PART I: EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY
Systematics and Classification
Pinniped Evolution and Systematics
Cetacean Evolution and Systematics
Sirenians and Other Marine Mammals:
Evolution and Systematics
Evolutionary Biogeography
PART II: EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY,
AND BEHAVIOR
Integumentary and Sensory Systems
Musculoskeletal System and Locomotion
Energetics
Respiration and Diving Physiology
Sound Production for Communication, Echolocation, and Prey
Capture
Diet, Foraging Structures, and Strategies
Reproductive Structures, Strategies, and Patterns
Population Structure and Population Dynamics
Conservation and Protection
References
Appendix: Classification of Marine Mammals
Glossary
Index
Annalisa Berta is Associate Chair and Professor of Biology at San Diego State University. She is an evolutionary biologist who has studied fossil and modern marine mammals for over 20 years. She is President of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology and Associate Editor of Marine Mammal Science. James L. Sumich is Professor Emeritus of Biology at Grossmont College. He has studied gray whales for nearly three decades and taught college courses on marine mammals for nearly as long. His research has focused on the ecological physiology of baleen whales, particularly the energetics of their seasonal fasting migrations. Kit M. Kovacs is the Biodiversity Programme Leader for the Norwegian Polar Institute in Tromso, Norway and Professor of Biology at University Studies on Svalbard (UNIS). She has worked with Arctic marine mammal ecology for the past 20 years, focusing on behavioral ecology and population biology. She is President of the Society for Marine Mammalogy and Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Zoology.
"...successfully highlights the current state of knowledge on the
diverse assemblage of mammals that utilise the marine environment.
These authors have combined their expertise to produce a
comprehensive treatise....an excellent textbook for advanced
courses in marine mammalogy. Indeed, all scientists and students
who study marine mammals should read it...the book’s major strength
lies in the sections on the anatomy and physiology of marine
mammals. The early chapters on evolution and systematics of the
three primary groups of marine mammals (pinnipeds, cetaceans and
sirenians) are highly detailed with respect to anatomical
features...This book is an important resource and it should not be
merely viewed as a classroom textbook. It contains a wealth of
information. In addition to the biological aspects of marine
mammals, the book also provides the history of exploitation and
political attempts to manage and regulate hunting. Even though this
review is presented in an unbiased manner, the conclusions are that
current practices of overfishing may lead in the end to the demise
of a number of species. Berta, Sumich and Kovacs present a hopeful
plea that we can make future political decisions based on a sense
of stewardship of the oceans and its inhabitants." --Frank E. Fish,
Department of Biology, West Chester University in ANIMAL BIOLOGY
"...Berta et al have provided us with a crucial resource spanning
many disparate research venues...Each chapter provides extensive
references for further research. In the appendix are listed the
living species (as discussed in the book) with information such as
diagnosis, definition, distribution, fossil history and content. A
glossary, a substantial index and several pages of color photos
completes the rest of the book...certainly, this book is
appropriate for any academic library supporting marine science,
marine ecology, environmental science, evolutionary biology and
similar programs." --Peggy Dominy in E-STREAMS "This update to
the original version of this basic book originally published in
1999 is highly welcome...the authors succeed again in presenting a
book that is simultaneously challenging and easily readable for
students. The strength of the book is its integrative presentation
of adaptiveness to the marine environment (e.g. in terms of
anatomy, physiology, behaviour and ecology, all in an explicit
phylogenetic context) as opposed to isolated tales of evolutionary
adaptations. As such, the reader can always follow functional
aspects of convergent evolution in the various non-related
marine-mammal groups. Consequentially, the book starts with a
(classical) introduction to phylogenetic systematics in general
followed by specific chapters on pinniped, cetacean and sirenian
evolution and systematics. Different and even highly contradicting
views of the relationships of each group are clearly presented, and
the authors do an excellent job (especially for students) of not
trying to conceal these disagreements, but instead in leaving the
discussion open. Part I finishes with an especially nice chapter on
'evolutionary biogeography'.
The bulk of the book deals with solutions in all the various
systems to cope with the (for mammals) new marine environment. The
changes in each of these systems, especially when viewed together,
represent a powerful, outstanding and underused piece of evidence
of evolution. Following the descriptions of loss, restructuring and
'inventing' of structures in almost all systems is a pleasure in
itself, but even more so because of many instructive illustrations
by Pieter Arend Folkens and Peter J. Adam.
We should thank the authors for the great effort they have made to
gather all the diverse information available and to present it in a
highly comprehensive book, and one that can only be recommended to
all readers interested in this challenging field." --M. S.
Fischer, Jena, in JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND
EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH "...deals with the evolution of marine
mammals in detail, and the remainder of the book is a good, solid
guide to their complex biology. That said, Marine mammals:
evolutionary biology will certainly be popular with students,
because it is clearly and concisely written, and intelligently
illustrated." --CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS "...the book does
represent a good reference source that I will certainly use myself,
and it will serve those who teach these themes extremely well.
Berta et al. deserve to be congratulated for this comprehensive
tome - it is a thorough, precise and clearly written reference that
will serve admirably those interested in the evolution of marine
mammals." --Corey J.A. Bradshaw, School for Environmental Research,
Charles Darwin University, in POLAR RESEARCH
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