A completely revised and updated edition of the leading mammalogy textbook, featuring color photographs throughout and a new streamlined structure for enhanced use in courses.
There are more than 6,400 species in the class Mammalia, including the blue whale—the largest animal that has ever lived—and the pygmy shrew, which weighs little more than a dime. Such diversity among mammals has allowed them to play critical roles in every ecosystem, whether marine, freshwater, alpine, tundra, forest, or desert.
Reflecting the expertise and perspective of five leading mammalogists, the fifth edition of Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity, Ecology significantly updates taxonomy, adds a new introductory chapter on the science of mammalogy, and highlights several recently described species. To enhance its appeal to students, textual material has been reduced, consolidated, and streamlined without sacrificing breadth or depth of coverage. The fifth edition includes
• for the first time, stunning color photographs throughout • chapters rearranged and grouped to best reflect phylogenetic relationships, with updated numbers of genera and species for each family • updated mammalian structural and functional adaptations, as well as ordinal fossil histories • recent advances in mammalian phylogeny, biogeography, social behavior, and ecology, with 12 new or revised cladograms reflecting current research findings • new breakout boxes on novel or unique aspects of mammals
• new work on female post-copulatory mate choice, cooperative behaviors, group defense, and the role of the vomeronasal system • discussions of the current implications of climate change and other anthropogenic factors for mammals
Maintaining the accessible, readable style for which Feldhamer and his coauthors are well known, this new edition of Mammalogy is the authoritative textbook on this amazingly diverse class of vertebrates.
Preface PART 1. Introduction Chapter 1 The Science of Mammalogy Chapter 2 Methods for Studying Mammals Chapter 3 Phylogeny and Diversification of Mammals Chapter 4 Evolution and Dental Characteristics Chapter 5 Biogeography PART 2. Structure and Function Chapter 6 Integument, Support, and Movement Chapter 7 Modes of Feeding Chapter 8 Environmental Adaptations Chapter 9 Reproduction PART 3. Adaptive Radiation and Diversity Chapter 10 Orders: Monotremata and Marsupials Chapter 11 Orders: Macroscelidea, Afrosoricida, Tubulidentata Chapter 12 Orders: Proboscidea, Hyracoidea, Sirenia Chapter 13 Orders: Pilosa and Cingulata Chapter 14 Orders: Scandentia and Dermoptera Chapter 15 Order: Primates Chapter 16 Orders: Rodentia and Lagomorpha Chapter 17 Order: Eulipotyphla Chapter 18 Orders: Carnivora and Pholidota Chapter 19 Orders: Perissodactyla and Cetartiodactyla Chapter 20 Infraorder: Cetacea Chapter 21 Order: Chiroptera PART 4. Behavior and Ecology Chapter 22 Sexual Selection, Parental Care, and Mating Systems Chapter 23 Social Behavior and Communication Chapter 24 Movement Patterns and Spatial Relationships Chapter 25 Populations and Life History Chapter 26 Community Ecology PART 5. Special Topics Chapter 27 Parasites and Zoonotic Diseases Chapter 28 Conservation Glossary References Credits Index
George A. Feldhamer is professor emeritus of zoology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He is the senior editor of Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, and Conservation and the coauthor of Mammals of the National Parks and Deer: The Animal Answer Guide. Joseph F. Merritt is a professor of zoology at the University of Illinois and the author of Guide to the Mammals of Pennsylvania and Biology of Small Mammals. Carey Krajewski is a professor of zoology at Southern Illinois University and the associate editor of the Journal of Mammalian Evolution. Janet L. Rachlow is a professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Idaho. Kelley M. Stewart is an associate professor of wildlife ecology and conservation at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Reviews for Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity, Ecology
Further exploration of mammalogy, as a case study in natural history and comparative phylogeny, will be richly enhanced for anyone who studies this new edition of an excellent publication. Feldhamer et al. provide a resource for comparing, contrasting, and appreciating the whole array of orders and species that make up the Class Mammalia. --The Quarterly Review of Biology This book provides a wealth of information on major topics in biology using examples specific to mammals. --Journal of Mammalogy [Mammalogy] will challenge the student to think critically and seek to understand rather than merely remember the facts. --Reference Reviews The Feldhamer et al. tome is still the best review reference of mammalogy as a field and one that represents the standard for an all-encompassing reference volume. --Journal of Mammalian Evolution This latest edition provides a comprehensive, well-illustrated introduction to the diversity and ecology of extant mammals... A handsome and valuable reference source for those seeking an introductory understanding of mammals. --Choice Anyone teaching or studying mammalogy will be interested in this excellent textbook. --Wildlife Activist An excellent mammalogy text... filled with wonderfully descriptive illustrations. --Association of Southeastern Biologists Bulletin This attractive book will be welcome to those seeking a well-written, current text to use in their mammalogy courses... It is logically organized, clearly written, well referenced, and nicely illustrated. --Journal of Mammalogy