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Marine Mammals,

Edition 3 Evolutionary Biology

Editors: By Annalisa Berta, James L. Sumich and Kit M. Kovacs

Publication Date: 23 Apr 2015

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Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology, Third Edition is a succinct, yet comprehensive text devoted to the systematics, evolution, morphology, ecology, physiology, and behavior of marine mammals.

Earlier editions of this valuable work are considered required reading for all marine biologists concerned with marine mammals, and this text continues that tradition of excellence with updated citations and an expansion of nearly every chapter that includes full color photographs and distribution maps.

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 and an extensive bibliography
Exciting new color photographs and additional distribution maps

About the author

By Annalisa Berta, San Diego State University, California, U.S.A.; James L. Sumich, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA and Kit M. Kovacs, Biodiversity Research Section Leader, Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, Norway, Professor of Biology, The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Svalbard, Norway

Chapter 1. Introduction

1.1. Marine Mammals—“What Are They?¿
1.2. Adaptations for Aquatic Life
1.3. Scope and Use of this Book
1.4. Time Scale
1.5. Early Observations of Marine Mammals
1.6. Emergence of Marine Mammal Science
1.7. Further Reading and Resources

Part 1. Evolutionary History

Chapter 2. Phylogeny, Taxonomy, and Classification

2.1. Introduction: Investigating Evolutionary Histories
2.2. Some Basic Terminology and Concepts
2.3. How Do You Build a Phylogenetic Tree?
2.4. Testing Phylogenetic Hypotheses
2.5. Applying Phylogenies: Elucidating Evolutionary and Ecological Patterns
2.6. Taxonomy and Classification
2.7. Summary and Conclusions
2.8. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 3. Pinniped Evolution and Systematics

3.1. Introduction
3.2. Origin and Evolution
3.3. Summary and Conclusions
3.4. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 4. Cetacean Evolution and Systematics

4.1. Introduction
4.2. Origin and Evolution
4.3. Summary and Conclusions
4.4. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 5. Sirenians and Other Marine Mammals: Evolution and Systematics

5.1. Introduction
5.2. Origin and Evolution of Sirenians
5.3. The Extinct Sirenian Relatives—Desmostylia
5.4. The Extinct Marine Bear-Like Carnivoran, Kolponomos
5.5. The Extinct Aquatic Sloth, Thalassocnus natans
5.6. Marine Otters
5.7. The Polar Bear, Ursus maritimus
5.8. Summary and Conclusions
5.9. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 6. Evolution and Geography

6.1. Introduction
6.2. Species Identity
6.3. Speciation
6.4. Ecological Factors Affecting Distributions of Marine Mammals
6.5. Present Patterns of Distribution
6.6. Reconstructing Biogeographic Patterns
6.7. Past Patterns of Distribution
6.8. Summary and Conclusions
6.9. Further Reading and Resources

Part 2. Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Behavior

Chapter 7. Integumentary and Sensory Systems

7.1. Introduction
7.2. Integumentary System
7.3. Nerves and Sense Organs
7.4. Summary and Conclusions
7.5. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 8. Musculoskeletal System and Locomotion

8.1. Introduction
8.2. Pinnipeds
8.3. Cetaceans
8.4. Sirenians
8.5. Sea Otter
8.6. Polar Bear
8.7. Summary and Conclusions
8.8. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 9. Energetics

9.1. Introduction
9.2. Metabolic Rates
9.3. Thermoregulation
9.4. Energetics of Locomotion
9.5. Osmoregulation
9.6. Summary and Conclusions
9.7. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 10. Respiration and Diving Physiology

10.1. Introduction
10.2. Challenges of Deep and Prolonged Dives for Breath-Holders
10.3. Pulmonary and Circulatory Adaptations to Diving
10.4. Diving Response
10.5. Diving Behavior and Phylogenetic Patterns
10.6. Summary and Conclusions
10.7. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 11. Sound Production for Communication, Echolocation, and Prey Capture

11.1. Introduction
11.2. Sound Propagation in Air and Water
11.3. Anatomy and Physiology of Sound Production and Reception
11.4. Functions of Intentionally Produced Sounds
11.5. Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate and Low-Frequency Military Sonars
11.6. Summary and Conclusions
11.7. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 12. Diet, Foraging Structures, and Strategies

12.1. Introduction
12.2. Seasonal and Geographical Patterns of Prey Abundance
12.3. Adaptations for Foraging in Pinnipeds
12.4. Feeding Specializations of Cetaceans
12.5. Feeding Specializations of Sirenians
12.6. Feeding Specializations of Other Marine Mammals
12.7. Summary and Conclusions
12.8. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 13. Reproductive Structures, Strategies, and Patterns

13.1. Introduction
13.2. Anatomy and Physiology of the Reproductive System
13.3. Mating Systems
13.4. Lactation Strategies
13.5. Reproductive Patterns
13.6. Summary and Conclusions
13.7. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 14. Population Structure and Dynamics

14.1. Introduction
14.2. Abundance and Its Determination in Marine Mammals
14.3. Techniques for Monitoring Populations
14.4. Population Structure and Dynamics
14.5. Summary and Conclusions
14.6. Further Reading and Resources

Part 3. Exploitation, Conservation, and Management

Chapter 15. Exploitation and Conservation

15.1. Introduction
15.2. Exploitation of Marine Mammals
15.3. Marine Mammal Conservation and Protection
15.4. Progress and the Future
15.5. Summary and Conclusions
15.6. Further Reading and Resources

Title Reviews

"...has been fully updated and improves significantly upon the excellent foundations in the 2nd edition. ...I highly recommend this book for students and researchers alike. ...any time I find myself wandering into unknown territory, my first instinct is to grab this volume off my shelf."—Journal of Mammalian Evolution

"...outclasses several other competing works, which tend to showcase marine mammals as special cases instead of focusing on the comparative and historical methods that demonstrate how they evolved…a necessary book for both beginners and experts. Students will find it readable, authoritative, and appealing with its extensive imagery."—The Quarterly Review of Biology

"I highly recommend this book for veterinary students or veterinarians at the start of their careers in marine mammal medicine or research who are looking for a supplemental reference on marine mammal biology."—Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

"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, 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, POLAR RESEARCH

ISBN: 9780123970022

Page Count: 738

Retail Price (USD) :

Richford, Marine Mammals, Sep 1999, 9780120932252, Academic Press, $89.95
Richford, Marine Mammals and Noise, Jun 1998, 9780125884419, Academic Press, $97.95
Richford, Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, Feb 2002, 9780125513401, Academic Press, $200.00

Vertebrate zoologists, mammalogists, marine biologists, and researchers, faculty, and students as well as anyone interested in the natural history, evolution, systematics, and behavior of marine mammals and related disciplines.

Marine Mammals,

Editors: By Annalisa Berta, James L. Sumich and Kit M. Kovacs

Key Features

About the author

Title Reviews

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