Book Description

Geometric Morphometrics for Biologists is an introductory textbook for a course on geometric morphometrics, written for graduate students and upper division undergraduates, covering both theory of shape analysis and methods of multivariate analysis.It is designed for students with minimal math background; taking them from the process of data collection through basic and more advanced statistical analyses.Many examples are given, beginning with simple although realistic case-studies, through examples of complex analyses requiring several different kinds of methods.The book also includes URL's for free software and step-by-step instructions for using the software.

* Accessible, student-tested introduction to sophisticated methods of biological shape analysis
* Detailed instructions for conducting analyses with freely available, easy to use software
* Numerous illustrations; including graphical presentations of important theoretical concepts and demonstrations of alternative approaches to presenting results
* Many realistic examples, both simple and complex, from on-going research
* Comprehensive glossary of technical terms ... Read more

Book Description

The field of marine mammal science has made enormous strides in the last ten years as well as attracting a large amount of interest, due no doubt to the public appeal of whales, dolphins, and seals, which are never out of media attention.The purpose of this book is to review key topics through chapters on the major disciplines from invited authorities around the world. Subjects covered include evolution and genetics, life histories, ecology, physiology, behaviour, medicine (diseases, parasitology), survey methodology, and all the main conservation issues (pollution, fisheries interactions, and sound disturbance).The book has an ecological and conservation emphasis since these are subject areas calling for the most attention in the modern world, but other areas such as evolution, physiology, and medicine are also given in-depth treatment. The book is written at the level of the undergraduate or above, although its style should appeal to anyone with a serious interest in marine mammal science. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Review from The Quaterly Review of Biology, March 2003
"The editors have successfully defined and filled this niche. The book has two distinctive viewpoints. First, all of the chapters focus on issues relating to conservation. For example, sensory systems are covered because such knowledge is relevant for the later chapters to deal with net entanglement and noise pollution...this provides an often subtle, but refreshing alternative viewpoint to most other recent books on marine mammals."

Review from Marine Mammal Science, Vol. 18, No. 4, 2002
"Let's cut to the chase, this book is simply an outstanding read regarding the evolution, behavior, health, and conservation of marine mammals... the following five topics are covered in a very complete fashion: (1) life history and ecology; (2) sensory systems; (3) survey and study techniques; (4) health, parasites, and pathogens; and (5) conservation and management. No one of these sections in necessarily better than the other, as they are all provide excellent summaries of the available literature. The text is written in a style appropriate for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. One of the things I found particularly appealing about the book is that the editors clearly emphasized to each of the contributing authors that they should include some of the cutting edge questions, where future research needs to be directed to move the various fields forward. Therefore, the text is replete with ideas and suggestions for Masters and Ph.D. level research. In addition, I think the editors, who obviously worked closely with the authors of each chapter, found the right balance between emphasizing the underlying discipline...and the wonderment of knowledge about marine mammals... this is a textbook that belongs in the bookshelves of practicing marine mammal biologists and academics interested in vertebrate biology. In addition, I highly recommend this book to graduate students interested in applying the tools of a particular discipline to a specific hypothesis that can be tested using marine mammal data. As far as textbooks go, this text has "legs" and I would venture to guess that its useful shelf-life will exceed 10 years in most disciplines covered." - Douglas P. DeMaster, National Marine Mammal Laboratory

Review from Journal of Experimental Marine Biology & Ecology
"This book is generally of high editorial standard... I intend to recommend the book as background reading for my course and to use some chapters as the basis for restructuring some of my lectures... If you are interested in marine mammals this book will certainly be a very useful addition to your library."- by Helen Marsh, James Cook University ... Read more

Book Description

The Galápagos is a truly special place. Unlike the rest of the world's archipelagoes, it still has 95 percent of its prehuman quota of species. Wildlife of the Galápagos is the most superbly illustrated and comprehensive identification guide ever to the natural splendor of these incomparable islands--islands today threatened by alien species and diseases that have diminished but not destroyed what so enchanted Darwin on his arrival there in 1835. Covering over 200 commonly seen birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, and plants, it reveals the archipelago's striking beauty through more than 400 color photographs, maps, and drawings and well-written, informative text.

While the Galápagos Giant Tortoise, the Galápagos Sea Lion, and the Flightless Cormorant are recognized the world over, these thirty-three islands--in the Pacific over 600 miles from mainland Ecuador--are home to many more unique but less famous species. Here, reptiles well outnumber mammals, for they were much better at drifting far from a continent the archipelago was never connected with; the largest native land mammals are rice rats. The islands' sixty resident bird species include the only penguin to breed entirely in the tropics and to inhabit the Northern Hemisphere.

There is a section offering tips on photography in the Equatorial sunlight, and maps of visitors' sites as well as information on the archipelago's history, climate, geology, and conservation. Wildlife of the Galápagos is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to know what so delighted Darwin.

*

Covers over 200 commonly seen species including birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, plants, and coastal and marine life
*

Illustrated with over 400 color photographs, maps, and drawings; includes maps of visitors' sites
*

Written by wildlife experts with extensive knowledge of the area
*

Includes information on the history, climate, geology, and conservation of the islands
*

The most complete identification guide to the wildlife of the Galápagos

Reviews (1)

Well worth purchasing
This book is well organised, well written and beautifully illustrated. Written by people who truly know the Galapagos Islands and all that exists there, including landings and information on what one can expect to see on arrival at any one island. I actually used three other guides whilst in the Galapago this month and only accessed this one at the end of my trip. I have continued to read this book since arriving home and highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Wolf Bible
If David L Mech's original book "the Wolf"(1970) has been known by wolf students and admirers as the 'Bible', then this new text must be known as the new testament. With contributions by the cream of the wolf biology world, including familiar names, Fred H Harrington, Rolf O Peterson, Ronald M Nowak, Ludwig N Carbyn, Douglas W Smith, Michael K Phillips and Steven H Fritts to name a few, Dr Mech (the Wolfman) and his European counterpart Luigi Boitani have put together 344 pages (plus 104 pages of index and references) of superbly researched material about Canis Lupus, the most misunderstood creature on the planet earth.

This detailed text is supplimented with numerous graphs, line drawings and photographs. But be aware, this is not a pretty picture book for your coffee table, the photographs here are included to Illustrate the behaviour and life cycle of a complex, social, carnivorous predator, whose brutal environment is matched only by their sometimes brutal survival behaviour.

Dr's Mech and Boitani must be applauded for the presentation of their material in a very readable style, scientific but not so complicated that the average reader or wolf enthusiast cannot make sense of the information provided. Yet for a wolf biology student the inclusion of the graphs and scientific data makes this a priceless piece of work, with numerous references to other available field data.

Until Dr David L Mech writes his next Wolf book (which is always an event in itself) THIS is the only book on wolves that anyone needs in their collection. Support David L Mech, support Wolf research, buy this book.

A Must Have For Wolf Lovers
This is probably the most detailed book on wolves out there. Very research and scientifically based, and also mentions areas where more research is needed, which is excellent for university students like me, wanting to know which area of research they can focus their studies on. Anybody who loves wolves and wants to really know pretty much all there is to know about them would love this book.

Great Book, Great Research
This is the Book of all Wolf Books, it has alot of research data, this book is a must for all wolf lovers or it is excellent for people like me studying Wolves ... Read more

Book Description

Radiotelemetry and Animal Populations is a succinct synthesis ofemerging technologies and their applications to the empirical and theoretical problems of population assessment. The book is divided into sections designed to encompass the various aspects of animal ecology that may be evaluated using radiotelemetry technology - experimental design, equipment and technology, animal movement, resource selection, and demographics. Wildlife biologists at the leading edge of new developments in the technology and its application have joined forces. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Radio Tracking and Animal Populations
Radio tracking and animal populations covers all aspects of radio tracking wild animals, from designing the study right through to analyzing results and drawing conclusion from the findings. I have found this book to be the most comprehensively referenced, and in depth piece of literature on radio tracking that I have managed to locate so far.
I have constantly used this book while carrying out a telemetry study as the research for my masters degree, and recommend this book as the ideal starting point for anyone considering carying out a radio tracking study of wild animals.
My only regret concerning this book is that I didn't come across it earlier in my studies.

Good review
This a good review of radio telemetry techniques and applications. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Over 2,000 species, from the tiny spider mite to the massive blue whale, are profiled in DK's astonishingly wonderful Animal, produced in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution and more than 70 expert zoologists. To call this book "profusely illustrated" is to seriously underrepresent page after page of breathtaking photos capturing each creature in sharp images, thrumming with life. Even the page borders are covered with collages of animal skins to indicate which class of organisms is represented in that section--every inch of this heavy book is gorgeous.

Besides heft and beauty, Animal has authority. Editors-in-chief David Burnie and Don E. Wilson are top biologists, and they have assembled a crack team of consultants for each section of the book. For instance, Richard Rosenblatt of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography takes charge of the chapter on fishes, so all the classification, behavior, and distribution data is up-to-date and full of the kind of detail that comes from years of professional specialization. In addition to basic size, location, and status information, each animal gets a short, one- to two-paragraph description, enough to give a feel for the creature:

The blackfin icefish produces a natural "antifreeze," enabling it to survive in the subzero waters of the Antarctic. It lacks red blood cells and hence looks rather pale, but has excellent blood circulation, and a strong heart which weighs as much as that of a small mammal. Its large, toothy mouth led to it being called the crocodile fish by 19th-century whalers.

Biodiversity has never been more at the forefront of biologists' concerns, and Animal reports on the issues critical to ecology, from habitat loss to the species that are most endangered within each class.

This book is an ideal browsing reference for all experience levels, as well as a delightful addition to the collection of any animal enthusiast or classroom. Of necessity, not all species are covered, but as a general source of information down to the genus level, Animal excels. Don't be put off by the price! Extraordinarily beautiful, biologically accurate, and packed with furry, feathery, finny, many-legged delights, Animal is one of the very best science books of 2001. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Incredible--- A must for any animal lover or student.
This book is unbelievable from cover to cover. It's both a spectacular learning tool and a book that you'll keep forever and always refer to. It's been extremely helpful to me already as I continue through school toward a job working with animals and docenting at the zoo, and it would be equally as helpful to anyone of any age who shares this interest. The pictures are real and breathtakingly beautiful, and the book's organization couldn't be any easier or more perfect. I highly recommend this book as a reference or simply as a good read, because it is just as interesting and helpful either way. Animal is now the most beautiful book I own, and packed with interesting and vital information.

Magnificent piece of work!!
A beautiful visual book. The photography is captivating to say the least, the text though short is very informative , the layout is something else and very well designed : easy access to general information. Some have objected to the fact that there is no mention of the human species; to those I say that the book's cover does say: The definitive visual guide to the world's WILDLIFE. I do admit that since invertebrates form 97% of all the known animal species,the chapter concerning them was a bit lacking and too short. One may not find enough research material for any specific animal, but nevertheless it is nothing short of stunning, it's the kind of book the whole family will enjoy and every household should have.

Buy this book!
This book is simpy outstanding. Few books can rival the wide scope offered by Animal on a vast range of organisms which include invertebrates, birds, reptiles, mammals, fish, and amphibians. The book is adorned with magnificent color photos of each organism and a compact description that provides adequate amounts of info on the organism. Although some common species are excluded, it more than makes up for this with the amount of species covered. For every common species excluded, I ran across three new species I had never heard of. This book is an extraordinary guide to the vast array of wildlife in the world. There are few books that I have found as informative and enjoyable to read as Animal. It truly is a definitive guide to the world's wildlife and I highly recommend it.

Good Book
This book is GREAT!It has lots of beautiful pictures.Many animals that are in here I've neve even heard of!The animals are not in detail though and don't expect to see any regular animals,like just a plain stingray.Very good information about habitats and endangered species.If you love animals, BUY THIS BOOK!!!

Best Animal Book Ever
This is one of the best books I have ever seen - the photography is amazing - the text well written, the science solid and up to date... It is an outstanding effort in every way and the team that put it together should be awarded. Every library should have it and every school. A great gift for animal lover such as myself. Its on my coffee table and will be read for many months to come. ... Read more

Book Description

The gulls are a large family of seabirds, familiar and distinctive as a group, but one of the most challenging to separate at the species level, especially in their various stages of immature plumage. This guide offers the most comprehensive treatment ever published on the gulls of North America, Europe, and Asia. Klaus Malling Olsen and Hans Larsson treat a total of forty-three species--each depicted in considerable detail, with a full description of every plumage and racial variation. The text is complemented not only by superb color paintings by Larsson, but also by 800 color photographs.

Gulls explore a variety of habitats, consume a wide range of food, and are often extremely abundant. They are also great wanderers, with several American species often appearing in Western Europe and vice versa. As well as identification criteria, this book includes an up-to-date assessment of the range and status of every species, together with information on patterns on vagrancy.

This important guide is published at a critical time in the development of gull taxonomy. The large white-headed gulls found in North America, Europe, and Asia comprise a superspecies complex, with the precise relationships between various components still under considerable debate. A thorough illustrative and textual treatment of the group is needed, and this book provides the most recent and complete overview. This is the essential reference to a fascinating and endlessly challenging group of birds.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fatally flawed
Once the errors are resolved, this book will be the definitive one on the complex identification of Gulls. Unfortunately there were many printing errors in the first printing (which at the time of writing, is the one listed by Amazon) and the publisher is recalling the book. See:
http://pup.princeton.edu/titles/7362.html ... Read more

Book Description

This fully revised translation of the world-renowned German edition covers the complete and modern knowledge of plant biochemistry. The book presents the topic in a concise and simplified manner so that students can digest the message and gain a basic knowledge of the entire field of plant biochemistry, from photosynthesis (the synthesis of natural plant products) to all kinds of genetic engineering with its many commercial applications. Topics include cell structure and function, lipid and polysaccharide metabolism, nitrogen fixation, phloem transport, synthesis and function of isoprenoids, phenylpropanoids and other secondary metabolites, plant growth regulation and development.Heldt provides a comprehensive description of photosynthesis, primary and secondary metabolism, the function of phytohormones and molecular engineering.The text covers research findings until the end of 2003 and identifies areas of future research. There are extensive references to the most recent scientific literature.

* Illustrated with two-color diagrams and well designed metabolic schemes
* Plant metabolism presented in the context of the structure and function of the plant
* Many examples of commercial applications for the protection and quality improvement of harvest crops, plant breeding, and the production of raw materials for industrial use
* Coverage of the latest research findings ... Read more

Book Description

Now in paperback!Examines the lives and behaviors of the highly intelligent members of the crow family, corvids, and includes 61 dramatic images from the world's top nature photographers. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Good idea, flawed execution
Ravens, Crows, Jays, Nutcrackers, and - of course - magpies (corvids to you!) are among the most intelligent of living creatures. Ravens are probably the smartest of the group and, at least in terms of ability to evaluate the meaning of a new situation, may even be comparable to apes and dolphins. This book offers a very basic generalist's look at these birds and their intelligence. Its virtues are a nice layout, clearly-written, though superficial, text and some beautiful photographs. If you don't expect too much substance, it is a passable introduction to the subject. On the other hand, there are annoying flaws. Some of the photographs (the ones at the heads of chapters) are neither credited nor captioned). There's a two page spread describing "typical members of the crow family" that gives thumbnail descriptions of 15 corvids, but the descriptions are maddeningly inconsistent. The American Crow is "almost twice the size of an American Robin", but the Common Raven is "as big as a large hawk" and the Rook is "two-thirds the size of a raven". Quick, which is bigger, a Rook or an American Crow? And is that Raven that the Rook is two-thirds the size of an Eastern Raven, a Western Raven, a European Raven, or a Raven Maniac from trying to figure this chart out? Obviously author and editor could have used some help from corvids in figuring out how to make this a more user-friendly book. The index promises more than it delivers. What's eating these creatures anyhow? Well, if you look up predators in the index, you'll be led to (among other things) a photograph of a splatter of raven parts and a caption saying that a goshawk ate the raven. This is about as detailed as it gets. Do goshawks usually eat ravens (they're about the same size)? How about vice-versa (Bernd Heinrich has an account of how he once foolishly put a harrier [marsh hawk] and a raven in the same cage overnight and found nothing left of the hawk the next morning except a feather or two)? Where do the various corvids fit in the food chains in their ecosystems? It wouldn't have taken much space to address the issue. There was certainly space for it, even if some of the more vapid musing had to give way. Or maybe I'm expecting too much and this is really nothing more than a coffee table book with some text to soothe the conscience and all of its intelligence in the fourth word of the title... If you want a sense of the real wonders of corvid intelligence, find one of the Bernd Heinrich raven books and you will marvel at what you read. As for this one, it's disappointingly shallow. I found it, except for the photographs and the odd gem of insight that I could, magpie-like, pluck out and carry with me, a waste of time and money.

Bird Brains: The Intelligence of Crows, Ravens, Magpies Jays
Absolutely fascinating with both pictures and text. Leaves you wanting more. Shows concrete proof that corvids (especially ravens)are possibly one of the top three most intelligent species on the planet. Even if you can't possibly bring it in yourself to believe that, it's still a great book to read and use as a reference, especially if you are interested in drawing birds. The glimpses of the signifigance of corvids in religions, folklore and literature are eye-opening, but they are glimpses and not really fleshed out. It's a small quibble--this is one of the most beautiful AND thought-provoking books I own

Lively writing, spectacular pictures
Savage's entertaining book explores the behaviors of the most intelligent of birds: the crows, ravens, magpies and jays. Beautifully illustrated with 61 color photographs, this large-format volume uses the latest scientific and anecdotal evidence to show how these birds, slaves to instinct in such things as nest-building, will, nevertheless, use their powers of learning and observation to improvise repairs.

She explores the social and family lives of jays who apprentice younger birds in rearing new families, ravens showing off flying expertise in courtship games, crows evaluating food. While perfectly willing to speculate about the mental processes behind bird decisions, Savage is always careful to separate fancy from scientific fact. The writing is clear and entertaining and the pictures are spectacular.

Depends on what you are looking for
This book has some interesting anecdotes on Crows, Ravens & Jays, and it does also describe much of the day to day life of these birds. The book is more than 50% full page photographs, and the photography is excellent. There are a few Brandenburg photos that have the Brandenburg touch, an animal filmed intimately close. But if you are trying to do reseach on animal intelligence, this book is too shallow for that. It glosses over some reseach and incidents that I've read about more thouroughly in other sources. I wanted to say but but there's more... or yes but that has only been observed in two locations. If you are looking for photography and some general knowledge on corvids, this is the book. If you are researching animal intelligence, try George Page for a solid introduction. I think the title is Animal Minds. And if you already know quite a bit about this subject, you know where to look better than I do.

Bird Brains
This is not the book to buy if you want to do any kind of research on corvids. It doesn't go into depth on any one of the family of corvidae. I had thought (mistakenly) that a book published by the venerated Sierra Club would have had more substance to it. The pictures are nice, though. ... Read more

Book Description

The Insects takes a detailed look at how insects function as animals. This textbook brings together basic anatomy and physiology and relates them to behavior. Coverage emphasizes the roles of different functional systems in the context of the whole organism using studies of many different species as examples. Unlike other texts, The Insects does not dwell on classification, opting instead to take an in-depth look at physiology, providing any biologist with a better basic understanding of how insects work. A long-awaited update of a well established standard text and respected reference work for students and researchers in zoology, entomology and physiology, this fourth edition has been rewritten throughout, while retaining the successful structure of the earlier editions. Illustrations have been augmented with electron micrographs, and expanded reference sections will make this volume a valuable addition to all biologists' bookshelves. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A solid text
This is a solid text on the structure and physiology of insects. It has been used in two of my graduate level entomology classes, and none of the instructors have said "I wish Chapman had done ... differently".

Good text for advanced students
Chapman's book is a comprehensive and well-written entomology text. Not only does he cover all the basic topics in entomology, he does so in depth. This text may be too detailed and overwhelming for begining entomology students but is great for more advanced students. The one problem I have with this book is that Chapman often uses jargon without defining or explaining it, leaving the reader to look it up or remain confused.

Illinois Physiology Class Recommends Chapman's Text
The following comments were written by graduate and undergraduate members of an advanced class in insect physiology taught Spring Semester 2000.

Chapman's book is interesting and covers a variety of topics. It is interesting for learning about how much insects differ between orders. Chapman gives many examples of different phenomena in insects. As a student, though, all the examples and different phenomena make studying from the book difficult and overwhelming. It is useful as a reference, a book to read to clarify topics discussed in lecture. But it is very specific with the examples.

Chapman's textbook is comprehensive. It covers all aspects of insect physiology. It has full and updated literature citations for each chapter, which is very helpful for further reading. The language is simple and precise. But it is a little bit conservative and has slight coverage of some hot topics. The coverage favors insect structure and morphology.

For me as a student the Chapman text was very helpful, because it is clearly structured and it covers nearly all important fields of insect physiology and structure. The new edition is very up-to-date and gives good examples from recent investigations. It is a bit too focused on research conducted in the US, but this probably reflects the fact that most of the important research is conducted there. The illustrations are very clear and helpful.

I used this textbook in an advanced insect physiology class. To be perfectly honest, this book was a minor part of the class for me. I skimmed through it, used it for references, and as a sort of entomology handbook. From my perspective, it was a very complete source of information. At times it was a bit heavy on detail, but the information I needed was all there and clearly stated.

This book is not one that is useful to read from front to back. It is an excellent reference book that should be owned by all entomologists. Three or more specific examples are given for each topic instead of a generic example for all insects. This is useful because it gives you the range of known physiology of insects that can be compared to the reader's "insect of choice."

Chapman gives all the details an entomologist needs to know about insects. It may be a bit confusing due to the vast number of insects, but it is a good resource to own and keep. Chapman is very thorough.

One of the strengths of Chapman's new edition of Insects, Structure and Function is the wealth of examples. Every section of the book has examples from just about all of the orders of insects, although grasshoppers seem to rule disproportionately. A weakness with all of these wonderful examples is the cumbersome way Chapman places a list of them at the beginning of a section. He intends them to be as authoritative fleet of representatives who give some scale and scope to the subject being presented. They unfortunately end up as a heavy flotilla that diverts the reader's attention from the information sought. There are places in the book where subjects that are usually treated together or that work as a whole system are poorly integrated. Digestion and nutrition are so separately treated (they are in different chapters) that the reader finds herself having to cross reference from section to section to make cogent sense of what nutrients have to do with digestion. Strangely, when Chapman presents the great variety of insect form and function one has a sense of cacophony. Instead of giving us a unity, or even the illusion of unity, of how form and function interact we are presented with vignettes of research. But these vignettes do not provide us with the pretty and easy to get to views that we find on the Internet. We find ourselves lost somewhere in a tome that is more intent on directing our attention to variation than to presenting us with direct descriptions. But then again, how do you argue with the only author in English who has been brave enough to try to make a synthetic analysis of the most diverse group of animals on earth?

AN ESSENTIAL BOOK !!!!!!!!!
If you have Wiggleswort's Insect Physilology, Borror's Introduction to Entonology and Chapman's Insects Structure and Function, you have the best basic Entomology sources. Yes, is a little expensive but, It is not the life expensive too?. Buy it !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Book Description

John Fleagle has improved on his 1988 text by reconceptualizing chapters and by bringing new findings in functional and evolutionary approaches to bear on his synthesis of comparative primate data. The Second Edition provides a foundation upon which students can develop an understanding of our primate heritage. It features up-to-date information gained through academic training, laboratory experience and field research. This beautifully illustrated volume provides a comprehensive introductory text explaining the many aspects of primate biology and human evolution.

Key Features
* Provides up-to-date information about many aspects of primate biology and evolution
* Contains a completely new chapter on primate communities
* Presents totally revised chapters on primate origins, early anthropoids, and fossil platyrrhines
* Includes an updated glossary, new illustrations, and a revised Classification of Order Primates
* Succeeds as the best introductory text on primate evolution because it synthesizes and allows access to primary literature ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Unquestionably the best undergrad textbook
Anyone who teaches an intro to primates course will wish to assign this book to their students. There are a variety of textbooks on the subject available, and some of them are excellent. Fleagle's volume, however, is the only one that provides such a complete review of the fossil record and anatomical variation, as well as behavioral variation. It is concise, thorough, and complete, and the best of the choices available to an instructor in this subject.

a must-have
Can you study physical anthropology and not have this book? Probably not. If it hasn't been assigned to you as part of your education and you are serious about physical anthropology, you should buy this book right now. This book outlines the living primates as well as the extinct species in an easy to understand, easy to learn format. It has all the information you could ever need to know about living and extinct primates.

excellent source of reference for primatology enthusiasts
During college, I used this book extensively to gather initial information on primates. This book covers anywhere from the evolutionary relationship of primates, to the current dentition of any primate species. The book does an excellent job of cataloging primate species to be easily referenced. ... Read more

Book Description

These extraordinary photographs by two brothers, Anup and Manoj Shah, take the reader on a spectacular journey into the heart of the African savannah, concentrating on the Serengeti-Maasai Mara and Ngorongoro Crater regions in Kenya and Tanzania. The Shah brothers' breathtaking images chronicle life and death in one of the most fascinating and complex eco-systems in the world, a place left largely untouched by man. Here lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, cheetahs, hippos, hyenas, baboons, wildebeests, and thousands of other species give birth, play, hunt, feed, groom, sleep, mate, migrate, and die in the dramatic scenes played out on these pages.

Anup Shah's text complements the images, starting with the most basic elements necessary for life on the savannah and gradually building up to the intricate, dynamic interactions between the plants and animals in the food chain and their environment. Every aspect of daily life is touched on: evolution and natural selection, sex and mating rituals, birth and motherhood, staying alive and getting along, predators and prey, herds and social groups. In the final chapters the reader discovers that in death all living things return to the soil, where it all began, thus completing the circle of life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beautiful & Massive Documentation of Life on the Savannah.
Anup and Manoj Shah have distinguished themselves in the populous field of wildlife photography by producing expressive and beautiful portraits of wild animals that document the individuals' lives while achieving impressive aesthetic grace. Many of the brothers' photographs are simply unforgettable works of art that I never tire of looking at. "The Circle of Life" is a massive book that contains 235 photographs of wildlife on the African Savannah. About 40 species of mammal are represented, as well as some birds and reptiles. In the most comprehensive photographic essay of wildlife that I have ever seen, the Shah brothers document the lives of the many animals who live and die in this vast African ecosystem that spans much of Kenya and Tanzania. The authors have organized this photographic odyssey by dividing the book into 20 chapters, each showcasing one aspect of life on the Savannah. The early chapters show us the basic elements that create and sustain life. Some example chapters are: "Driven by Wet and Dry", "Light and Energy", and "Shaped by Fire and Elephants". The book then moves on to the subjects of birth and growing up on the Savannah. "Natural Selection", "Adaptation and Diversity", "Peaceful Coexistence", and "Mother and Offspring", for example. Then we see the lives of adult animals. Some examples are: "Herds and Social Groups", "Grazers and Browsers", and "The Hunters". And finally these animals die, returning to the earth, and the "circle of life" begins again: "Scavengers and Decomposers", "Land and Life". Each chapter begins with an essay written by Anup Shah that explains what that particular facet of life on the Savannah entails and how it fits into the greater life cycle.

The photographs in "The Circle of Life" are mostly one-to-a-page, but there are also 2-page spreads and pages containing two photographs. The reproduction quality is good. All photographs have detailed captions. An index in the back of the book allows the reader to locate text and photographs by species or topic. The index is most helpful considering the size of this volume. If you're familiar with the work of Anup and Manoj Shah through "Nature's Best" magazine, most, but not all, of their "Nature's Best" photographs are included in this book. "The Circle of Life" is a record of wildlife on the African Savannah that is impressive in its size, scope, and beauty. Only photographers who spend an extraordinary amount of time in this environment could have captured so much of the lives of so many species. It's a pleasure to see the results of Anup and Manoj Shah's experience and persistence in one volume. "The Circle of Life" is a fantastic coffee table book for nature photography fans, as well as a great visual resource for anyone studying this ecosystem. ... Read more

Book Description

The parasitic Hymenoptera are a highly successful and importantgroup of insects comprising probably over a million species. Despitethe vast amount of research that has been carried out on the groupover the last 100 years or so, there are still many unexplainedaspects of their biology. In recent years interest in the parasiticHymenoptera has grown as a result of the increasing demand forbiological methods for pest control and their possible use as naturalenemies. Parasitic wasps are also tremendously important in researchon pollution dynamics and on host-parasite interactions. In this unique volume Donald Quicke provides an up-to-date review ofthe biology of parasitic wasps which focuses primarily on genetics,developmental biology, physiology, anatomy and molecular biology,though many aspects of behaviour and ecology are also covered.Attention is drawn to the importance of both life history strategy anphylogeny to many features of parasitic wasp biology, and exciting newareas of research are highlighted. Parasitic Wasps provides anextensive guide to the relevant literature. The book will prove invaluable to researchers working on this groupand to those with broader interests in entomology, physiology,behaviour, ecology and pest control. ... Read more

Book Description

An Introduction to the Invertebrates is a short guide to the invertebrate phyla, looking at their diverse forms, functions, and evolutionary relationships. This book introduces evolution and the molecular methods of tracing it. The volume then discusses the distinctive body plan of each invertebrate phylum showing what has evolved, how the animals live, and how they develop. Boxes introduce physiological mechanisms and development. Finally the author combines fossil and molecular evidence to present an up-to-date view of evolutionary history, showing a better definition of the relationships among invertebrates. This user-friendly and well-illustrated introduction will be invaluable for all those studying invertebrates. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

is what it says it is
Moore's introduction is brief, but informative. Structured in the standard format for a zoology textbook, she covers the basics quickly and well, and then raises interesting questions that pertain to whatever phylum is in question.
Having already done coursework in invertebrates, I found this a good refresher and still full of things I did not know (or had completely forgotten). ... Read more

Book Description

The hummingbird is a compact wonder of physiology, and has long been a source of fascination for observers of the natural world. This tiny creature is a record breaker on many fronts, from its highly efficient use of food for energy to its staggeringly impressive annual long-distance migrations. The mystery and achievement of the hummingbird has clearly made its mark.

A zoologist by training and a bird lover by nature, author Robert Burton marries a rigorous scientific knowledge about these unique birds with an engaging appreciation for and a delight in his subject.

In lively and informative text, Burton introduces the hummingbird and deftly explores its natural history, its essential relationship with plant life, the miracle of its flight, its elaborate social life as well as its nesting behavior and renowned migratory habits. Also addressed is the hummingbird's rich relationship with humans, including its place in myth and legend. Burton also discusses the post-contact trade in hummingbird feathers, which has significantly depleted its populations, and the current threats to its habitat. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Gorgeous Book
I charged this book out of the Beaverton, Oregon, library and may buy it for a friend who loves hummingbirds. It's beautiful. It contains many interesting facts and was an easy read. Some of the information could be used by school teachers to do a nice lecture for their students with a subsequent homework assignment to learn more about birds.

Packed with both color photos and fascinating facts
There have been many books written on hummingbirds; so why another? Robert Burton's World Of The Hummingbird provides a focus on the science of the hummingbird more than its coffee-table predecessors, considering the bird's survival tactics, daily patterns, and habitats. From feeding to migration patterns, this is packed with both color photos and fascinating facts easily accessible to lay readers. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Must Read
As an amateur aquarium enthusiast, I've had trouble obtaining accurate and reliable information about the design and functioning of aquatic systems. This book takes a serious top-down approach so the reader can drill-down as far as he wants into theory and mathematics to satisfy his curiosity. It is well organized and concisely written. The chapters on ultraviolet sterilizes are particularly well-done. I can now hold my own with retailers and manufacturers' representatives who push buyers towards high cost solutions that are inefficient or don't work. Now if Mr. Escobar would take on natural aquatic systems, I might learn the relationship between sunlight and artificial ultraviolet lighting as it relates to the control of algae!

A step forward but only 1 Step
More facts and science and less anecdotal data and conventional wisdom is long overdue in the aquaria hobbies. This book is a step in that direction. This is not a book with lots of colorful pictures that merely repeats what has been repeated in so many other books on aquaria, with or without any factual basis. This book presents models of several pieces of equipment used in aquaria systems. The models use quantitative elements (i.e., expressable as numbers), then present the math to show how the models work.

For example, if a water pump can pump so many gallons per hour, how long will it take for the pump to process all of the water in the tank? (It's not as simple as you might first think.) This book presents a model for that. Models are presented for sizing Ultraviolet sterilizers, skim filters, and determining processing rates for water processing devices generally.

But it is not all science; there is dogma here too. An unsupported claim is that ultraviolet sterilizers are one of the most important pieces of equipment for an aquaria. This is controversial at best and just plain false at worst. But in any event, there is no scientific support for the claim in the book.

The models are somewhat lacking also. The processing model for sizing ultraviolet sterilizers and determining proper flow rates does not take into account the replication rate of organisms. In fact, this matter is swept away with a wave of the hand, basically saying if you want to pick a different processing rate, go ahead. But no accurate model of sterilization can ignore the math involved with the rate of bacteria or protozoa replicating.

The models also assume, quite impractically for real application of the models, that whenever a pump, filter or ultraviolet sterilizers returns water to a tank, the water is instantly and thoroughly mixed with the other water in the tank -- instant homogeneity. This assumption is useful in simplifying the model but it hardly applies to any real world situation. So the formulas for determing the number of times a given device will turnover all the water in an aquarium has little practical application. But even if that were not a problem, the correct number of turnovers is assumed more or less--unless you know a lot more about bacteria decomposition in various filters than most people do.

This book does a reasonable job of explain how the models are built. But the books focuses on certain equipment (the kind author's company sells?) and ignores others without presenting any scientific support for those choices. The book describes water pumps but only those having two moving parts; it ignores water pumps that have only one moving part, such as Eheim has used for years.

When presenting the formula for selecting a heater, the formula doesn't facdtor in the heat from water pumps (almost all water pumps, powerheads, filter [umps use the aquarium water to dissipate motor heat), lights, etc. So practical application of the formula is limited.

The book doesn't note the characteristic problem with fluidized bed/sand filters. All types of filters have good and bad points. The famous bad point of fluidized bed filters is that once the flow throw the sand becomes uneven at all, the unevenness exacerbates itself until you clean or replace the sand. And it's not hard for the sand to develop some uneveness.

So this is a good book as far as it goes. Rather than just saying, for example, this kind of filter works, it provides a mathematical model of (some of) how it works. That's a step in the right direction towards putting more science and less marketing hype and merely anecdotal data in the hobby. Developing the formulas is the right idea, but the formulas are not yet complete --and they focus on some equipment ignoring other, in some cases mor common, equipment. So it is only one step in the right direction; it doesn't make the whole trip.

With that in mind it's worth reading, although maybe best borrowed once from a library.

wonderful but confusing!!!
hope you know your algebra kiddies, this book has plenty of it, but many helpful insights on how to stop wasting your money on things that do not work, and why, we dug it!! the equasions are kinds confusing though nikki

Technical... but full ok knowledge
Although a bit technical at times, Escobal's book is designed to literally teach aquarists the often mysterious ways our aquatic devices really work. As a dedicated aquarist, I have tinkered with all my aquariums for a long time but, it was not until I got this book, that I truly began to understand the chemistry or physics behind the diverse array of filters, protein skimmers, reactors and so forth, that are part of this hobby. The book is written like a textbook and it includes exercises, examples, charts and graphics. As a result, the reader can absorb the contents as his/her own pace and safely tinker with his/her own devices at home. Although at times too technical, the book is a true jewel to be cherished by all who love aquatic life and strive to keep it alive and well in their aquariums.

Great but always missing the final simplification...
25 years ago I made a living of Dr. Escobal's book on celestial mechanics. I was in awe of him then and now.

This book is unique in aquaium hobby (all fish?) books in as much as it actually derrives things from first principles. Which is fascinating for a fellow physicist/EE.

My only complaint is that a little intuition would always motivate the math and usually give the same results. I.e if the range/depth dissapation of a UV light in H20 is 2", it's too not surprizing that with a 1" light tube the optimal diameter is around 3", etc. Using that result it's pretty simple to get the dose. I came at it the other way and loaded all the math into Mathematica and played around with different limits/optimizations for a while until the light turned on. So sometimes the results seem more analytical than they might be, but they are important results: use a flow meter!

If you're not handy with a calculator, then this book isn't for you, but if you are and you want to see a lot of silly claims made by gadget vendors debunked, then you'll find this interesting. ... Read more

Book Description

Recent investigations in the rapidly expanding field ofnanobiomechanics have produced a wealth of exciting new data providingnovel insights into the mechanisms of elasticity of "stretchy"biomolecules. A representative cross-section of elastic biomoleculesis covered in this volume, which combines seventeen contributions fromleading research groups. State-of-the-art molecular mechanicsexperiments are described dealing with the elasticity of DNA andnucleoprotein complexes, titin and titin-like proteins in muscle, aswell as proteins of the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix.The book speaks particularly to cell biologists, biophysicists, orbioengineers, and to senior researchers and graduate students alike,who are interested in recent advances in single-molecule technology(optical tweezers technique, atomic force microscopy), EM imaging, andcomputer simulation approaches to study nanobiomechanics. The findingsdiscussed here have redefined our view of the role mechanical signalsplay in cellular functions and have greatly helped improve ourunderstanding of biological elasticity in general. ... Read more

Book Description

This color field guide describes 189 species of fish and 65 species of invertebrates that are commonly observed by divers and snorklers in this region. Each species is illustrated with a color photo. The narrative includes identification, maximum size, habitat,geographic range and, in most cases, natural history notes. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is an essential anatomical resource for developmental biologists who need to know about any aspect of mouse developmental anatomy, as well as for geneticists using the mouse embryo as a model. The book is a companion to Kaufman's The Atlas of Mouse Development, and details the developmental anatomy of the early embryo, the transitional tissues, and all the major organ systems. It also provides extensive comparisons with human developmental anatomy, both normal and abnormal. The book has extensive reference indexes detailing developmental stage criteria.
The Anatomical Basis of Mouse Development will be a key reference work for anyone who needs to understand developmental anatomy in normal and mutant mice.

Key Features
* Complements Kaufman's The Atlas of Mouse Development
* Gives anatomical descriptions from oogenesis to birth, at a level of detail that goes beyond that found in most literature
* Provides detailed explanations for geneticists and molecular biologists with limited anatomical background to help them understand the emergence of all the major structures in the mouse embryo
* Contains comprehensive indexes detailing the appearance of over 1000 organs, tissues, and their components at different stages of mouse embryogenesis
* Includes comparisons with normal and abnormal human development
* Contains over 100 clear line diagrams showing mouse developmental anatomy as well as lineage relationships for the major organ systems ... Read more

Reviews (1)

weighty but informative
This book is an sourcebook for the embryological orign of tissues in mammals. Its information is too detailed and dense for use as a textbook but is a neccessary addition to your library as an excellent reference book if you are studying vertebrate development (or have knocked out a gene and can't figure out what is wrong with the resulting animals). I also use it as a backup reference for preparing lectures for the developmental biology course I teach since it often has information that can not be found elsewhere. ... Read more

Book Description

Based on nearly 40 years of teaching, this book thoroughly describes the principles and fundamentals of insect physiology. Readers will quickly understand the terminology needed to navigate the voluminous, scattered literature in the field. With approximately 1500 references and more than 240 figures and tables, Insect Physiology and Biochemistry is useful as a core text for upper division and graduate students, as well as a valuable reference for scientists who work with insects in genetics, biochemistry, virology, microbiology, and behavior. ... Read more