Zoology: mammals (mammalogy) Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Yellowstone Wolves summarizes over two decades of hard work, involving dozens of dedicated scientists and advocates, to bring these wolves back to Yellowstone. . . . Their voices are skillfully combined to tell the many-faceted narratives in this marvelous book. . . . The overall success of this long-term effort provides information that will be of inestimable value to other restoration projects, sharing methods that can help wolves and humans coexist in a changing world and an example of what can happen if people unite to give Mother Nature a chance."--Jane Goodall, from the forewordTable of ContentsStudy Area Map A Note on Accompanying Video Robert K. Landis Foreword Jane Goodall Preface Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, and Daniel R. MacNultyPart 1 History and Reintroduction 1 Historical and Ecological Context for Wolf Recovery Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, and Lee H. Whittlesey Box 1.1 Wolf History and Surveys in Yellowstone National Park John Weaver 2 How Wolves Returned to Yellowstone Steven H. Fritts, Rebecca J. Watters, Edward E. Bangs, Douglas W. Smith, and Michael K. Phillips Box 2.1 To Reintroduce or Not to Reintroduce, That Is the Question Diane Boyd Guest Essay: Why Are Yellowstone Wolves Important? L. David MechPart 2 Behavioral and Population Ecology 3 Essential Biology of the Wolf: Foundations and Advances Daniel R. MacNulty, Daniel R. Stahler, Tim Coulson, and Douglas W. Smith 4 Ecology of Family Dynamics in Yellowstone Wolf Packs Daniel R. Stahler, Douglas W. Smith, Kira A. Cassidy, Erin E. Stahler, Matthew C. Metz, Rick McIntyre, and Daniel R. MacNulty Box 4.1 Naming Wolf Packs Daniel R. Stahler 5 Territoriality and Competition between Wolf Packs Kira A. Cassidy, Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, Erin E. Stahler, and Matthew C. Metz Box 5.1 Auditory Profile: The Howl of the Wolf John B. Theberge and Mary T. Theberge 6 Population Dynamics and Demography Douglas W. Smith, Kira A. Cassidy, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, Quinn Harrison, Ben Balmford, Erin E. Stahler, Ellen E. Brandell, and Tim Coulson Guest Essay: Yellowstone Wolves Are Important Because They Changed Science Rolf O. Peterson and Trevor S. PetersonPart 3 Genetics and Disease 7 Yellowstone Wolves at the Frontiers of Genetic Research Daniel R. Stahler, Bridgett M. vonHoldt, Elizabeth Heppenheimer, and Robert K. Wayne 8 The K Locus: Rise of the Black Wolf Rena M. Schweizer, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, Tim Coulson, Phil Hedrick, Rachel Johnston, Kira A. Cassidy, Bridgett M. vonHoldt, and Robert K. Wayne 9 Infectious Diseases in Yellowstone’s Wolves Ellen E. Brandell, Emily S. Almberg, Paul C. Cross, Andrew P. Dobson, Douglas W. Smith, and Peter J. Hudson Guest Essay: Why Are Yellowstone Wolves Important? A European Perspective Olof LibergPart 4 Wolf-Prey Relationships 10 How We Study Wolf-Prey Relationships Douglas W. Smith, Matthew C. Metz, Daniel R. Stahler, and Daniel R. MacNulty Box 10.1 Nine-Three-Alpha Douglas W. Smith Box 10.2 The Bone Collectors Ky Koitzsch and Lisa Koitzsch 11 Limits to Wolf Predatory Performance Daniel R. MacNulty, Daniel R. Stahler, and Douglas W. Smith Box 11.1 Tougher Times for Yellowstone Wolves Reflected in Tooth Wear and Fracture Blaire Van Valkenburgh 12 What Wolves Eat and Why Matthew C. Metz, Mark Hebblewhite, Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, Aimee Tallian, and John A. Vucetich Box 12.1 Bison in Wood Buffalo National Park L. N. Carbyn 13 Wolf Predation on Elk in a Multi-Prey Environment Matthew C. Metz, Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, and Mark Hebblewhite Box 13.1 Generalizing Wolf-Prey Dynamics across Systems: Yellowstone, Banff, and Isle Royale Mark Hebblewhite Box 13.2 The Predator’s Perspective: Biomass of Prey Matthew C. Metz Box 13.3 Lessons from Denali National Park: Stability in Predator-Prey Dynamics Is a Pause on the Way to Somewhere Else Layne Adams 14 Population Dynamics of Northern Yellowstone Elk after Wolf Reintroduction Daniel R. MacNulty, Daniel R. Stahler, Travis Wyman, Joel Ruprecht, Lacy M. Smith, Michel T. Kohl, and Douglas W. Smith Box 14.1 Wolves and Elk in the Madison Headwaters Robert A. Garrott, P. J. White, Claire Gower, Matthew S. Becker, Shana Drimal, Ken L. Hamlin, and Fred G. R. Watson Box 14.2 Ecology of Fear Daniel R. Stahler and Daniel R. MacNulty Guest Essay: The Value of Yellowstone’s Wolves? The Power of Choice Michael K. PhillipsPart 5 Ecosystem Effects and Species Interactions 15 Indirect Effects of Carnivore Restoration on Vegetation Rolf O. Peterson, Robert L. Beschta, David J. Cooper, N. Thompson Hobbs, Danielle Bilyeu Johnston, Eric J. Larsen, Kristin N. Marshall, Luke E. Painter, William J. Ripple, Joshua R. Rose, Douglas W. Smith, and Evan C. Wolf Box 15.1 Long-Term Trends in Beaver, Moose, and Willow Status in the Southern Portion of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Daniel B. Tyers 16 Competition and Coexistence among Yellowstone’s Meat Eaters Daniel R. Stahler, Christopher C. Wilmers, Aimee Tallian, Colby B. Anton, Matthew C. Metz, Toni K. Ruth, Douglas W. Smith, Kerry A. Gunther, and Daniel R. MacNulty Guest Essay: Old Dogs Taught Old Lessons Paul C. PaquetPart 6 Conservation, Management, and the Human Experience 17 Wolves and Humans in Yellowstone Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Rick McIntyre, Erin E. Stahler, and Kira A. Cassidy 18 The Wolf Watchers Nathan Varley, Rick McIntyre, and James Halfpenny Box 18.1 Bob Landis’s Yellowstone Wolves Documentaries 000 Box 18.2 Seeing Wolves Robert Hayes 19 Conservation and Management: A Way Forward Douglas W. Smith, P. J. White, Daniel R. Stahler, Rebecca J. Watters, Kira A. Cassidy, Adrian Wydeven, Jim Hammill, and David E. Hallac Guest Essay: Making Better Sense of Wolves Susan G. Clark Afterword Rebecca J. Watters, Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, and Daniel R. MacNulty Acknowledgments Appendix: Species Names Used in the Text Literature Cited List of Contributors Author Index Subject Index

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Book SynopsisBased on a study in the Serengeti National Park, this title describes the vast impact of the lion and other predators on the great herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle for which the area is famous. It includes the author's findings on various aspects of lion behavior, including its social system, population dynamics, and predation patterns.Trade Review"This book conveys not only the fascination of its particular study of lion behavior but the drama and wonder and beauty of the intimate interdependence of all living things." - Saturday Review "If you have only enough time to read one book about field biology, this is the one I recommend." - Edward O. Wilson, Science "This is an important book, not just for its valuable information on lions, but for its broad, open, and intelligent approach to problems that cut across the fields of behavior, populations, ecology, wildlife management, evolution, anthropology, and comparative biology." - Richard G. Van Gelder, Bioscience "By the time the reader has finished this book, the Serengeti, its landscapes, seasons, and wildlife, takes shape in the mind as a complex and epic poem, each part a function of every other part and each part a function of the whole." - George Stade, New York Times Book Review"

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Book SynopsisSpotlight: Hares is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct and detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.With their wild glare, swift turn of foot and secretive nature, hares are the rabbit''s mysterious and untameable cousin. Always a thrilling wildlife spot, hares have also been associated with human culture and folklore for many centuries - their associations with spring can be traced back to the druids. Focussing on the Brown Hare and its relative the Mountain Hare, RSPB Spotlight Hares offers exciting and up-to-date information on these incredible lagomorphs, with chapters covering their biology, evolution, natural history, behaviour, including courtship rituals, and ecology. Information on some of the more charismatic species of hare found elsewhere in the world and on hares'' other relatives, the rabbits and pikas, is also provided. Author Nancy Jennings discusses in detail HaresTable of ContentsMeet the Hares Evolution and Adaptations Relatives Around the World The Lives of Hares Breeding Machines Growing Up Fast Eat or Be Eaten Conservation of Hares Humans and Hares Folklore and Art How to See Hares Glossary Acknowledgements Further Reading and Resources Image Credits Index

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Book SynopsisWhat would it be like to live in a world with no predators roaming our landscapes? Would their elimination, which humans have sought with ever greater urgency in recent times, bring about a pastoral, peaceful human civilization? Or in fact is their existence critical to our own, and do we need to be doing more to assure their health and the health of the landscapes they need to thrive? In The Carnivore Way, Cristina Eisenberg argues compellingly for the necessity of top predators in. large, undisturbed landscapes, and how a continental-Iong corridor - a "carnivore way" - provides the room they need to roam and connected landscapes that allow them to disperse. Eisenberg follows the footsteps of six large carnivores - wolves, grizzly bears, lynx, jaguars, wolverines, and cougars - on a 7,500-mile wildlife corridor from Alaska to Mexico along the Rocky Mountains. Backed by robust science, she shows how their well-being is a critical factor in sustaining healthy landscapes and how it is possible for humans and large carnivores to coexist peacefully and even to thrive. University students in natural resource science programs, resource managers, conservation organisations, and anyone curious about carnivore ecology and management in a changing world will find a thoughtful guide to large carnivore conservation that dispels long-held myths about their ecology and contributions to healthy, resilient landscapes.

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Book SynopsisIdentify Colorado mammals with this easy-to-use field guide, organized by family and featuring full-color photographs and helpful information. Whether you happen upon an animal track or actually see wildlife in nature, interacting with mammals is a thrill. Learn to identify mammals in Colorado. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, mammal identification is simple and informative. The Mammals of Colorado Field Guide features all 130 species found in the state, organized by family and then by size. When you see a mammal, you can determine its family by common visual characteristics and then turn to the corresponding section to find out what it is! Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-color photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. This second edition includes updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab the Mammals of Colorado Field Guide for your next outing to help ensure that you positively identify the wildlife you see. Inside you’ll find: All 130 of Colorado’s mammals, from mice to moose Facts about size, habitat, range, young, and more Times each animal is most likely to be active and signs it might leave behind Professional photos, range maps, and track patterns Stan’s naturalist notes and fascinating facts

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Book SynopsisIdentify Minnesota mammals with this easy-to-use field guide, organized by family and featuring full-color photographs and helpful information. Whether you happen upon an animal track or actually see wildlife in nature, interacting with mammals is a thrill. Learn to identify mammals in Minnesota. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, mammal identification is simple and informative. The Mammals of Minnesota Field Guide features all 75 species found in the state, organized by family and then by size. When you see a mammal, you can determine its family by common visual characteristics and then turn to the corresponding section to find out what it is! Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-color photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. This second edition includes updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab the Mammals of Minnesota Field Guide for your next outing to help ensure that you positively identify the wildlife you see. Inside you’ll find: All 75 of Minnesota’s mammals, from mice to moose Facts about size, habitat, range, young, and more Times each animal is most likely to be active and signs it might leave behind Professional photos, range maps, and track patterns Stan’s naturalist notes and fascinating facts

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Book SynopsisIdentify Wisconsin mammals with this easy-to-use field guide, organized by family and featuring full-color photographs and helpful information. Whether you happen upon an animal track or actually see wildlife in nature, interacting with mammals is a thrill. Learn to identify mammals in Wisconsin. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, mammal identification is simple and informative. The Mammals of Wisconsin Field Guide features all 71 species found in the state, organized by family and then by size. When you see a mammal, you can determine its family by common visual characteristics and then turn to the corresponding section to find out what it is! Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-color photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. This second edition includes updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab the Mammals of Wisconsin Field Guide for your next outing to help ensure that you positively identify the wildlife you see. Inside you’ll find: All 71 of Wisconsin’s mammals, from mice to moose Facts about size, habitat, range, young, and more Times each animal is most likely to be active and signs it might leave behind Professional photos, range maps, and track patterns Stan’s naturalist notes and fascinating facts

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Book SynopsisThe Eurasian beaver was near extinction at the start of the twentieth century, hunted across Europe for its fur, meat and castoreum. But now the beaver is on the brink of a comeback, with wild beaver populations, licensed and unlicensed, emerging all over Britain. As a keystone species, the beaver plays a vital role in the creation of sustainable wetland habitats through its damming activities, providing living opportunities for a broad spectrum of wildlife. Yet as proposals for reintroducing beavers are underway, re-establishing the beaver in Britain is still a controversial issue. This book presents a case for our future coexistence with beavers by providing factual information on this species that has now passed from national memory, covering the biology, behaviour and ecology of the Eurasian beaver in a British context, from their early history in archaeology and folklore to their contemporary field signs in the wild. This book familiarises readers once again, after almost 400 years of its absence, with the Eurasian beaver, providing essential information on its requirements in our human dominated landscape. This book is for those with a specific interest in beavers and their reintroduction, and for anyone with a general curiosity in natural history, ecology or animal behaviour. It can be used as a field guide to identify beaver field signs and observe beavers in the wild by wildlife surveyors or general land users, or as an introductory guide for anyone with an interest in beavers and how to recognise them. The authors have been actively involved in the study of beaver ecology, behaviour and reintroduction for many years. They have a first-hand knowledge of beavers in captivity and in the wild in both Britain and a range of other European countries.Trade ReviewThe authors provide an update on their experiences direct from the field, the quarantine area and the veterinary table. This fascinating book promotes a future co-existence with beavers in Britain by providing factual information on their biology, behaviour and the habitats they help to generate. This remarkable, unassuming animal has the capacity to help renaturalise our rivers, re-create areas of wetland, increase biodiversity, provide natural flood defence, protect soils and filter and purify our water. -- Nick Mott Staffordshire Wildlife This admirable little book tells you all you are ever likely to want to know about the beaver. It is illustrated with many photos of the animal and its habitat, with maps showing its distribution and tables of the plants it eats and the signs it leaves. Despite the text being only 44 pages long, the authors cover everything you might want to know about these fascinating rodents. Beavers are being re-introduced to Scotland and Devon but it is very unlikely that they will find their way to Derbyshire. So you will have to travel if you want to see them for yourself. My only encounter with beavers was on holiday in Estonia. Kath and I stopped in Soomaa National Park and wandered about in the forests finding both felled trees and huge beaver lodges. One evening while walking by a stream, we were startled by the amazingly loud 'slap' of a beaver's tail close to us. This loud noise warns the animal's family of danger. It's a remarkable and unmistakeable sound which certainly scared the life out of us! A ripple running down the stream was the closest we came to seeing one. One thing I had never realised was that Beverley in Yorkshire gets its name from the beaver. And another; that beavers don't eat coniferous trees though they sometimes fell them to use as lodge-building material. -- Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Derbyshire Wildlife TrustTable of ContentsChapters include: Introduction: folklore and history. Beaver Biology and Behaviours: taxonomy; identification; adaptations for a semi-aquatic lifestyle; adaptations for a life on land; breeding; social behaviour; defensive behaviours; chemical communication and scent marking behaviours; food processing and foraging behaviour. Habitat and Population Biology: life history; movements, activity and territoriality. Beaver Field Signs: teeth marks; felled and gnawed trees; grazing lawns/vascular plants; feeding stations; foraging trails; lodges and burrows; dams; canals; scent mounds; faeces; tracks/prints. Observing Beavers: remote camera trapping. Beavers in Modern Landscapes: beavers and the law; beavers as ecosystem engineers; the return of the beaver.

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Book SynopsisCarnivores include some of the most impressive, dangerous and mysterious animals in the world. Hans Kruuk has spent his life studying them against magnificent backdrops, from the Serengeti savannahs and Kalahari deserts to the Scottish Highlands, from the Galápagos Islands to the Far East. In each location he has used meticulous observation of animal behaviour to understand the ecology and natural history of wild carnivore populations, and ultimately to promote their conservation. This book describes the methods, challenges and rewards of the science of behavioural ecology. However, it essentially concerns the personal, rather than the scientific, side of that work, and above all the field experiences involved. With photographs and line drawings, it brings to life African safaris, the hyena in his bath, flights with vultures, dives with otters, attacks by a badger in Scotland and by feral dogs in Galápagos, gull-eating hedgehogs in Britain and the role of animals in African witchcraft. The author communicates his lifelong fascination with wildlife through these unique experiences and the insights they afforded him. Professor Kruuk is a leading authority on animal behaviour and the author of classic studies of hyaenas, otters and badgers, as well as a biography of his Oxford mentor Niko Tinbergen.Trade ReviewIn “The Call of Carnivores” Kruuk sheds a more intimate light on his research career than we are able to glean from his numerous scientific publications. Readers are taken along for the scientist’s geographical and professional journey as he entertains us with stories about the many aspects of fieldwork which never make it into published papers. ..... Kruuk provides an exciting and interesting narrative; a mixture of informative discoveries in the natural sciences and the recounting of the journey of his own personal experiences, reflections and contemplations. ..... This book demonstrates how significant contributions to science typically involve a combination of conscientiousness, a good measure of fortuitous meetings or conversations, an abundance of peer support and most importantly – the capacity to recognise and seize opportunities with both hands when they appear. -- Katherine Whitehouse-Tedd (Nottingham Trent University) * Journal of Vertebrate Biology *Kruuk is a humble and engaging narrator… I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who has felt the call of wild places and wild species. -- Heather Cray * The Canadian Field-Naturalist *Table of Contents1. In the field 2. Camouflage in an aquarium 3. Gulls and their enemies: foxes and hedgehogs 4. Serengeti: hyenas, lions and the dusty track to Seronera 5. Solomon, the hyena in my bath 6. Clans of the savannah 7. Hyenas hunt 8. Witches, and death in the dark 9. Masai, people and art on the Serengeti plains 10. Striped without a clan 11. Kalahari desert: a story of sand dunes, people, hyenas and badgers 12. Nomads of northern Kenya 13. Harar, town of the people’s hyena 14. Vultures gathering 15. Flying next to vultures 16. Chasing dogs on Darwin’s islands 17. Badgering in Britain 18. Olfactory delights and olives 19. Shetland otters 20. Otters in and around the garden 21. Otters, crocodiles and orcas 22. Three monks, calls of gibbons, and otters in Thailand 23. Down under: Platypus, Quolls and leeches 24. Just one last project

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Book SynopsisThe behaviour of domesticated animals is a subject of great importance to students of animal behaviour and veterinary medicine, as well as interested pet owners. This book presents an engaging overview of the behaviour of the domestic cat, adopting both a mechanistic and functional approach. Physiological, developmental and psychological aspects are addressed, including domestication, the development of the senses, learning, communication and feeding behaviour. The authors build on these themes to discuss social behaviour, hunting and predation, cat-human interactions and welfare. Fully updated throughout, this new edition also includes two new chapters on behavioural disorders due to pathologies and from misdirected natural behaviour. It is an essential source of cat behaviour information for students, ethologists, veterinarians and pet owners.Table of Contents1: The Cat: Domestication and Biology 2: Sensory Abilities 3: Mechanisms of Behaviour 4: Behavioural Development 5: Communication 6: Feeding Behaviour 7: Hunting and Predation 8: Social Behaviour 9: The Cat-Human Relationship 10: Cat Welfare 11: Undesired Behaviour in the Domestic Cat 12: Physiological and Pathological Causes of Behavioural Change

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Book SynopsisOver 1000 people a year in the UK report seeing 'big cats', possibly pumas or panthers. Have these animals escaped from zoos? Are they the descendants of pets released into wild? Or is there another solution to the mystery? In this extraordinary book, big cat tracker Merrily Harpur interviews farmers, gamekeepers, ornithologists, policemen and even parents who have seen curious cats on the school run. In the process she discovers our mystery felines may have been with us for longer than we imagine, and draws some startling conclusions from what is now the commonest encounter with the unknown in Britain.

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Book SynopsisUna vez finalizada esta colección del Handbook of the Mammals of the World(HMW), presentamos una nueva obra que la complementa: el Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of the World. Esta obra, compuesta por dos volúmenes indivisibles, actualiza la taxonomía de todas las especies de mamíferos. Este nuevo checklist ilustrado incorpora toda la información científica publicada recientemente y la combina en un nuevo y conciso texto para cada especie. Además del nombre científico actualizado de cada especie, se incluyen los nombres comunes en inglés, francés, alemán y español. También incorpora la categoría de conservación de la Lista Roja de la UICN para cada especie. Las notas taxonómicas están actualizadas con los cambios más recientes al igual que las distribuciones. Si existen subespecies aceptadas, también están actualizadas junto con sus áreas de distribución. Cada especie incluye una ilustración científica (adaptada del HMW) junto con un mapa de distribución revisado. Para los que ya poseen la colección del HMW, esta nueva obra les proporcionará una actualización de todas las especies incluidas las recientemente descritas. Pero para los que no lo tienen, el Checklist of the Mammals of the World es una obra independiente que proporciona un completo resumen de la taxonomía y la distribución actual de cada especie de mamífero conocido.

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Book SynopsisIn all scientific disciplines, there is an expanding gap between what is known by the general public and what is known by scientists. In this book, Dr. Bruce McLellan tries to bridge that gap.Coexisting with grizzly bears into the future will be an increasing challenge and require a deep understanding of these large carnivores and what factors make their populations tick. Based on perhaps the longest uninterrupted wildlife research project done by one individual, this is the intertwined story of the science underlying our understanding of grizzly bears and family life in the wilderness while following bears.The story of grizzly bear behaviour and ecology is based on dozens of research papers published in this study, which in turn are based on the actual lives of over 200 radio-collared bears. These chapters are not written for dummies but contain considerable substance for people interested in the science behind animal ecology and conservation. The scientific chapters cover topics ranging from the bears' diet and how it influences changes in body fat and muscle, to how bears are counted and factors that influence births and deaths and regulate population size.Mixed among the science chapters is the story of how a couple in their mid-20s began the Flathead grizzly project, built a log cabin on the bank of the Flathead River, had babies, and raised them in the wilderness among bears, wolves, and mountain lions. They endured floods that washed away part of their camp, forest fires that burned thousands of square miles, and some very weird people. Both children grew up with grizzly bears and eventually earned their own M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in the ecology of these amazing animals.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOrganized as a 'walk through time' and featuring species from 15 important fossil sites, this book is the most extensive and richly illustrated volume devoted exclusively to the Cenozoic mammals of South America. * BirdBooker Report *Horned Armadillos and Rafting Monkeys is a magnificent book, with splendid and exacting illustrations, a necessary update between two covers for specialists as well as for palaeontologists unfamiliar with South America. It is also an accessible book for the educated public. Darin Croft's writing project is unquestionably useful. Velizar Simeonovski has proposed a daunting challenge to the next generation of illustrators. -- Ephraim Nissan * Priscum, The Newsletter of the Palentological Society *This handsome book, written by a leading expert in South American paleontology, is profusely illustrated with maps, time charts, color photographs of fossils, and exquisite life reconstructions. The book is accessible to the general reader, and it will appeal to any individual, young and old alike, interested in the fossil record, as well as to students and scholars of paleontology who work in other parts of the globe. * Choice *An expert in fossil mammals from South America, this is Croft's magnum opus on his life's passion. * Twilight Beasts *"Given the wealth of unfamiliar animals the volume presents, even readers well versed in vertebrate biodiversity willnd it rewarding." * The Quarterly Review of Biology *"It is by far the best and most satisfying book-sized work that looks at South America's extinct fauna so far, and it is unique in its depth of coverage and quality of content. I encourage you to get hold of a copy yourself." * Scientific American Blog Network *"All these considerations make this book a great source of information for the non-specialist, and a nice summary for those researchers looking for a synthesis of Cenozoic South American fossil sites." * J Mammal Evol *Horned Armadillos and Rafting Monkeys is an excellent work that will be of interest to anyone that appreciates the extraordinary world of extinct and living mammals, extinction processes, and the loss of biodiversity, and the unique natural history of South America. The combination of scientific information and vivid paleoart reconstructions makes this book a valuable source for an appreciation of these ancient beasts and the ecosystems in which they lived. * Oxford University Press Journals *Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1. Time and Geography2. Introduction to MammalsPart I. Early South American Phase and the Trans-Atlantic Dispersal Interval (TADI)3. Tiupampa, Bolivia 3.1 Pucadelphys andinus 3.2 Mayulestes ferox 3.3 Molinodus suarezi 3.4 Alcidedorbignya inopinata4. Itaboraí, Brazil 4.1 Epidolops ameghinoi 4.2 Colbertia magellanica 4.3 Protolipterna ellipsodontoides 4.4 Carodnia vieirai5. Gran Barranca, Argentina 5.1 Sebecus icaeorhinus 5.2 Niolamia argentina and Caroloameghinia mater 5.3 Utaetus buccatus 5.4 Thomashuxleya rostrata 5.5 Notopithecus adapinus6. La Gran Hondonada, Argentina 6.1 Otronia muhlbergi 6.2 Pseudhyrax eutrachytheroides 6.3 Puelia plicata 6.4 Trigonostylops wortmaniPart II. Late South American Phase7. Tinguiririca, Chile 7.1 Klohnia charrieri 7.2 Pseudoglyptodon chilensis 7.3 Andemys termasi 7.4 Santiagorothia chiliensis8. Salla, Bolivia 8.1 Paraborhyaena boliviana 8.2 Branisella boliviana 8.3 Anayatherium fortis 8.4 Trachytherus alloxus 8.5 Pyrotherium romeroi9. Chucal, Chile 9.1 Parapropalaehoplophorus septentrionalis 9.2 Peltephilus ferox 9.3 Theosodon lallemanti 9.4 Nesodon imbricatus 9.5 Altitypotherium chucalensis10. Santa Cruz, Argentina 10.1 Necrolestes patagonensis 10.2 Borhyaena tuberata 10.3 Hapalops indifferens 10.4 Steiromys duplicatus 10.5 Thoatherium minusculum 10.6 Interatherium robustum11. La Venta, Colombia 11.1 Neotamandua borealis 11.2 Cebupithecia sarmientoi 11.3 Megadolodus molariformis and Purussaurus neivensis 11.4 Miocochilius anamopodus 11.5 Granastrapotherium snorki12. Quebrada Honda, Bolivia 12.1 Acyon myctoderos 12.2 Hondalagus altiplanensis 12.3 Guiomys unica 12.4 Hemihegetotherium trilobus13. Arroyo Chasicó, Argentina 13.1 Protomegalonyx chasicoensis 13.2 Prolagostomus and Lycopsis viverensis 13.3 Neobrachytherium ullumense 13.4 Chasicotherium rothi 13.5 Typotheriopsis chasicoensisPart III. The Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI) and the Interamerican Phase14. Acre, Brazil 14.1 Neoglyptatelus originalis 14.2 Thalassocnus natans 14.3 Phoberomys burmeisteri 14.4 Trigodon15. Catamarca, Argentina 15.1 Andalgalornis steulleti 15.2 Thylacosmilus atrox 15.3 Vassallia maxima and Argentavis magnificens 15.4 Pronothrotherium typicum 15.5 Cyonasua brevirostris16. Chapadmalal, Argentina 16.1 Sparassocynus derivatus 16.2 Macroeuphractus outesi 16.3 Scelidotherium parodii 16.4 Platygonus marplatensis 16.5 Paedotherium typicum17. Tarija, Bolivia 17.1 Cuvieronius hyodon 17.2 Glyptodon reticulatus 17.3 Doedicurus clavicaudatus 17.4 Megatherium americanum 17.5 Protocyon tarijensis and Glossotherium tarijense 17.6 Smilodon populator 17.7 Onohippidium devillei 17.8 Macrauchenia patachonica 17.9 Toxodon platensisFurther ReadingAppendix 1. Alphabetical List of SpeciesAppendix 2. List of Families and Higher Taxonomic GroupsAppendix 3. Mammals of Tiupampa, Bolivia Appendix 4. Mammals of Itaboraí, BrazilAppendix 5. Middle Eocene ("Barrancan") Mammals of Gran Barranca, Argentina Appendix 6. Mammals of La Gran Hondonada, ArgentinaAppendix 7. Mammals of Tinguiririca, ChileAppendix 8. Mammals of Salla, BoliviaAppendix 9. Mammals of Chucal, ChileAppendix 10. Mammals of Costal Santa Cruz, Argentina Appendix 11. Mammals of La Venta, ColombiaAppendix 12. Mammals of Quebrada Honda, BoliviaAppendix 13. Mammals of Arroyo Chasicó, ArgentinaAppendix 14. Mammals of Acre (Brazil and Peru)Appendix 15. Mammals of Catamarca, ArgentinaAppendix 16. Mammals of Chapadmalal, ArgentinaAppendix 17. Mammals of Tarija, BoliviaGlossaryIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year""Every page-turn reveals beautiful photos and informative figures, making easy reading of diverse and fascinating material."---J. Burger, Choice"A good and well researched book that can bring us all new understanding to the importance of the role of predators in bringing a healthy ecosystem."---Steven Rutherford, British Naturalists Association

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Book SynopsisMammalogists, paleontologists, and marine scientists will find Berta's insights absorbing, while developmental and molecular biologists, geneticists, and ecologists exploring integrative research approaches will benefit from her fresh perspective.Trade ReviewMammalogists, paleontologists, and marine scientists will find Berta’s insights absorbing, while developmental and molecular biologists, geneticists, and ecologists exploring integrative research approaches will benefit from her fresh perspective.—Birdbooker ReportThe Rise of Marine Mammals is an impressive introduction to its subject and an important contribution to zoological literature.—TLSOverall, this is a thorough review of the evolution of marine mammals, ideal for students of vertebrate paleontology who wish to study the taxonomy of these groups and for professionals who may use it as an up-to-date reference work. The volume is an excellent addition to paleontology collections.—ChoiceThis is a beautifully illustrated, comprehensive introduction to the fossil record of some of the most interesting evolutionary transformations within mammals . . . The Rise of Marine Mammals is a fact-filled, well-illustrated volume that will be much appreciated by anyone who is looking to learn about where, when, and how these fascinating animals arose.—Mark D. Uhen, George Mason University, Quarterly Review of BiologyThe Rise of Marine Mammals covers the breadth of marine mammal evolution while highlighting the key details. It discusses what we can learn from the fossils within a context that makes the reader feel as if he or she is part of making these discoveries . . . This visually stunning, yet informative, book should serve to inspire its readers—not only to give them a sense of awe and wonder at the marvelous diversity of marine mammals in eons gone by, but also to push them to preserve and steward the remarkable creatures that live in our seas today.—Ryan M. Bebej, Calvin College, Perspectives on Science and Christian FaithTable of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1. Setting the Stage2. The Oldest Marine Mammals3. Later- Diverging Whales4. Aquatic Carnivorans5. Crown Sirenians and Their Desmostylian Relatives6. Aquatic Sloths and Recent Occupants of the Sea, Sea Otters and Polar Bears7. Diversity Changes through TimeClassification of Fossil Marine MammalsGlossaryReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisEste checklist ilustrado cubre Madagascar, uno de los principales hotspots de biodiversidad del mundo, famoso por su asombrosa fauna y flora y especialmente por la gran cantidad de extraordinarias especies endémicas. Madagascar se encuentra también entre las cuatro regiones principales del mundo de primates, ya que cuenta con 112 especies y subespecies endémicas de lémures. Este libro está destinado a facilitar el ecoturismo de Madagascar, un país de biodiversidad única que puede ser observada y disfrutada con relativa facilidad, Es una herramienta fácil de usar, tanto residentes como visitantes de la región, que permite conocer rápidamente los 253 mamíferos terrestres y marinos que pueden encontrar. Cuenta con la información más actualizada de los mamíferos de la zona a la que le acompaña una ilustración de todas las especies y subespecies de Madagascar y de las islas cercanas del Océano Índico: las Comoras, las Seychelles, la Reunión y Mauricio. Este libro forma parte de la colección Lynx Illustrated Checklists, creada a partir del ingente material recopilado para la serie del Handbook of the Mammals of the Word y que se ha sintetizado en prácticos libros para la visita a un destino específico. La geografía colombiana es extremadamente diversa: de este a oeste se extiende desde el río Orinoco hasta el Océano Pacífico y de norte a sur desde el Caribe hasta las cabeceras de la cuenca amazónica. Los Andes están conformados por tres cadenas montañosas principales separadas por los valles del Cauca y del Magdalena. En el norte se encuentran dos grandes sierras, la de Santa Marta y la del Perijá, siendo la primera uno de los principales puntos calientes (hotsposts) del mundo para la observación de aves endémicas. En los últimos años, las rutas habituales para la observación de aves del país han ido evolucionando, focalizándose en las zonas protegidas tanto de propiedad privada como pública, permitiendo así la observación de casi todas las aves endémicas de Colombia, desde loros y colibríes con extravagantes plumajes hasta los furtivos gralláridos. En Sudamérica, no hay mejor lugar que Colombia para escapar de los caminos trillados y descubrir cosas nuevas, como lo demuestra el reciente hallazgo de un grallárido aparentemente nuevo cerca de la ciudad de Cali. 1965 especies; 94 endémicas, 101 casi endémicas, 4 introducidas, 42 accidentales. Más de 3600 ilustraciones y más de 2000 mapas de distribución.

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive and richly illustrated field guide to the mammals of the Western Palearctic.Fully revised and updated, this major work presents all species that occur in the Western Palearctic, serving as the perfect field guide to the great diversity of mammals in the region. This new edition presents 86 new species, including 40 cetaceans, and reports on the latest scientific advances and taxonomic changes.Species accounts are concise and authoritative, giving information on size, distribution, habitat, behaviour, reproduction and feeding. Each account is supported by distribution maps and superb colour illustrations. The book features over 125 plates, comprising more than 650 colour species artworks. Variation between the sexes is illustrated, and anatomical diagrams including tooth arrays are provided to assist identification.Field Guide to Mammals of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East is the only guide you'll need to identify any mammal across the Western Palearctic.

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive volume covers all mammals that occur naturally on the African mainland south of the Cunene and Zambezi rivers, and also in the subregion's coastal waters. Extensively revised and updated for the new edition, it now includes the latest data from from mammal research in southern Africa along with the radical taxonomic changes across all levels of mammalian classification. Containing contributions from specialists on each mammalian order, each species description has been reviewed by a range of independent and internationally recognised authorities. Along with the latest taxonomic information, the distribution maps and illustrations have been updated and redrawn, several new colour plates have been added, and the whole design has been enhanced to aid access to key information. This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date survey of southern-African mammals and forms an essential reference for zoologists, evolutionary biologists and anyone wanting an overview of the regiTrade Review“Easily accessible to professional and general readers alike, this monumental work is absolutely indispensable for anyone interested in or working with Southern African mammals. Without it, no mammalian library is complete. Essential.” --ChoiceTable of ContentsSUPERCOHORT AFROTHERIA; Order AFROSORICIDA; Suborder CHRYSOCHLORIDEA; I. Family CHRYSOCHLORIDAE / Golden moles; Subfamily Chrysochlorinae; Subfamily Amblysominae; Order MACROSCELIDEA; II. Family MACROSCELIDIDAE / Elephant-shrews; Order TUBULIDENTATA; III. Family ORYCTEROPODIDAE / Aardvark; COHORT PAENUNGULATA; Order HYRACOIDEA; IV. Family PROCAVIIDAE / Hyraxes; Superorder TETHYTHERIA; Order PROBOSCIDEA; V. Family ELEPHANTIDAE / Elephants; Order SIRENIA; VI. Family DUGONGIDAE / Dugong; SUPERCOHORT EUARCHONTAGLIRES; COHORT GLIRES; Order LAGOMORPHA; VII. Family LEPORIDAE / Hares, rock rabbits and rabbits; Order RODENTIA; Suborder HYSTRICOGNATHI; VIII. Family BATHYERGIDAE / Mole-rats; IX. Family HYSTRICIDAE / Porcupines; X. Family THRYONOMYIDAE / Canerats; XI. Family PETROMURIDAE / Dassie rat; Suborder SCIUROGNATHI; XII. Family PEDETIDAE / Springhare; XIII. Family SCIURIDAE / Squirrels; XIV. Family MYOXIDAE / Dormice; Subfamily Graphiurinae; XV. Family MURIDAE / Rats and mice; Subfamily Deomyinae; Subfamily Murinae; Tribe Otomyini; Subfamily Gerbillinae; Subfamily Mystromyinae; Subfamily Cricetomyinae; Subfamily Dendromurinae; Subfamily Petromyscinae; COHORT EUARCHONTA; Superorder PRIMATOMORPHA; Order PRIMATES; Suborder STREPSIRHINI; Infraorder LORIFORMES; XVI. Family GALAGIDAE / Galagos; Suborder HAPLORHINI; Infraorder SIMIIFORMES; Superfamily CERCOPITHECOIDEA; XVII. Family CERCOPITHECIDAE / Baboons and monkeys; Subfamily Cercopithecinae; SUPERCOHORT LAURASIATHERIA; Order EULIPOTYPHLA; Suborder SORICOMORPHA; XVIII. Family SORICIDAE / Shrews; Subfamily Myosoricinae; Subfamily Crocidurinae; Suborder ERINACEOMORPHA; XIX. Family ERINACEIDAE / Hedgehogs; Subfamily Erinaceinae; Order CHIROPTERA Bats; Suborder MEGACHIROPTERA / Fruit-eating bats; XX. Family PTEROPODIDAE; Suborder MICROCHIROPTERA / Insect-eating bats; XXI. Family EMBALLONURIDAE / Sheath-tailed bats; XXII. Family MOLOSSIDAE / Free-tailed bats; XXIII. Family VESPERTILIONIDAE / Vesper bats; Subfamily Miniopterinae; Subfamily Vespertilioninae; Subfamily Kerivoulinae; XXIV. Family NYCTERIDAE / Slit-faced bats; XXV. Family RHINOLOPHIDAE / Horseshoe bats; XXVI. Family HIPPOSIDERIDAE / Trident and leaf-nosed bats; COHORT FERUNGULATA; Superorder FERAE; Order PHOLIDOTA / Pangolins; XXVII. Family MANIDAE; Order CARNIVORA; Suborder FELIFORMIA; XVIII. Family HYAENIDAE / Hyaenas; Subfamily Protelinae; Subfamily Hyaeninae; XXIX. Family FELIDAE / Cats; Subfamily Acinonychinae; Subfamily Pantherinae; Subfamily Felinae; XXX. Family VIVERRIDAE / Civets and genets; Subfamily Viverrinae; XXXI. Family NANDINIIDAE / Palm civet; XXXII. Family HERPESTIDAE / Suricates and mongooses; Subfamily Herpestinae; Suborder CANIFORMIA; XXXIII. Family CANIDAE / Foxes, wild dogs and jackals; XXXIV. Family MUSTELIDAE / Otters, honey badger, weasel and polecat; Subfamily Lutrinae; Subfamily Mellivorinae; Subfamily Mustelinae; XXXV. Family OTARIIDAE / Fur seals; XXXVI. Family PHOCIDAE / True seals; Superorder PARAXONIA; Order PERISSODACTYLA; XXXVII. Family RHINOCEROTIDAE / Rhinoceroses; XXXVIII. Family EQUIDAE / Zebras; Superorder CETARTIODACTYLA; Order SUIFORMES; Suborder SUINA; Superfamily SUIODEA; XXXIX. Family SUIDAE / Pigs; Subfamily Suinae; Subfamily Phacochoerinae; Order WHIPPOMORPHA; Suborder ANCODONTA; Superfamily ANTHRACOTHEROIDEA; XL. Family HIPPOPOTAMIDAE / Hippopotamuses; Suborder CETACEA / Whales and dolphins; Infraorder ODONTOCETI; XLI. Family PHYSETERIDAE / Sperm whale; XLII. Family KOGIIDAE; XLIII. Family ZIPHIIDAE / Beaked whales; Subfamily Ziphiinae; Subfamily Hyperoodontinae; XLIV. Family DELPHINIDAE / Dolphins, pilot whales, killer and false killer whales; Infraorder MYSTICETI; XLV. Family BALAENIDAE / Right whales; XLVI. Family NEOBALAENIDAE / Pygmy right whales; XLVII. Family BALAENOPTERIDAE / Rorquals; Order RUMINANTIA; Suborder PECORA; Superfamily GIRAFFOIDEA; XLVIII. Family GI

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Book SynopsisBears have fascinated people since ancient times. The relationship between bears and humans dates back thousands of years, during which time we have also competed with bears for shelter and food. In modern times, bears have come under pressure through encroachment on their habitats, climate change, and illegal trade in their body parts, including the Asian bear bile market. The IUCN lists six bears as vulnerable or endangered, and even the least concern species, such as the brown bear, are at risk of extirpation in certain countries. The poaching and international trade of these most threatened populations are prohibited, but still ongoing. Covering all bears species worldwide, this beautifully illustrated volume brings together the contributions of 200 international bear experts on the ecology, conservation status, and management of the Ursidae family. It reveals the fascinating long history of interactions between humans and bears and the threats affecting these charismatic species.Trade Review'The quality of the information and the general conciseness of the text make this long overdue book a thoroughly enjoyable read … Bears of the World fills a much needed niche in providing an expert overview of accurate, relevant, up‐to‐date, and highly readable information. As the only complete reference work on this subject, its value is immense for professionals in the field of bear ecology and management, and for interested naturalists and conservationists.' Jean‐Pierre d'Huart, The Journal of Wildlife Management'This is a professional job throughout, including excellent photos, maps, and other illustrations … Highly recommended.' D. A. Lovejoy, CHOICETable of ContentsPart I. Systematic, Ecology and Behaviour: 1. Systematic, evolution and genetic of bears; 2. Mating strategies; 3. Interspecific interactions between brown bears, ungulates and other large carnivores; 4. Adaptations and Competitive Interactions of Tropical Asian Bear Species Define Their Biogeography: Past, Present, and Future; 5. Remarkable adaptations of the American black bear help explain why it is the most common bear: a long-term study from the centre of its range; Part II. Species Accounts: 6. Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca); 7. Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus); 8. Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus); 9. Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus); 10. Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus); 11. American Black Bear (Ursus americanus); 12. Brown Bear (Ursus arctos; Eurasia); 13. Brown Bear (Ursus arctos; North America); 14. Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus); Part III. Human – Bear Coexistence: 15. Human–Bear Conflicts at the Beginning of the Twenty-First Century: Patterns, Determinants, and Mitigation Measures; 16. Principles of Human–Bear Conflict Management in Challenging Environments; 17. Patterns of bear attacks on humans, factors triggering risky scenarios and how to reduce them; 18. Effects of human disturbance on brown bear behavior; 19. Bears in human-dominated landscapes: The case studies of the Cantabrian, Apennine and Pindos Mountains; Part IV. Conservation and Management: 20. Conservation and management of bears; 21. How is climate change affecting polar bears and giant pandas?; 22. Managing for inter-population connectivity of the world's bear species; 23. Ex-situ conservation of bears: Roles, status and management; 24. The Challenge of Brown Bear Management in Hokkaido, Japan; 25. Potential ecological corridors for remnant Asiatic black bear populations and its subpopulations linked to management units in Japan; 26. Captive bears in Asia: Implications for animal welfare and conservation; 27. Human Dimensions of Asiatic Black Bear Conflicts and Management in Japan; 28. Ecological and social dimensions of sloth bear conservation in Sri Lanka.

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Book SynopsisThis is a definitive book on the dog family, dealing with many aspects of the biology and conservation of wolves, dogs, jackals and foxes. It covers many topics relevant to modern conservation science, and features detailed case studies of many canid species across the globe. A must-have book for all scientists studying carnivores, predators, cooperative breeding, and social systems. A useful text for both undergraduate and graduate courses in behavioural ecology and conservation biology. Wild canids are the ancestors of the domestic dog and there are a large number of wolf and domestic dog enthusiasts who will be engaged by the contents of this book.Table of ContentsPART I REVIEWS: ; 1. Dramatis personae ; 2. Ancestry ; 3. Population genetics ; 4. Society ; 5. Management ; 6. Infectious disease ; 7. Tools ; PART II CASE STUDIES ; 8. Arctic foxes ; 9. Island foxes ; 10. Swift foxes ; 11. Blanford's foxes ; 12. Red foxes ; 13. Raccoon dogs ; 14. Bat-eared foxes ; 15. Patagonian foxes ; 16. Jackals ; 17. Coyotes ; 18. Grey wolves - Isle Royale ; 19. Grey wolves - Yellowstone ; 20. Ethiopian wolves ; 21. Dholes ; 22. African wild dogs ; CONCLUSIONS ; 23. Conservation ; REFERENCES

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Book SynopsisWritten primarily for mid-to-upper level undergraduates, this primer will introduce students to topics at the forefront of the subject that are being applied to probe biological problems, or to address the most pressing issues facing society. This primer provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities of applying synthetic biological techniques to mammalian cells, tissues, and organisms.Table of Contents1: Jamie A. Davies: An introduction to mammalian synthetic biology 2: Jamie A. Davies: Special features of mammalian systems 3: Lenny Nelson and Alistair Elfick: Technologies for mammalian synthetic biology 4: Jamie A. Davies: Mammalian synthetic biology as a research tool 5: Jamie Billington, Anna Mastela, and Susan J Rosser.: Teaching mammalian cells to make new, useful things 6: Steven M. Pollard: Synthetic biology, stem cells and regenerative medicine 7: David Obree: The ethics of synthetic biology

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Book SynopsisZoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks are vital centers of animal conservation and management. This book presents the thinking and practice in the care and management of wild mammals in zoos and other institutions. It offers information from studies of animal behavior; advances in captive breeding; and new thinking in animal management and welfare.Trade Review"Zoos should be staffed with those who have made Wild Mammals in Captivity their essential textbook." (Times Higher Education, on the first edition)"

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Book SynopsisProvides a comprehensive account of the energetics of birds and mammals. This title also provides an overview of thermal rates and explains how the basal rate of metabolism drives energy use, especially in extreme environments.Trade Review"This is a fascinating book and one that obviously represents a grand synthesis of a lifetime of data collection by the author. More than ever this type of synthesis is needed if conservation efforts are to move forward." (Terrie M. Williams, University of California, Santa Cruz)"

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Book SynopsisDependent on a shrinking supply of bamboo, hunted mercilessly for its pelt, and hostage to profiteering schemes once in captivity, the panda is on the brink of extinction. Here, acclaimed naturalist George Schaller uses his great evocative powers, and the insight gained by four and a half years in the forests of the Wolong and Tangjiahe panda reserves, to document the plight of these mysterious creatures and to awaken the human compassion urgently needed to save them. No scientist is better at letting the rest of us in on just how the natural world works; no poet sees the world with greater clarity or writes about it with more grace. . . . Anyone who genuinely cares for wildlife cannot help being grateful to Schallerboth for his efforts to understand the panda and for the candor with which he reports what has gone so badly wrong in the struggle to save it from extinction.Geoffrey C. Ward, New York Times Book ReviewSchaller's book is a unique mix of natural history and the politics of conservation, and it makes for compelling reading. . . . Having been in giant panda country myself, I found some of the descriptions of the animals and habitats breathtaking. Schaller describes the daily routines and personalities of the giant pandas he studied (as well as their fates thereafter) as though they were his blood relatives. . . . Schaller's brilliant presentation of the complexities of conservation makes his book a milestone for the conservation movement.Devra G. Kleiman, Washington Post Book WorldGeorge Schaller's most soulful work, written in journal style with many asides about a creature who evolved only two to three million years ago (about the same time as humans). . . . Here, conservation biology confronts an evil that grinds against hope and shatters the planet's diversity. Written with hope.Whole Earth CatalogA nicely crafted blend of wildlife observation and political-cultural analysis. . . . The Last Panda is a sad chronicle of our failure, so far, to stem the decline of the animal that may be the most beloved on the planet.Donald Dale Jackson, Smithsonian

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Book SynopsisA general introduction to the biology of marine mammals, and an overview of the adaptations that have permitted mammals to succeed in the marine environment. Each chapter offers a review and presents the major discoveries and innovations in the field.Trade Review"This book represents an authoritative and up to date account of our understanding of the biology of marine mammals. Although it does include quite a bit of technical detail, the inclusion of simple chapter summaries and numerous explanatory boxes, ensure that it will be accessible to a range of readers from undergraduate biology students to professional marine mammal biologists. If I taught an undergraduate course in marine mammal biology, I would make it my recommended text. As a marine mammal biologist, I know that I will be reaching for it often over the next few years." Marine Mammal Science "This is a very well illustrated text dealing with a fascinating groups of animals. Although it is an advanced text (the 'introductory' nature alluded to being best for those with some biological training) there is much to gained for the beginner. There is a wealth of detail which could be used in many educational contexts making this book more of a reference aid than straight textbook. It provides information on mammal biology helpful in discussions about broader ecological aspects which cannot easily be found elsewhere." TEGNews "In 14 chapters, some 27 specialists have captured the essence of all asepcts of life forms - behavioural characteristics, ecology and conservation needs - of 121 species of marine mammals occupying three taxonomic orders... A must for college and universities that have storng biology, ecology, or marine biology programs, as well as for larger public libraries." CHOICE "This book, intended for students of marine biology, ecology, or evolution, presents a broad spectrum of topics in remarkable detail." Northeastern Naturalist "This book successfully surveys the whole of marine mammal biology. Previous attempts are dated or less sweeping and so I recommend that all marine mammalogists own or at least have access to this book." Trends in Ecology and Evolution "I think Hoelzel has timed this quite nicely as there is definitely a demand for such a book, and there have been a number of scientific breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years that have revolutionised our understanding of this subject." Dr Rob Harcourt, Macquarie University, Australia "This is an exciting proposal, describing a book that is long overdue. Hoelzel is an innovative and productive scientist with a flare for writing, and he is as well placed as any to steer a volume of this scope and complexity to a successful conclusion." Dr Tony Martin, British Antarctic Survey, CambridgeTable of ContentsContributors. Preface. 1. Diversity and Zoogeography. A R Martin (British Antarctic Survey) and R R Reeves (ICUN/SSC CETACEAN - Quebec). . 2. The Evolution of Marine Mammals. J. Heyning (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles) and G M Lento (Auckland University). . 3. Anatomy and Physiology: the Challenge of Aquatic Living. T. M Williams (University of California, Santa Cruz) and G A J Worthy (Texas A&M University). . 4. Neural Morphology. I Glezer (City University of New York). . 5. Sensory Systems. G Dehnhardt (Universitat Bonn). . 6. Vocal Anatomy, Acoustic Communication and Echolocation. P L Tyack (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute) and E H Miller (Memorial University of Newfoundland). . 7. Patterns of Movement. P Stevick (University of St Andrews), B J McConnell (University of St Andrews) and P Hammond (University of St Andrews). . 8. Feeding Ecology. W D Bowen (Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth), A J Read (Duke University) and J A Estes (University of California, Santa Cruz). . 9. Energetics: Consequences for Fitness. I L Boyd (British Antarctic Survey). . 10. Life History and Reproductive Strategies. D J Boness (Smithsonian Institution), P J Clapham (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) and S L Mesnick. . 11. Population Genetic Structure. A R Hoelzel (University of Durham), S D Goldsworthy and R C Fleischer. . 12. Ecology of Group Living and Social Behaviour. R C Connor (University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth). . 13. Problem Solving and Memory. R J Schusterman and D Kastak. . 14. Conservation and Management. R R Reeves (ICUN/SSC CETACEAN - Quebec) and P Reijnders (Institute for Forestry and Nature Research, Wageningen). Index

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Book SynopsisIdentify Florida mammals with this easy-to-use field guide, organized by family and featuring full-color photographs and helpful information. Whether you happen upon an animal track or actually see wildlife in nature, interacting with mammals is a thrill. Learn to identify mammals in Florida. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, mammal identification is simple and informative. The Mammals of Florida Field Guide features all 77 species found in the state, organized by family and then by size. When you see a mammal, you can determine its family by common visual characteristics and then turn to the corresponding section to find out what it is! Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-color photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. This second edition includes updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab the Mammals of Florida Field Guide for your next outing to help ensure that you positively identify the wildlife you see. Inside you’ll find: All 77 of Florida’s mammals, from mice to manatees Facts about size, habitat, range, young, and more Times each animal is most likely to be active and signs it might leave behind Professional photos, range maps, and track patterns Stan’s naturalist notes and fascinating facts

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Book SynopsisThis ground-breaking volume covers 42 species of terrestrial mammal – from the red deer to the pygmy shrew, from the pine marten to the hedgehog. The subject is introduced for the first time as a single overarching field of study, including guidance on survey methods, analysis of sound recordings and appropriate software. The book covers species in Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Containing over 300 figures in total, each species is considered in detail, with specific spectrogram examples. Furthermore, the book allows the reader access to a downloadable sound library containing more than 250 recordings. The authors have extensive experience and expertise in bioacoustics, including in the sound identification of mammals. They are also heavily involved in creating tools that use machine-learning algorithms to recognise mammal species from their calls. A real ear-opener, this will be the essential handbook for many years to come, serving ecological consultants, academics, conservationists, hobbyists and serious mammal recorders alike.Table of ContentsForeword Preface Acknowledgements About the Authors Preamble About the Sound Library 1. Introduction & Context 2. Survey Equipment & Field Techniques 3. Analysis of Acoustic Recordings 4. Overview of the Species Group-specific Chapters 5. Even-toed Ungulates – Deer & Wild Boar 6. Carnivores (Including Mustelids) 7. Lagomorphs – Hares & Rabbits 8. Rodents – Squirrels & Beavers 9. Rodents – Rats, Mice, Voles & Dormice 10. Insectivores – Hedgehogs, Moles & Shrews Appendix I – Glossary Appendix II – Case Studies References Index

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Book SynopsisWolves on a wilderness island illuminate lessons on the environment, extinction, and life. For more than a quarter century, celebrated biologist John Vucetich has studied the wolves, and the moose that sustain them, of the boreal forest of Isle Royale National Park, an island in the northwest corner of Lake Superior. During this time, he has witnessed both the near extinction of the local wolf population, driven largely by climate change, and the intensely debated relocation of other wolves to the island in an effort to stabilize and maintain Isle Royale's ecosystem health. In Restoring the Balance, Vucetich combines environmental philosophy with field notes chronicling his day-to-day experience as a scientist. Examining the fate of wolves in the wild, he shares lessons from these wolves and explains their impact on humanity's fundamental responsibilities to the natural world. Vucetich's engaging narrative and unique, clear-eyed perspective provide an accessible course in wolf biologTrade ReviewThis book is juicy with field notes—the stories of charismatic individual wolves like the Old Gray Guy, and complex science made understandable and seductively enticing to the reader with even the tiniest interest in wolf survival and natural history.—Nancy Jo Tubbs, International WolfThe book is many things in one: a fascinating memoir, a collection of field notes, a chronology of the 63-year study of the wolves and moose of Isle Royale.... It can even be used as a textbook on environmental history and biology and ecology of wolves and moose.—Community EcologyTable of ContentsForward PrefaceAcknowledgements1. Why Wolves?2. Thoughts of a Moose3. Beginnings4. Balance of Nature5. Exogenous Forces6. The Old Gray Guy7. The Unraveling8. Sense of Place9. All Natural10. Restoring the BalanceCoda

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Book SynopsisHighlighting startling discoveries made over the last ten years, this new edition provides authoritative accounts of the behaviour of domestic cats and their interactions with humans. It is a definitive resource for veterinarians, breeders of cats and students of behavioural biology and psychology, as well as the non-specialist general reader.Trade Review'The long-awaited third edition of this authoritative book on cat behaviour provides the reader with an up-to-date scientific knowledge on behaviour and welfare of domestic cats. The coverage is considerably broader than in previous editions, including more chapters relevant to cat welfare, cat breeding, behavioural problems, and how to handle overpopulation of stray cats. Some intriguing new research results, [such as] on human and cat personalities, are presented in detail; part of this is previously unpublished. The editors have successfully [cast] an impressive list of experts on the various topics. This book is very valuable and highly recommended to students and professionals of ethology, veterinary medicine, biology and others interested in this exciting animal species, which is now the most widely kept companion animal in most countries.' Bjarne O. Braastad, Norwegian University of Life Sciences'In The Domestic Cat, Turner and Bateson provide the ultimate compendium of all things cat. This book will be of benefit to scientists, practitioners, and perhaps most importantly to cat owners by unraveling the enigma that is the cat, dispelling myths, and answering questions which may be vital to optimizing cats' and their humans' lives together.' Rebecca A. Johnson, International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO)'This updated and expanded new edition of The Domestic Cat edited by Dennis Turner and Pat Bateson gives a comprehensive and authoritative account of the behaviour of one of our most popular companion animals. It makes fascinating reading both for the behavioural biologist and for the cat lover.' Felicity A. Huntingford, University of Glasgow'… meticulously researched, thorough and well-written.' GrrlScientist, The GuardianTable of ContentsList of contributors; Part I. Introduction: 1. Why the cat? Dennis C. Turner and Patrick Bateson; Part II. From Kitten to Adulthood: 2. Behavioural development in the cat Patrick Bateson; 3. Normal and problematic reproductive behaviour in the domestic cat Benjamin L. Hart and Lynette A. Hart; 4. Communication in the domestic cat: within and between species Sarah L. Brown and John W. S. Bradshaw; Part III. Social Life and Ecology: 5. Social organization and behavioural ecology of free-ranging domestic cats Dennis C. Turner; 6. Social behaviour of domestic cats in the human home Penny L. Bernstein and Erika Friedmann; Part IV. Cats and People: 7. Domestication and history of the cat James A. Serpell; 8. Cultural differences in human-cat relations Dennis C. Turner, Eva Waiblinger and Barbara Fehlbaum; 9. Human and cat personalities: building the bond from both sides Kurt Kotrschal, Jon Day, Sandra McCune and Manuela Wedl; Part V. Cat Breeding and Cat Welfare: 10. Feline welfare issues Irene Rochlitz; 11. Breed and gender behaviour differences: relation to the ancient history and origin of the domestic cat Benjamin L. Hart, Lynette A. Hart and Leslie A. Lyons; 12. Showing cats Anne Gregory, Steve Crow and Hilary Dean; 13. Individual and environmental effects on health and welfare J. L. Stella and C. A. T. Buffington; 14. Feline behavioural problems and solutions Benjamin L. Hart and Lynette A. Hart; Part VI. The Future: 15. Cat population management Elly Hiby, Harry Eckman and Ian MacFarlaine; 16. Postscript: questions and some answers Patrick Bateson and Dennis C. Turner; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisThe jaguar is one of the most mysterious and least-known big cats of the world. The largest cat in the Americas, it has survived an onslaught of environmental and human threats partly because of an evolutionary history unique among wild felines, but also because of a power and indomitable spirit so strong, the jaguar has shaped indigenous cultures and the beliefs of early civilizations on two continents. In An Indomitable Beast: The Remarkable Journey of the Jaguar, big-cat expert Alan Rabinowitz shares his own personal journey to conserve a species that, despite its past resilience, is now on a slide toward extinction if something is not done to preserve the pathways it prowls through an ever-changing, ever-shifting landscape dominated by humans. Rabinowitz reveals how he learned from newly available genetic data that the jaguar was a single species connected genetically throughout its entire range from Mexico to Argentina, making it unique among all other large carnivores in the world. In a mix of personal discovery and scientific inquiry, he sweeps his readers deep into the realm of the jaguar, offering fascinating accounts from the field. Enhanced with maps, tables, and colour plates, An Indomitable Beast brings important new research to life for scientists, anthropologists, and animal lovers alike. This book is not only about jaguars, but also about tenacity and survival. From the jaguar we can learn better strategies for saving other species and also how to save ourselves when faced with immediate and long-term catastrophic changes to our environment.

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Book SynopsisCynthia Moss has studied the elephants in Kenya's Amboseli National Park for over 27 years. Her research has revealed much of what we now know about these animals. Here she chronicles the lives of the members of the T families led by Matriarchs Teresia, Slit Ear, Torn Ear, Tania, and Tuskless.

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Book SynopsisA treasury of information and outstanding photographs brought together to reveal the fascinating life of the symbol of Arctic survival, the polar bear

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Book SynopsisIn a remote valley near the BC-Alaska border lives a remarkable group of grizzly bears who have never learned to fear humans. When logging threatened this valley, people from all over the world joined a battle to save the bears. In 1994, their efforts paid off with the establishment of the Khutzymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, one of the world''s most important protected wildlife areas. Dan Wakeman, a core member of the Save the Khutzymateen campaign, was one of only two guides licensed to take visitors into the heart of this ecological reserve. Photographer Wendy Shymanski, who worked with Dan for many years, amassed a folio of exquisite colour photographs of the bears in this special part of the world. In Fortress of the Grizzlies, these avid naturalists share what they have learned and seen during years of respectful interaction with this community of grizzlies.

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Book SynopsisInterested in the origins of the species? Consider the Platypus uses pets such as dogs and cats as well as animal outliers like the axolotl and naked mole rat to wittily tackle mind-bending concepts about how evolution, biology, and genetics work.

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Book SynopsisA lone wild wolf lives on a small group of uninhabited islands in British Columbias Salish Sea, surrounded by freighter, oil tanker and other boat traffic and in close proximity to a large urban area. His name is Takaya, which is the Coast Salish First Nations peoples word for wolf. Cheryl Alexander studied and documented this unique wolf for years, unravelling the many mysteries surrounding his life. Her documentation of Takayas journey, his life on the islands and the development of their deep connection is presented alongside a stunning collection of her photography. Through journal entries, interviews, and photographs, Takaya: Lone Wolf tells a story that is certain to inspire, enlighten, and touch the heart. It is the story of a wild animal, alone yet at peace.

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