Publisher's Synopsis
Mammalogy is the study of mammals from the diverse biological viewpoints of structure, function, evolutionary history, behavior, ecology, classification, and economics. Thoroughly updated, the Sixth Edition of Mammalogy explains and clarifies the subject as a unified whole. The text begins by defining mammals and summarizing their origins. It moves on to discuss the orders and families of mammals with comprehensive coverage on the fossil history, current distribution, morphological characteristics, and basic behavior and ecology of each family of mammals. The third part of the text progresses to discuss special topics such as mammalian echolocation, physiology, behavior, ecology, and zoogeography. The text concludes with two additional chapters, previously available online, that cover mammalian domestication and mammalian disease and zoonoses. New to the Sixth Edition: -Chapters 27 and 28 are included within the text. -Includes new thought-provoking boxes throughout to illuminate current mammalian topics, including platypus electroreception, the origin of Eutherians, terrestrial pollination syndrome, Echidna reproductive anatomy, and many more. -New and updated discussions in the sixth edition include, information on Philodotans, new research about the Miocene Era, new information about the pygmy sperm whale and the Family Iniidae, new information on suborder Odontoceti, updated information about the evolution of strepsirrhine primates, updated statitistics on rabies and lyme disease, and more. -Contains many new photographs and drawings throughout to further clarify key material. -The extensively revised Sixth Edition presents a more thorough use of phylogenetically based mammalian relationships to reflect the recent extraordinary activity in mammalian biology. -Provides additional pedagogical resources to aid in comprehension, including chapter summaries, bolded key terms, and a list of useful books and journal articles for further exploration of key topics located at the end of each chapter. -Accompanied by a full suite of instructor ancillaries, including PowerPoint Lecture Outlines, PowerPoint Image Bank, and Discussion Questions.
