help us remember the basic concepts of modern immunology long after the jargon and acronyms have been forgotten." — Commentary “A mind-blowing page-turner with moving yet playful human dramas.” — MindBodyGreen "Fascinating read, especially in the context of a pandemic. Through four personal stories, you discover the captivating complexity of our immune system, written in such a way that it’s an easy read for the layman." — Bloomberg News, A Best Book of 2020 “A valuable read that will help you understand what it takes to stop COVID-19. … A super interesting look at the science of immunity.” — Bill Gates

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“A truly astonishing and eminently readable work of chemical detection, provocative, surprising and alive with moments when you just want to tug your neighbor’s sleeve and ask—can you believe this?” — Simon Winchester, bestselling author of The Perfectionists and editor of Lapham's Quarterly "Dan Levitt's What's Gotten Into You is one fascinating journey, from the fireworks of the Big Bang to the busy life of cells, this is a story of scientific discovery, history, dazzling egos, quiet courage, and pure unexpected insight. In other words, the best kind of story. Don't miss it." — Deborah Blum, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Poisoner's Handbook and The Poison Squad "Fascinating . . . . I particularly recommend this book as a gift for high-school and college-age children to spark their interest in science." — Eva Moskowitz, The Wall Street Journal "Levitt sheds light on the tiniest bits of what humans are made of in his stellar debut . . . . This is marvelous." — Publishers Weekly, starred review “Mind-broadening and thought-provoking.” — Boston Globe "Science and history documentarian Dan Levitt’s upcoming book, What's Gotten Into You evokes a series of striking and often forceful images in tracing how our cells, elements, atoms and subatomic particles all found their way to our brains and bones and bodies . . . . it's a pretty mind-blowing book to read." — Bryn Nelson, CNN "[Levitt] keeps matters simple enough that science buffs will be satisfied and average readers will learn a great deal . . . . Lively, illuminating popular science." — Kirkus Reviews “This documentary effort is truly ambitious. He investigates the various chemical elements that make up the human body, then tracks them all the way back to the big bang.” — Library Journal “In What’s Gotten Into You, Dan Levitt delivers a survey of life’s building blocks that’s intelligent, accessible and just sheer fun.” — BookPage "The 14 billion years story of how the primaeval seeds of matter become you and your breakfast—easily digested." — Frank Close, Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics, Oxford University and author of Elusive: How Peter Higgs Solved the Mystery of Mass ". . . brilliant popular science." — Undark "If someone asks you 'Where are you from?', thinking Europe maybe, or China or Africa, some ancient village somewhere, this book tells the deeper story, that you aren't local. You come from everywhere, from the air around you, from the sunshine, from rocks in your solar system, from comets, from distant stars that blew up long ago, from teeny mushroom threads boring into boulders. You and every atom in you have an origin story that will make you feel very small, very lucky and very magnificent and that, says Dan Levitt, is What's Gotten Into You." — Robert Krulwich, cofounder of Radiolab “Great book! Big Bang to vitamins! It brings home how we go about our daily lives with such a narrow and myopic view of the world. It’s refreshing to take a step back to see the very large, very small, and very old. What we know of the nuts and bolts of the universe is so far outside our everyday experiences.” — Paul Kenrick, Paleobotanist, Natural History Museum, London “This book is sheer pleasure, a grand exploration through space and time from the expanding universe to the molecules in living cells. As told through the experiences of the men and women who made the discoveries, this is also a beautifully human story—a marvelous read in every way!” — Ruth Lewin Sime, author of Lise Meitner: A Life in Physics “In this breezy ramble through multiple scientific domains, Dan Levitt takes the popular pursuit of family ancestry to cosmic extremes.” — Laurence Marschall, Natural History "The book is an immense journey and a deep dive into an endless and endlessly fascinating subject." — proto.life “There were many moments when I felt a deep sense of awe at the stranger than fiction journey that our planet has been on.” — GreenSpirit, UK

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Book SynopsisThe 7th edition includes changes reflecting modern understanding, terminology and teaching of the musculoskeletal system. There are changes on 42 different pages including many new or enhanced notes on function and 20 new descriptions or explanations of anatomical relationships. All muscle illustrations are new.Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Skeleton Chapter 2: Movements of the Body Chapter 3: Muscles of the Face and Head Chapter 4: Muscles of the Neck Chapter 5: Muscles of the Trunk Chapter 6: Muscles of the Shoulder and Arm Chapter 7: Muscles of the Forearm and Hand Chapter 8: Muscles of the Hip and Thigh Chapter 9: Muscles of the Leg and Foot

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Book SynopsisDarrell Vodopich, co-author of Biology Laboratory Manual, has written a new lab manual for ecology. This lab manual offers straightforward procedures that are do-able in a board range of classroom, lab and field situations.Table of Contents1 The Nature of Data2 The Process of Science3 Soil Analysis4 Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Cycling5 Population Growth6 Age Distribution and Survivorship7 Terrestrial Plant Community Assessment8 Stream Ecosystem Assessment9 Micro Community Assessment10 Sampling a Plant Community11 Sampling Animal Communities12 Species Diversity13 Primary Production in an Aquatic Community14 Competition15 Natural Selection16 Adaptations of Vertebrates to Their Environment17 Adaptations of Plants to Their Environment

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Book SynopsisThis textbook is the most concise and readable invertebrates book in terms of detail and pedagogy (other texts do not offer boxed readings, a second color, end of chapter questions, or pronunciation guides). All phyla of invertebrates are covered (comprehensive) with an emphasis on unifying characteristics of each group.Table of Contents1 Introduction and Environmental Considerations 2 Invertebrate Classification and Relationships 3 The Protists 4 The Poriferans and Placozoans 5 Introduction to the Hydrostatic Skeleton 6 The Cnidarians 7 The Ctenophores 8 The Platyhelminthes 9 The Mesozoand: Possible Flatworm Relatives10 The Gnathifera: Rotifers, Acanthocephalans, and Two Smaller Groups11 The Nemertines 12 The Molluscs 13 The Annelids 14 The Arthropods 15 Two Phyla of Likely Arthropod Relatives: Tardigrades and Onychophorans 16 The Nematodes 17 Four Phyla of Likely Nematode Relatives: Nematomorpha, Priapulida, Kinorhyncha, and Loricifera 18 Three Phyla of Uncertain Affiliation: Gastrotricha, Chaetognatha, and Cyliophora 19 The Lophophorates (Phoronids, Brachiopods, Bryozoans) and Entoprocts 20 The Echinoderms 21 The Hemichordates 22 The Xenoturbellids: Deuterostomes at Last? 23 The Nonvertebrate Chordates 24 Invertebrate Reproduction and Development--An Overview

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Book SynopsisDesigned to be used with all majors-level general biology textbooks, the included labs are investigative, using both discovery- and hypothesis-based science methods. Students experimentally investigate topics, observe structure, use critical thinking skills to predict and test ideas, and engage in hands-on learning. By emphasizing investigative, quantitative, and comparative approaches to the topics, the authors continually emphasize how the biological sciences are integrative, yet unique. This manual is an excellent choice for colleges and universities that want their students to experience the breadth of modern biology encouraged them to think for themselves.An instructor's manual, provides detailed advice based on the authors' experience on how to prepare materials for each lab, teachings tips and lesson plans, and questions that can be used in quizzes and practical examsTable of ContentsBIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS: Form, Function, Diversity and ProcessTable of ContentsLab Topic 1 Science: A Way of Knowing Lab Topic 2 Using Microscopes and Observing Cells Lab Topic 3 Using Quantitative Technologies Lab Topic 4 Membranes, Diffusion, and Osmosis Lab Topic 5 Visualizing Biological Molecules Lab Topic 6 Determining the Properties of an Enzyme Lab Topic 7Measuring Cellular Respiration Lab Topic 8 Investigating Photosynthesis Lab Topic 9 Mitosis and Chromosome Number Lab Topic 10 Modeling Meiosis and Determining Cross-Over Frequency Lab Topic 11 Analyzing Fruit Fly Phenotypes and Genotypes Interchapter: An Outline of Sterile Technique Lab Topic 12 Isolating DNA and Transformation with Plasmids Lab Topic 13 Modeling Processes in EvolutionInterchapter: Dealing with Diversity Lab Topic 14 Investigating Bacterial Diversity Lab Topic 15 Protists: The First EukaryotesLab Topic 16 Ancestral and Derived Characteristics of Seedless Plants Lab Topic 17 Derived Characteristics of Seed Plants Lab Topic 18 Investigating Fungal Diversity and Symbiotic Relationships Lab Topic 19 From Basal to Bilateral Animals Lab Topic 20 Protostomia: Lophotrochozoa Lab Topic 21 Protostomia: Ecdysozoa Lab Topic 22 Deuterostomes and the Origins of Vertebrates Lab Topic 23 Investigating Plant Cells and Tissues Lab Topic 24 Vascular Plant Functional Anatomy Lab Topic 25 Flowering Plant Reproduction, Development, and DispersalLab Topic 26 Research Project: Chemical Signals in Plant DevelopmentLab Topic 27 Investigating Digestive, Renal, and Reproductive Systems Lab Topic 28 Investigating Circulatory Systems Lab Topic 29 Investigating Animal Gas Exchange Systems Lab Topic 30 Investigating Muscle and Skeletal Systems Lab Topic 31 Investigating Nervous and Sensory Systems Lab Topic 32 Estimating Population Size, Growth and Dispersion Appendix A Significant Figures and Rounding Appendix B Making Graphs Appendix C Simple Statistics Appendix D Writing Reports and Scientific Papers

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Book SynopsisWe wanted a book that includes up-to-date information about evolution in GalÃpagos, yet is accessibleby professional biologists, laypeople, students, armchair travelers, and the merely curious. Namingthe endemic-and often curious-organisms in GalÃpagos from checklists can be rewarding; that's whyyou will find checklists of the islands' iconic species in this book (Chapter 12). But understanding whatyou see is a different adventure, and that is one thing that we hope distinguishes this book from others.In short, we wanted to write a book that would help you not lust identify what you see, but understandwhat you see. Such an understanding goes beyond identification guides and traditional natural historyand requires a context that includes the islands' biology, geology, climate, and history.In this book, you will find discussions (and checklists) of the native and endemic organisms you'llsee, especially the iconic ones such as penguins, land and marine iguanas, finches, giant tortoisesTable of ContentsChapter 1 Evolution and the Galápagos ArchipelagoChapter 2 History of GalápagosChapter 3 Geology and Climate in GalápagosChapter 4 The Islands: Where You’ll Go and What You’ll SeeChapter 5 BirdsChapter 6 ReptilesChapter 7 MammalsChapter 8 FishChapter 9 InvertebratesChapter 10 PlantsChapter 11 Conservation in GalápagosChapter 12 A Checklist of Common Native and Endemic Organisms in GalápagosAppendix 1 GPS Coordinates of Various Sites in GalápagosAppendix 2 Getting Around GalápagosAppendix 3 Darwin’s Name in GalápagosAppendix 4 Rules of Galápagos National Park Appendix 5 Diving in Galápagos Appendix 6 Photography in GalápagosAppendix 7 What to PackAppendix 8 Friends of GalápagosReferencesGlossaryPhoto CreditsIndex

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Book SynopsisThe major objectives of this manual are to provide students with hands-on experiences that are relevant, easy to understand, applicable to the studentâs life, and presented in an interesting, informative format. Ranging from field and lab experiments to conducting social and personal assessments of the environmental impact of human activities, the manual presents something for everyone, regardless of the budget or facilities of each class. These labs are grouped by categories that can be used in conjunction with any introductory environmental textbook.Table of Contents1. Primary Productivity2. Habitat and Niche3. Community Structure4. Estimating Population Size5. Population Dynamics6. Historical Changes in Human Population Characteristics7. Human Population Dynamics8. Plate Tectonics9. Soil Characteristics and Plant Growth10. Stream Ecology and Assessment11. Personal Energy Consumption12. Insulating Properties of Building Materials13. The Effects of Radiation on the Germination and Growth of Squash Seeds14. Evaluating Renewable Energy Sources15. Toxicity Testing (LD50)16. Effects of Salinization on Plants17. Dissolved Oxygen and Biochemical Oxygen Demand18. Air Pollution19. Global Indicators of Climate Change20. Evaluating Ecological Footprint Calculations21. Land-Use Planning on Campus22. Solid Waste Assessment Appendix 1 The Successful Field Trip Appendix 2 Suggestions for Field Trips and Alternative Learning Activities

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Book SynopsisMariÃlle Hoefnagels' passion as a classroom instructor is evident in Biology: Concepts and Investigations, an introductory biology textbook written to explain the general concepts of biology at a level of detail that allows students to understand concepts ratherthan memorize details. New digital resources, upgraded PowerPoint presentations, tutorial animations based on textbook art, upgraded Connect question banks, and adaptive technologies like SmartBook with Learning Resources capitalize on the power of technology to enhance student understanding. Key goals of the book are to:-help the student connect the concepts in thebook to their everyday lives-show connections between ideas within thechapte

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Book SynopsisThe Photo Atlas for General Biology is an excellent source of supplemental information for laboratory and lectures in biology, botany and zoology courses. The atlas provides insight into living organisms that abound all around us but we seldom have the opportunity to study on a gross or microscopic level. New and updated images have been incorporated into this latest edition.Table of ContentsChapter 1 Microscopy Chapter 2 Plant CellsChapter 3 Animal Cells and TissuesChapter 4 Plant Mitosis and GametogenesisChapter 5 Animal Cell Mitosis and MeiosisChapter 6 ProkaryotesChapter 7 Kingdom ProtistaChapter 8 Kingdom FungiChapter 9 BryophytesChapter 10 Seedless Vascular PlantsChapter 11 FernsChapter 12 GymnospermsChapter 13 Flowering PlantsChapter 14 Invertebrate PhylaChapter 15 ChordatesChapter 16The VertebratesChapter 17 Vertebrate DissectionsChapter 18 Human Biology: Histology and Anatomy of Systems Chapter 19 Development

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Book SynopsisThis Essentials Version of the Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Textbook presents the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology in a manner that is appropriate for students in allied health programs such as practical nursing, radiologic technology, medical assisting, and dental assisting. These students usually take a one-semester course in human anatomy and physiology and need a laboratory text that provides coverage of the fundamentals without the clutter of excessive details and unneeded terminology.Table of ContentsUnit 1 Introduction to Anatomy1 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Body Organization2 Microscopes Unit 2 Cells and Tissues3 Cellular Anatomy and Mitosis 4 Membrane Transport 5 Histology Unit 3 Protection, Support, and Movement6 The Integumentary System7 Skeletal Overview8 The Axial Skeleton9 The Appendicular Skeleton10 Articulations and Body Movements11 Muscle Organization and Contractions12 Axial Muscles13 Appendicular MusclesUnit 4 Control and Integration14 The Spinal Cord and Reflex Arcs15 The Brain16 Senses17 The Endocrine SystemUnit 5 Internal Transport and Gas Exchange18 Blood Tests19 The Heart20 Blood Vessels21 The Lymphoid System22 The Respiratory SystemUnit 6 Nutrient Absorption and Water Balance23 The Digestive System24 The Urinary SystemUnit 7 Reproduction25 The Reproductive System

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Book SynopsisThe perfect gift for dog lovers and readers of Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz—this New York Times bestseller offers mesmerizing insights into the thoughts and lives of our smartest and most beloved pets.Does your dog feel guilt? Is she pretending she can't hear you? Does she want affection—or just your sandwich? In their New York Times bestselling book Th­e Genius of Dogs, husband and wife team Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods lay out landmark discoveries from the Duke Canine Cognition Center and other research facilities around the world to reveal how your dog thinks and how we humans can have even deeper relationships with our best four-legged friends.Breakthroughs in cognitive science have proven dogs have a kind of genius for getting along with people that is unique in the animal kingdom. This dog genius revolution is transforming how we live and work with dogs of all breeds, and what it means for you in your dai

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Book SynopsisA gleefully gruesome look at the actual science behind the most outlandish, cartoonish, and impossible deaths you can imagine   What would happen if you took a swim outside a deep-sea submarine wearing only a swimsuit? How long could you last if you stood on the surface of the sun? How far could you actually get in digging a hole to China? Paul Doherty, senior staff scientist at San Francisco’s famed Exploratorium Museum, and writer Cody Cassidy explore the real science behind these and other fantastical scenarios, offering insights into physics, astronomy, anatomy, and more along the way.Is slipping on a banana peel as hazardous to your health as the cartoons imply? Answer: Yes. Banana peels ooze a gel that turns out to be extremely slippery. Your foot and body weight provide the pressure. The gel provides the humor (and resulting head trauma). Can you die by shaking someone’s hand? An

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisDrawing on data from their 16-year study of red-winged blackbirds in the marshes of Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, the authors of this text analyze the information redwings use to make breeding-season decisions and the consequences these decisions have for lifetime reproductive success.

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Book SynopsisPeter Bernhardt leads a grand tour of the botanical realm, weaving engaging descriptions of the shapes and intriguing habits of flowering plants. This work will be of interest to both amateur naturalists and plant scientists.

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Book SynopsisBased on a 12-year study of a population of cliff swallows in America, this book analyzes the costs and benefits of coloniality. The authors explore how these costs and benefits are reflected in reproductive success and survivorship, and speculate on the evolution of cliff swallow coloniality.Table of ContentsPreface 1: Introduction 2: Field Methods and Data Analysis 3: Study Site and Study Population 4: Ectoparasitism 5: Competition for Nest Sites 6: Misdirected Parental Care: Extrapair Copulation, Brood Paratisism, and Mixing of Offspring 7: Shortage of Suitable Nesting Sites 8: Avoidance of Predators 9: Social Foraging 1: Natural History, Food Distribution, and Mechanisms of Information Transfer 10: Social Foraging 2: Effects of Colony Size 11: Reproductive Success 12: Survivorship 13: Colony Choice 14: The Evolution of Coloniality Appendix References Index

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Book SynopsisLeads graduate students and postdoctoral fellows through the perils and rewards of their first job search. This volume covers topics ranging from how to pack an overnight bag without wrinkling a suit to the decision-making processes of hiring committees to selecting the right job to apply for in the first place.Trade Review"I think this book will help a lot of people. It is amazingly comprehensive. The authors don't assume a one-size-fits-all approach, but instead make the reader think hard about what will be the best fit for each situation, by raising the issues they raise and by discussing real-life concerns." - Lynda Delph, associate chair, Department of Biology, Indiana University"

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Book SynopsisArgues that what we need to more forward in our understanding of human agency is a reform in the way we study ourselves and a long overdue break with traditional humanist thinking. This title draws from the history of science and contemporary psychology and neuroscience to build a framework for the study of human agency.Trade Review"This is a highly original and very provocative book. Davies puts forth a version of naturalism that is far more critical of our philosophical and intellectual heritage than past proponents have dared to be. Sharply and forcefully argued, it will be of interest to a substantial range of philosophers, biologists, cognitive scientists, and lay readers." - William Bechtel, University of California, San Diego"

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Book SynopsisThe second largest order of mammals, Chiroptera comprises more than one thousand species of bats. Because of their mobility, bats are often the only native mammals on isolated oceanic islands, where more than half of all bat species live. This book focuses on the evolution, ecology, and conservation of bats living in the world's island ecosystems.Trade Review"Island Bats will be of great interest to ecologists, biogeographers, conservation biologists in general, and bat biologists in particular - especially those interested in the biology of island faunas. The new information presented in this book should stimulate the next generation of bat researchers to increase their efforts to protect and conserve these threatened faunas." - Thomas H. Kunz, editor of Bat Ecology"

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Book SynopsisThe author draws on 16 years of research at Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, in the USA, to provide this account of prairie dog social behaviour. Through comparisons with more than 300 other animal species, he offers new insights into basic theory in behavioural ecology and sociobiology.Table of ContentsPreface Ch. 1: Prairie Dogs and Coloniality Ch. 2: Taxonomy and Natural History Ch. 3: Burrows Ch. 4: Study Sites and Methods Ch. 5: Costs and Benefits of Coloniality Ch. 6: The Coterie Ch. 7: Infanticide, the Major Cause of Juvenile Mortality Ch. 8: The Antipredator Call Ch. 9: Communal Nursing Ch. 10: Kin Recognition, Social Learning, and Eusociality Ch. 11: Behavioral Observations of Estrus and Copulations Ch. 12: Annual and Lifetime Reproductive Success Ch. 13: Factors That Affect Annual and Lifetime Reproductive Success Ch. 14: Levels of Inbreeding Ch. 15: Do Mothers Manipulate the Sex Ratio of Their Litters? Ch. 16: Demography and Population Dynamics Ch. 17: Behavioral Ecology of Prairie Dogs Appendix A. Common and Scientific Names of Organisms Mentioned in This Book Appendix B. Descriptions of Infanticides by Marauding Females Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisField biology is enjoying a resurgence due to several factors, the most important being the realization that there is no ecology, no conservation, and no ecosystem restoration without an understanding of the basic relationships between species and their environmentsan understanding gleaned only through field-based natural history. With this resurgence, modern field biologists find themselves asking fundamental existential questions such as: Where did we come from? What is our story? Are we part of a larger legacy? In This Land Is Your Land, seasoned field biologist Michael J. Lannoo answers these questions and more in a tale rooted in the people and institutions of the Midwest. It is a story told from the ground up, a rubber bootbased natural history of field biology in America. Lannoo illuminates characters such as John Wesley Powell, William Temple Hornaday, and Olaus and Adolph Muriehomegrown midwestern field biologists who either headed east to populate major research centers or

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Book SynopsisPaying special attention to the fertile boundaries between terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, this work shows not only what this new methodology means for ecology, conservation, and agriculture but also serves as a fitting tribute to Gary Polis and his major contributions to the field

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Book SynopsisPaying special attention to the fertile boundaries between terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, this work shows not only what this new methodology means for ecology, conservation, and agriculture but also serves as a fitting tribute to Gary Polis and his major contributions to the field

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive, up-to-date survey of existing knowledge of South America's terrestrial and marine mammals.

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Book SynopsisDo the sciences aim to uncover the structure of nature, or are they a practical means of controlling our environment? This work argues that while physics and chemistry can develop laws revealing the structure of natural phenomena, biology is fated to be a practical, instrumental discipline.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Chapter 1: Biology as an Instrumental Science Chapter 2: Whatever Happened to Reductionism, and Why? Chapter 3: Reductionism and Explanation in Molecular Biology Chapter 4: Evolution, Drift, and Subjective Probability Chapter 5: Biological Instrumentalism and the Levels of Selection Chapter 6: Theories and Models, Replicators and Interactors Chapter 7: Instrumental Biology and Intentional Psychology Chapter 8: Biology and the Behavioral Sciences Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisReading the Shape of Nature vividly recounts the turbulent early history of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard and the contrasting careers of its founder Louis Agassiz and his son Alexander. Through the story of this institution and the individuals who formed it, Mary P. Winsor explores the conflicting forces that shaped systematics in the second half of the nineteenth century. Debates over the philosophical foundations of classification, details of taxonomic research, the young institution's financial struggles, and the personalities of the men most deeply involved are all brought to life. In 1859, Louis Agassiz established the Museum of Comparative Zoology to house research on the ideal types that he believed were embodied in all living forms. Agassiz's vision arose from his insistence that the order inherent in the diversity of life reflected divine creation, not organic evolution. But the mortar of the new museum had scarcely dried when Darwin's Origin was published. By L

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Book SynopsisHow animals speak to each other and to humans, from chimpanzees who learn sign language to dogs who parse the meaning of other dogs' growls.Is language what sets humans apart from other animals, as many have argued? Or do animals speak in their own languages, to each other and to us? In Animal Languages, Eva Meijer explores the latter possibility. Meijer tells us about Alex, the gray parrot who knew more than one hundred words, and Chaser, the border collie who had a talent for grammar. She introduces us to Washoe, the chimpanzee who grew up with humans and learned sign language; Kosik, the elephant who spoke to humans in human language and to his female elephant companion in elephant language; and Noc, the beluga whale who mimicked human speech. She tells us that dogs are able to interpret the meaning of other dogs' growls; that prairie dogs have alarm calls that offer informative details about intruders (specifying, among other things, size, color, and speed o

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Book SynopsisThe body in dreams, myths, legends, and anecdotes of the fantastic as expressions of human corporeality.In The Body Fantastic, Frank Gonzalez-Crussi looks at the human body through the lens of dreams, myths, legends, and anecdotes of the bizarre, exploring the close connection of the fictitious and the fabulous to our conception of the body. He chronicles, among other curious cases, the man who ate everything (including boiled hedgehogs and mice on toast), the therapeutic powers of saliva, hair that burst into flames, and an amphibian man who lived under water. Drawing on clinical records, popular lore, and art, history, and literature, Gonzalez-Crussi considers the body in both real and imaginary dimensions. Myths and stories, Gonzalez-Crussi reminds us, are the symbolic expression of our aspirations and emotions. These fantastic tales of bodies come from the deepest regions of the human psyche. Ancient Greeks, for example, believed that the uterus wander

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Book SynopsisHow genomics reveals deep histories of inequality, going back many thousands of years. Inequality is an urgent global concern, with pundits, politicians, academics, and best-selling books all taking up its causes and consequences. In Inequality, Carles Lalueza-Fox offers an entirely new perspective on the subject, examining the genetic marks left by inequality on humans throughout history. Lalueza-Fox describes genetic studies, made possible by novel DNA sequencing technologies, that reveal layers of inequality in past societies, manifested in patterns of migration, social structures, and funerary practices. Through their DNA, ancient skeletons have much to tell us, yielding anonymous stories of inequality, bias, and suffering. Lalueza-Fox, a leader in paleogenomics, offers the deep history of inequality. He explores the ancestral shifts associated with migration and describes the gender bias unearthed in these migrations—the brutal sex

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Book SynopsisStories of long-lived animal species—from thousand-year-old tubeworms to 400-year-old sharks—and what they might teach us about human health and longevity.Opossums in the wild don’t make it to the age of three; our pet cats can live for a decade and a half; cicadas live for seventeen years (spending most of them underground). Whales, however, can live for two centuries and tubeworms for several millennia. Meanwhile, human life expectancy tops out around the mid-eighties, with some outliers living past 100 or even 110. Is there anything humans can learn from the exceptional longevity of some animals in the wild? In Methusaleh’s Zoo, Steven Austad tells the stories of some extraordinary animals, considering why, for example, animal species that fly live longer than earthbound species and why animals found in the ocean live longest of all. Austad—the leading authority on longevity in animals—argues that the best way we

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Book SynopsisHow viruses emerge to cause pandemics, how our immune system combats them, and how diagnostic tests, vaccines, and antiviral therapies work.Throughout history, humans have contended with pandemics. History is replete with references to plagues, pestilence, and contagion, but the devastation wrought by pandemics had been largely forgotten by the twenty-first century. Now, the enormous human and economic toll of the rapidly spreading COVID-19 disease offers a vivid reminder that infectious disease pandemics are one of the greatest existential threats to humanity. This book provides an accessible explanation of how viruses emerge to cause pandemics, how our immune system combats them, and how diagnostic tests, vaccines, and antiviral therapies work-- concepts that are a foundation for our public health policies.

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Book SynopsisContributors explore common elements in the evolutionary histories of both human and insect agriculture resulting from convergent evolution.During the past 12,000 years, agriculture originated in humans as many as twenty-three times, and during the past 65 million years, agriculture also originated in nonhuman animals at least twenty times and in insects at least fifteen times. It is much more likely that these independent origins represent similar solutions to the challenge of growing food than that they are due purely to chance. This volume seeks to identify common elements in the evolutionary histories of both human and insect agriculture that are the results of convergent evolution. The goal is to create a new, synthetic field that characterizes, quantifies, and empirically documents the evolutionary and ecological mechanisms that drive both human and nonhuman agriculture.  The contributors report on the results of quantitative analyses comparing hu

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Book SynopsisA richly illustrated exploration of the astonishing diversity in sexual characteristics and behaviors of plants from the fig-tree to the sacred lotus.Why do some plants flower while others do not? What happens during pollination? How can the Haleakalā silversword reproduce all alone? In Sexus Botanicus, artist and writer Joanne Anton sheds light on the fertilization process of plants and relates their origins and their spectacular diversity. While sexuality has long been a source of interest for us humans, we sometimes forget to consider its primordial role in evolution. Without sexuality and the genetic union it enables, life would not assume the biodiversity it displays. Sexus Botanicus introduces us to a wide range of extraordinary specimens, some very ancient and still with us, and some their descendants by millions of years: time-traveling plants (from the wedding of a mushroom and an alga 450 million years ago to the amorous mosses that help maint

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Book SynopsisStories of long-lived animal species—from thousand-year-old tubeworms to 400-year-old sharks—and what they might teach us about human health and longevity.Opossums in the wild don’t make it to the age of three; our pet cats can live for a decade and a half; cicadas live for seventeen years (spending most of them underground). Whales, however, can live for two centuries and tubeworms for several millennia. Meanwhile, human life expectancy tops out around the mid-eighties, with some outliers living past 100 or even 110. Is there anything humans can learn from the exceptional longevity of some animals in the wild? In Methusaleh’s Zoo, Steven Austad tells the stories of some extraordinary animals, considering why, for example, animal species that fly live longer than earthbound species and why animals found in the ocean live longest of all.Austad—the leading authority on longevity in animals—argues that the best way we will

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