The Mammals of the Southern African Sub-region


Book Description

"This third, extensively revised edition of The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion contains detailed descriptions of all mammals that occur naturally on the African mainland south of the Cunene and Zambezi rivers, together with all mammals indigenous to the subregion's coastal waters. The rapid accumulation of new information resulting from mammal research in southern Africa, together with radical taxonomic changes across all levels of mammalian classification, have necessitated this new edition, which presents the best and latest data accurately in one comprehensive volume for use not only by scientists but also by an increasingly wide audience of general readers with an interest in the natural history of southern Africa." "J. D. Skinner and C. T. Chimimba have revised, expanded and updated the text in a major project overseen by an editorial committee constituted by the Mammal Research Institute at the University of Pretoria. Specialists on each mammalian order have served as subeditors, and a range of independent and internationally recognised authorities have reviewed every species description." "In this edition all the distribution maps and many of the illustrations of mammal prints have been updated and redrawn, several new colour plates have been added, and the whole design of this definitive reference work has been enhanced to ensure easy access to information."--BOOK JACKET.




Life Traces of the Georgia Coast


Book Description

Have you ever wondered what left behind those prints and tracks on the seashore, or what made those marks or dug those holes in the dunes? Life Traces of the Georgia Coast is an up-close look at these traces of life and the animals and plants that made them. It tells about how the tracemakers lived and how they interacted with their environments. This is a book about ichnology (the study of such traces) and a wonderful way to learn about the behavior of organisms, living and long extinct. Life Traces presents an overview of the traces left by modern animals and plants in this biologically rich region; shows how life traces relate to the environments, natural history, and behaviors of their tracemakers; and applies that knowledge toward a better understanding of the fossilized traces that ancient life left in the geologic record. Augmented by illustrations of traces made by both ancient and modern organisms, the book shows how ancient trace fossils directly relate to modern traces and tracemakers, among them, insects, grasses, crabs, shorebirds, alligators, and sea turtles. The result is an aesthetically appealing and scientifically grounded book that will serve as source both for scientists and for anyone interested in the natural history of the Georgia coast.







Wildlife Research in Australia


Book Description

Wildlife Research in Australia: Practical and Applied Methods is a guide to conducting wildlife research in Australia. It provides advice on working through applications to animal ethics committees, presents general operating procedures for a range of wildlife research methods, and details animal welfare considerations for all Australian taxa. Compiled by over 200 researchers with extensive experience in field-based wildlife research, teaching and animal ethics administration, this comprehensive book supports best practice research methods and helps readers navigate the institutional animal care approval process. Wildlife Research in Australia will help foster a national approach to wildlife research methods, and is an invaluable tool for researchers, teachers, students, animal ethics committee members and organisations participating in wildlife research and other activities with wildlife.







Oceanography and Marine Biology


Book Description

Written by experts actively engaged in the field, . Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review explores the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of marine science. An essential reference for researchers and students in all fields of marine science, the text contains analyses on cold sleep sediments, unburnt coal in the marine environment, biofiltration and biofouling on artificial structures in Europe, ecology of rafting in marine ecosystems, effects of globalisation in marine environments, and much more. Its consistent presentation and timely topics make it a perennial favorite among researchers and students in all fields of marine science.




North American Tortoises


Book Description










Life Histories


Book Description

Crustaceans are increasingly being used as model organisms in all fields of biology, including neurobiology, developmental biology, animal physiology, evolutionary ecology, biogeography, and resource management. Crustaceans have a very wide range of phenotypes and inhabit a diverse array of environments, ranging from the deep sea to high mountain lakes and even deserts. The evolution of their life histories has permitted crustaceans to successfully colonize this variety of habitats. Few other taxa exhibit such a variety of life histories and behavior. A comprehensive overview of their life histories is essential to the understanding of many aspects of their success in marine and terrestrial environments. This volume provides a general overview of crustacean life histories. Crustaceans have particular life history adaptations that have permitted them to conquer all environments on earth. Crustacean life cycles have evolved to maximize fecundity, growth, and ageing, in a wide range of environmental conditions. Individual contributions contrast benefits and costs of different life histories including sexual versus asexual production, semelparity versus iteroparity, and planktonic larvae versus direct development. Important aspects of particular behaviors are presented (e.g. migrations, defense and territorial behaviors, anti-predator behavior, symbiosis).