The Biology of the Xenarthra


Book Description

The Xenarthra are an order of the mammals consisting of the armadillos, anteaters, and sloths. The Biology of the Xenarthra is the first authoratative study of the Xenarthra in a generation. The volume features an impressive group of international scholars who explore the current biology and ecological status of these mammals in each of the geographic regions they inhabit. Many of these populations reside in developing countries, and before now, information on these species has been scarce. Topics cover a wide array of issues including genetics, physiology, behavior, ecology, and conservation. Discussions range from paleontological perspectives on xenarthran evolution to both lab and field-based studies of living species. Contemporary research in areas such as genome sequencing and leprosy in armadillos is also included.




Early Miocene Paleobiology in Patagonia


Book Description

Coastal exposures of the Santa Cruz Formation in southern Patagonia have been a fertile ground for recovery of Early Miocene vertebrates for more than 100 years. This volume presents a comprehensive compilation of important mammalian groups which continue to thrive today. It includes the most recent fossil finds as well as important new interpretations based on ten years of fieldwork by the authors. A key focus is placed on the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment during the time of deposition in the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum (MMCO) between twenty and fifteen million years ago. The authors present the first reconstruction of what climatic conditions were like and present important new evidence of the geochronological age, habits and community structures of fossil bird and mammal species. Academic researchers and graduate students in paleontology, paleobiology, paleoecology, stratigraphy, climatology and geochronology will find this a valuable source of information about this fascinating geological formation.




The Nine-Banded Armadillo


Book Description

The word armadillo is Spanish for “little armored one.” This midsize mammal that looks like a walking tank is a source of fascination for many people but a mystery to almost all. Dating back at least eleven million years, the nocturnal, burrowing insectivore was for centuries mistaken for a cross between a hedgehog and a turtle, but it actually belongs to the mammalian superorder Xenarthra that includes sloths and anteaters. Biologists W. J. Loughry and Colleen M. McDonough have studied the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) for more than twenty years. Their richly illustrated book offers the first comprehensive review of everything scientists know about this unique animal. Engaging both scientists and a broader public, Loughry and McDonough describe the armadillo’s anatomy and physiology and all aspects of its ecology, behavior, and evolution. They also compare the nine-banded armadillo with twenty or so other, related species. The authors pay special attention to three key features of armadillo biology—reproduction, disease, and habitat expansion—and why they matter. Armadillos reproduce in a unique and puzzling manner: females always give birth to litters of genetically identical quadruplets, a strategy not found in any other vertebrates. Nine-banded armadillos are also the only vertebrates except for humans known to contract leprosy naturally. And what about habitat expansion? The authors suggest that the armadillo’s remarkable spread across the southeastern United States may be the consequence of its most notable feature: a tough, protective carapace. Biologists, evolutionists, students, and all those interested in this curious creature will find The Nine-Banded Armadillo rich in information and insight. This comprehensive analysis will stand as the definitive scientific reference for years to come and a source of pleasure for the general public.




Mammals of the Neotropics, Volume 3


Book Description

This volume provides a survey and synthesis of current knowledge of the more than 650 species of land and marine mammals found in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, as well as information on the mammalian fossil record, current biodiversity, and biogeography of this region. Chapters present up-to-date taxonomic information, ecological and behavioral characteristics, conservation status, and distribution maps for most species. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.




The Teeth of Mammalian Vertebrates


Book Description

"The Teeth of Mammalian Vertebrates is an important reference for researchers in dentistry, comparative morphology, anthropology, and vertebrate palaeontology, and those with an interest in exploring and understanding diversity. The book provides a comprehensive and informed analysis of mammalian dentitions and highlights the importance of teeth as drivers and mirrors of evolution and diversity." - Journal of Anatomy The Teeth of Mammalian Vertebrates presents a comprehensive survey of mammalian dentitions that is based on material gathered from museums and research workers from around the world. The teeth are major factors in the success of mammals, and knowledge of tooth form and function is essential in mammalian biology. Illustrated with high-quality color photographs of skulls and dentitions, together with X-rays, CT images and histology, this book reveals the tremendous variety of tooth form and structure in mammals. Written by two internationally-recognized experts in dental anatomy, the book provides an up-to-date account of how teeth are adapted to acquiring and processing food. With its companion volume, this book provides a complete survey of the teeth of vertebrates. It is the ideal resource for students and researchers in zoology, biology, anthropology, archaeology and dentistry. Provides a comprehensive account of mammalian dentitions, together with helpful reading lists Illustrated by 900 high-quality photographs, X-rays, CT scans and histological images from leading researchers and world class museum collection Depicts lateral and occlusal views of the skull and dentition, which conveys a much greater level of morphological detail than line drawings Contains clear-and-concise, up-to-date reviews of the structure and properties of dental tissues, especially the enamel and tooth support system, both of which play vital roles in the functioning of the mammalian dentition




Mammals of South America, Volume 2


Book Description

The vast terrain between Panama and Tierra del Fuego contains some of the worlds richest mammalian fauna, but until now it has lacked a comprehensive systematic reference to the identification, distribution, and taxonomy of its mammals. The first such book of its kind, Mammals of South America both summarizes existing information and encourages further research of the mammals indigenous to the region. It includes identification keys and brief descriptions of each order, family, and genus. Species accounts include taxonomic descriptions, synonymies, keys to identification, distributions with maps and a gazetteer of marginal localities, lists of recognized subspecies, brief summaries of natural history information, and discussions of issues related to taxonomic interpretations.




Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of South American Wild Animals


Book Description

Biology, Medicine and Surgery of South American Wild Animals examines the medicine and treatment of animals specific to South America. It discusses topics dealing with diseases and biology topics. In addition, the animals studied are broken down into family and genus, using both English and Spanish names. The book is liberally illustrated and contains references for further reading as well as the contributions of regional experts on the animals covered.




Atlas of Mammalian Chromosomes


Book Description

THE UPDATED NEW EDITION OF THE POPULAR COLLECTION OF HIGH-RESOLUTION CHROMOSOME PHOTOGRAPHS—FOR GENETICISTS, MAMMOLOGISTS, AND BIOLOGISTS INTERESTED IN COMPARATIVE GENOMICS, SYSTEMATICS, AND CHROMOSOME STRUCTURE Filled with a visually exquisite collection of the banded metaphase chromosome karyotypes from some 1,000 species of mammals, the Atlas of Mammalian Chromosomes offers an unabridged compendium of the state of this genomic art form. The Atlas??contains the best karyotype produced, the common and Latin name of the species, the published citation, and identifies the contributing authors. Nearly all karyotypes are G-banded, revealing the chromosomal bar codes of homologous segments among related species. The Atlas brings together information from a range of cytogenetic literature and features high-quality karyotype images for nearly every mammal studied to date. When the Atlas was first published, only three mammals were sequenced. Today, that number is over 300. Now in its second edition, this book contains extensive revisions and major additions such as new karyotypes that employ G- and C- banding to represent euchromatin and heterochromatin genome composition, new phylogenetic trees for each order, homology segment chromosome information on published aligned chromosome painting. Summaries of the painting data for some species indicate conserved homology segments among compared species. An invaluable resource for today's comparative genomics era, this comprehensive collection of high-resolution chromosome photographs: Assembles information previously scattered throughout the cytogenetics literature in one comprehensive volume Provides chromosome information and illustrations for the karyotypes of 300 new species Addresses the mandate of the Human Genome Project to annotate the genomes of other organisms Serves as a basis for chromosome-level genome assemblies Offers a detailed summation of three decades of ZooFish (chromosome painting) Presents high-resolution photos of karyotypes that represent more than 1,000 mammal species Written for geneticists, mammalogists, and biologists, the Atlas of Mammalian Chromosomes offers a step forward for an understanding of species formation, of genome organization, and of DNA script for natural selection.




American Trypanosomiasis


Book Description

Chagas disease causes severe socioeconomic impact and a high medical cost in Latin America. WHO and the World Bank consider Chagas disease as the fourth most transmittable disease to have a major impact on public health in Latin America: 120 million persons are potentially exposed, 16 to 18 million of whom are presently infected, causing 45,000 to 50,000 deaths per year. It has been calculated that approximately 2.4 million potential working years are lost because of incapacity and mortality due to the disease, for an annual cost estimated at 20 billion Euros. American Trypanosomiasis provides a comprehensive overview of Chagas disease and discusses the latest discoveries concerning the three elements that compose the transmission chain of the disease: The host: human and mammalian reservoirs The insect vectors: domestic and sylvatic vectors The causative parasite: Trypanosoma cruzi Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field Contributions from leading authorities and industry experts




Mammals of the Eastern United States


Book Description

"The authors have done a superb job of distilling a vast amount of information on the biology of the terrestrial mammals of the eastern United States in a style that will not only satisfy the expert's need for accurate data but will also appeal to students and others interested in natural history." —James N. Layne, Archbold Biological Station In their definitive work on eastern mammals, John O. Whitaker, Jr., and W. J. Hamilton, Jr., vividly convey their sheer delight at the variety and abundance of mammalian life. They have brought together a wealth of biological information and applied a biological subspecies concept to the mammals of the eastern United States. Their research extends "from the high reaches of Mount Katahdin in northern Maine, where water shrews and moose hold company," to the unglaciated hills of southern Indiana, where pygmy shrews (each weighing less than a dime) lived undetected until 1981. From there, they reach to "the cypress swamps of lower Florida, where the spoor of the mountain lion may be seen."*Describes the animals, their behavior, and dispersion in all 27 states east of the Mississippi River.*Almost entirely rewritten, this edition provides an abundance of scientific information in combination with anecdotes, field notes, and an underlying reverence for the fragile diversity of animal life. *Illustrations include 110 range maps, 167 black-and-white photographs, and 92 color images.*Covers 121 species, 17 more than in the previous edition. *Uses a biological subspecies concept, showing the results of evolution through differentiation. *Provides keys to orders and genera, anatomical line drawings. *Summarizes information on endangered and threatened species for each of the eastern states. *Lists state mammal books in the literature section.