Preface. Acknowledgments. Introduction. Evolutionary History: Systematics and Classification. Pinniped Evolution and Systematics. Cetacean Evolution and Systematics. Sirenians and Other Marine Mammals: Evolution and Systematics. Evolutionary Biogeography. Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Behavior: Integumentary, Sensory and Urinary Systems. Musculoskeletal System. Respiration, Diving and Breathhold Physiology. Sound Production for Communication and Echolocation. Diet, Foraging Structures and Strategies. Mating, Breeding and Social Organization. Reproductive Structures, Strategies and Patterns. Population Structure and Population Dynamics. Exploitation and Conservation. Appendix. Literature Cited. Glossary. Index.
Key Features
* Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of the biology of all marine
mammals
* Provides a phylogenetic framework that integrates phylogeny with
behavior and ecology
* Features chapter summaries, further readings, an appendix,
glossary, extensive bibliography, and many figures and photos
Annalisa Berta is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at San Diego State University. She received her Ph.D. in Paleontology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1979, and has been the author of numerous publications in her field. James Sumich is an Instructor of Marine Biology and Zoology at Grossmont Community College in El Cajon, California. He received his Ph.D. from Oregon State University in 1986.
Marine Mammals is an excellent introduction to the whole spectrum of marine mammal evolution, anatomy, behavior, ecology, and life history. ...well-organized and very readable book. References are extensive and up to date, and provide a valuable gateway to a much broader literature. -Philip D. Gingerich, Museum of Paleontology, Univ. of Michigan, in THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY (March 2001) This book is clearly useful as a reference, being thoroughly documented and relatively comprehensive. ...Highly recommended. -CHOICE (September 2000) This is great need for a text that takes a strongly evolutionary approach to the study of marine mammals. This book fills that niche. It will be useful for both upper-level undergraduates and graduates and for researchers in marine mammal science. It is well researched, lucidly written and bang up-to-date. I was also impressed by the informed and balanced treatment of current debates... -Axel Meyer, University of Konstanz, Germany, in NATURE (August 2000) This remarkable book gives an overview of the biology of marine mammals with emphasis on their evolution, anatomy, behaviour and their ecology. ...Readers, who want a modern, extensive, clear, well-organised and illustrated introduction into the evolutionary biology of marine mammals, as well as those mammalogists who need a comprehensive source of information and reference to accompany them through their own studies of the fascinating world of marine Mammalia will be well served by the broad approach of Annalisa Berta and James L. Sumich. -P. Langer in INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MAMMALIAN BIOLOGY (2000) I find this book timely and an important contribution. I certainly would use it as a required text in my Biology of Marine Mammals course. --Bernd Wursig, Texas A&M University At Galveston ...covers most of the topics one might address in a general course on marine mammals... chapters are strong, detailed, coherent, and up to date... a reasonable foundation for a comprehensive text in marine mammalogy. --Burney J. Le Boeuf, University of California, Santa Cruz This is a well-researched treatment written in a plain, no-nonsense style that I think is very effective. ...there is nothing like this summary in print. It brings together a prodigious volume of information, when coupled with the extensive bibliography, making this a valuable addition to any natural history library. It could serve as a basis for an interesting course, or source of seminar topics, etc. I think it will have a wide audience. --Richard H. Tedford, American Museum of Natural History, New York I have looked forward to the fruition of this book from its inception. ...a valuable and timely text for school use, and I can't think of anyone who would be better qualified to produce it. --Clayton E. Ray, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. I admire their willingness to undertake a task as daunting as a summary and synthesis of a rapidly growing field. The scope is broad and inclusive enough to satisfy most users in both undergraduate and graduate courses. --Daryl P. Domning, Howard University, Washington, D.C. ...all topics that should be covered in a mammal text are discussed here. ...well-written and illustrated...a good summary of cetacean diversity and all or most of the major events in cetacean evolution. ...I am sure that this book will be used in courses on marine mammalogy. --Han Thewissen, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown
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