Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology - Hardcover

Berta, Annalisa; Sumich, James L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0120932253 ISBN 13: 9780120932252

Publisher: Academic Press Inc, 1999

Synopsis

This book, by two leading marine mammalogists, is a succinct yet comprehensive text devoted to the systematics, evolution, morphology, ecology, physiology, and behavior of marine mammals. With chapters on the evolutionary history of the principle lineages, major organ systems, diving physiology, diet, sound production and echolocation, reproductive behavior, and conservation biology, this book will be required reading for all marine biologists concerned with marine mammals.

About this title

Review:

PREPUBLICATION REVIEWS "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 "...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, 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, Ohio -- Reviews

About the Author:

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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Academic Press Inc
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0120932253
• ISBN 13: 9780120932252
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 494