Mammal Species of the World


Book Description

This indispensable reference work belongs in public and academic libraries throughout the world and on the shelf of every biologist who works with mammals.




Mammalian Diversification


Book Description

Fourteen chapters by colleagues and former students celebrating the career of James L. Patton, the emeritus curator of mammals at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. All the papers deal with mammalian evolution.




Life Underground


Book Description

Many mammals like to dig in the dirt, but few call it home. Those that do, such as mole-rats, zokors, and tuco-tucos, have developed novel adaptations to their subterranean life, including bones and muscles modified for efficient digging and ways to "see" underground without using their eyes. These unusual traits, adopted independently by unrelated groups around the world, also make subterranean rodents fascinating subjects for biologists. Life Underground provides the first comprehensive review of the biology of subterranean rodents. Arranged by topic rather than by taxon to facilitate cross-species comparisons, chapters cover such subjects as morphology, physiology, social behavior, genetic variation, and evolutionary diversification. Two main questions run throughout the book. First, to what extent has subterranean life shaped the biology of these animals, leading to similar adaptations among otherwise dissimilar species? Second, how have the distinct evolutionary histories of these groups led to different solutions to the challenges posed by life underground?




Subterranean Rodents


Book Description

Subterranean Rodents presents achievements from recent years of research on these rodents, divided into five sections: ecophysiology; sensory ecology; life histories, behavioural ecology and demography; environmental and economical impact; molecular ecology and evolution. It is a must for all researchers working in this field and will be of interest to zoologists, physiologists, morphologists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists.




Estimating Species Trees


Book Description

Recent computational and modeling advances have produced methods for estimating species trees directly, avoiding the problems and limitations of the traditional phylogenetic paradigm where an estimated gene tree is equated with the history of species divergence. The overarching goal of the volume is to increase the visibility and use of these new methods by the entire phylogenetic community by specifically addressing several challenges: (i) firm understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the methodology, (ii) empirical examples demonstrating the utility of the methodology as well as its limitations, and (iii) attention to technical aspects involved in the actual software implementation of the methodology. As such, this volume will not only be poised to become the quintessential guide to training the next generation of researchers, but it will also be instrumental in ushering in a new phylogenetic paradigm for the 21st century.




Ecological Genetics


Book Description

This volume represents work by five distinguished ecological geneticists, offering an up-to-date source for theoretical concepts and experiments in an exciting field. Combining ecological fieldwork and laboratory genetics, ecological genetics examines the adjustments and adaptations of wild populations to their environments. Articles focus on important interactions between genetics and population ecology, delving into issues like gene flow and migration, population differentiation, the maintenance of genetic variation, and the demographic and spatial structure of populations. The contributors--Janis Antonovics, Michael Lynch, Montgomery Slatkin, Joseph Travis, and Sara Via--emphasize the importance of population size and structure, interaction between local selection and genetic drift, and an expanded phenotype including quantitative as well as qualitative characters. This new form of ecological genetics focuses on large-scale geographic variation in demographic and genetic dynamics among small, partially isolated populations and will prove extremely valuable in natural resource management and in rare or endangered species conservation. Originally published in 1994. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.




Wildlife Review


Book Description




Plant and Animal Endemism in California


Book Description

California is globally renowned for its biological diversity, including its wealth of unique, or endemic, species. Many reasons have been cited to explain this abundance: the complex geology and topography of its landscape, the special powers of its Mediterranean-type climate, and the historic and modern barriers to the wider dispersal of its flora and fauna. Plant and Animal Endemism in California compiles and synthesizes a wealth of data on this singular subject, providing new and updated lists of native species, comparing patterns and causes of both plant and animal endemism, and interrogating the classic explanations proposed for the state’s special significance in light of new molecular evidence. Susan Harrison also offers a summary of the innovative tools that have been developed and used in California to conserve and protect this stunning and imperiled diversity.




Sibling Species of Titmice in the Parus Inornatus Complex (Aves


Book Description

In a comprehensive investigation of macrogeographic variation in the Plain Titmouse (Parus inornatus) complex in western North America, the author assessed population-level patterns of differentiation in morphometric, colorimetric, allozymic, mtDNA, and vocal characters. These suites of traits showed broad geographic concordance, distinguishing Pacific slope from interior populations. These two groups of populations are treated as sibling species.