By Annalisa Berta, James L. Sumich, Kit M. Kovacs
ISBN-10: 0120885522
ISBN-13: 9780120885527
Berta and Sumich have succeeded over again in growing more advantageous marine studying! This e-book is a succinct but entire textual content dedicated to the systematics, evolution, morphology, ecology, body structure, and behaviour of marine mammals. the 1st version, thought of the top textual content within the box, is needed interpreting for all marine biologists eager about marine mammals. Revisions contain updates of citations, enlargement of approximately each bankruptcy and whole colour pictures. This identify maintains the culture by way of totally increasing and updating approximately all chapters.
* finished, up to date insurance of the biology of all marine mammals
* presents a phylogenetic framework that integrates phylogeny with habit and ecology
* beneficial properties bankruptcy summaries, additional readings, an appendix, thesaurus and an intensive bibliography
* interesting new colour images and extra distribution maps
""...successfully highlights the present nation of information at the assorted assemblage of mammals that utilise the marine atmosphere. These
authors have mixed their services to supply a accomplished treatise....an very good textbook for complicated classes in marine mammalogy. certainly, all scientists and scholars who research marine mammals may still learn it...the book’s significant energy lies within the sections at the anatomy and body structure of marine mammals. The early chapters on evolution and systematics of the 3 basic teams of marine mammals (pinnipeds, cetaceans and sirenians) are hugely specific with recognize to anatomical features...This publication is a vital source and it may no longer be purely seen as a lecture room textbook. It encompasses a wealth of data. as well as the organic facets of marine mammals, the e-book additionally offers the background of exploitation and political makes an attempt to regulate and keep an eye on looking. even supposing this overview is gifted in an independent demeanour, the conclusions are that present practices of overfishing could lead finally to the dying of a few species. Berta, Sumich and Kovacs current a hopeful plea that we will make destiny political judgements in response to a feeling of stewardship of the oceans and its inhabitants.""
- Frank E. Fish, division of Biology, West Chester collage in ANIMAL BIOLOGY
""...Berta et al have supplied us with a vital source spanning many disparate learn venues...Each bankruptcy offers broad references for additional examine. within the appendix are indexed the residing species (as mentioned within the booklet) with details corresponding to analysis, definition, distribution, fossil heritage and content material. A thesaurus, a considerable index and several other pages of colour images completes the remainder of the book...certainly, this e-book is suitable for any educational library helping marine technology, marine ecology, environmental technology, evolutionary biology and comparable programs.""
- Peggy Dominy in E-STREAMS
""This replace to the unique model of this uncomplicated ebook initially released in 1999 is extremely welcome...the authors be triumphant back in providing a ebook that's concurrently hard and simply readable for college kids. The power of the booklet is its integrative presentation of adaptiveness to the marine setting (e.g. when it comes to anatomy, body structure, behaviour and ecology, all in an specific phylogenetic context) in preference to remoted stories of evolutionary diversifications. As
such, the reader can consistently stick with practical features of convergent evolution within the a number of non-related marine-mammal teams. Consequentially, the e-book begins with a (classical) advent to phylogenetic systematics often by way of particular chapters on pinniped, cetacean and sirenian evolution and systematics. various or even hugely contradicting perspectives of the relationships of every team are truly awarded, and the authors do a great task (especially for college students) of now not attempting to cover those disagreements, yet in its place in leaving the dialogue open. half I finishes with a particularly great bankruptcy on 'evolutionary biogeography'.
The bulk of the publication bargains with options in all of the numerous structures to deal with the (for mammals) new marine atmosphere. The alterations in each one of those platforms, specifically while considered jointly, symbolize a robust, amazing and underused piece of proof of evolution. Following the descriptions of loss, restructuring and 'inventing' of constructions in just about all structures is a excitement in itself, yet much more so due to many instructive illustrations through Pieter Arend Folkens and Peter J. Adam.
We should still thank the authors for the good attempt they've got made to collect all of the assorted info on hand and to provide it in a highly
comprehensive ebook, and person who can purely be suggested to all readers attracted to this hard field.""
- M. S. Fischer, Jena, in magazine OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
""...deals with the evolution of marine mammals intimately, and the rest of the booklet is an effective, stable consultant to their complicated biology. That stated, Marine mammals: evolutionary biology will surely be well liked by scholars, since it is obviously and concisely written, and intelligently illustrated.""
- in CAMBRIDGE college PRESS
""...the publication does symbolize a very good reference resource that i'm going to definitely use myself, and it'll serve those that educate those subject matters tremendous good. Berta et al. should be congratulated for this entire tome - it's a thorough, detailed and obviously written reference that may serve admirably these attracted to the evolution of marine mammals.""
- Corey J.A. Bradshaw, university for Environmental learn, Charles Darwin college, in POLAR learn