Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology

by Annalisa Berta, James L. Sumich, Kit M. Kovacs

Overview

Berta and Sumich have succeeded yet again in creating superior marine reading! This book is a succinct yet comprehensive text devoted to the systematics, evolution, morphology, ecology, physiology, and behavior of marine mammals. The first edition, considered the leading text in the field, is required reading for all marine biologists concerned with marine mammals. Revisions include updates of citations, expansion of nearly every chapter and full color photographs. This title continues the tradition by fully expanding and updating nearly all chapters. - 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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780080489346
Publisher:	Elsevier Science & Technology Books
Publication date:	12/14/2005
Series:	Marine Mammals Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	560
File size:	30 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Annalisa Berta is Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology at San Diego State University, San Diego, California and a Research Associate at the San Diego Natural History Museum in San Diego, California and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. She is an evolutionary biologist who for the last 30 years has been studying the anatomy, evolution and systematics of fossil and living marine mammals, especially pinnipeds and whales. She is a past President of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology and former Senior Editor of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology and Associate Editor of Marine Mammal Science. She has written 100 scientific papers and several books for the specialist as well as non-scientist including Return to the Sea: The Life and Evolutionary Times of Marine Mammals, 2012, (University of California Press) and the forthcoming book (summer, 2015) Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises: a natural history and species guide (University of Chicago Press).James Sumich is Professor Emeritus of Biology at Grossmont College and is the author of a popular book on gray whales. He has conducted research on gray whales from British Columbia to Baja California for four decades and has taught marine mammal course for nearly that long. His research has focused on the ecological physiology of baleen whales, especially the energetics of their seasonal fasting migrations.Kit M. Kovacs is the Biodiversity Research Program Leader for the Norwegian Polar Institute in Tromsø Norway and a Professor of Biology at University Studies on Svalbard (UNIS). She has worked with marine mammals in Polar Regions for the past 30 years, focusing primarily on studies in the fields of behavioral ecology and population biology. The impact of climate change on ice-associated species has been a topic of principal concern in recent years in her research projects. She is author/co-author of more than 200 primary publications and the author/editor of ten books and numerous popular articles.

Table of Contents

PART I: EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY Systematics and Classification Pinniped Evolution and Systematics Cetacean Evolution and Systematics Sirenians and Other Marine Mammals:Evolution and Systematics Evolutionary Biogeography PART II: EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND BEHAVIOR Integumentary and Sensory Systems Musculoskeletal System and Locomotion Energetics Respiration and Diving Physiology Sound Production for Communication, Echolocation, and Prey CaptureDiet, Foraging Structures, and StrategiesReproductive Structures, Strategies, and Patterns Population Structure and Population Dynamics Conservation and Protection References Appendix: Classification of Marine Mammals Glossary Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

The must-have reference on marine mammals

Editorial Reviews

Designed both as an advanced text and as a reference for professionals, this book employs a comparative phylogenic approach to marine mammal diversity. By establishing an evolutionary framework for the principal lineages, it provides a phylogenic context for chapters on major organ systems, diving physiology, diet, sound production and echolocation, reproductive behavior, and conservation. Berta teaches biology at San Diego State University. Sumich teaches biology at Grossmont College. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

There 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, such as that on the phylogenetic relationships within and among cetaceans.
— Nature Magazine

Axel Meyer

"...successfully highlights the current state of knowledge on the diverse assemblage of mammals that utilise the marine environment. These authors have combined their expertise to produce a comprehensive treatise....an excellent textbook for advanced courses in marine mammalogy. Indeed, all scientists and students who study marine mammals should read it...the book’s major strength lies in the sections on the anatomy and physiology of marine mammals. The early chapters on evolution and systematics of the three primary groups of marine mammals (pinnipeds, cetaceans and sirenians) are highly detailed with respect to anatomical features...This book is an important resource and it should not be merely viewed as a classroom textbook. It contains a wealth of information. In addition to the biological aspects of marine mammals, the book also provides the history of exploitation and political attempts to manage and regulate hunting. Even though this review is presented in an unbiased manner, the conclusions are that current practices of overfishing may lead in the end to the demise of a number of species. Berta, Sumich and Kovacs present a hopeful plea that we can make future political decisions based on a sense of stewardship of the oceans and its inhabitants." —Frank E. Fish, Department of Biology, West Chester University in ANIMAL BIOLOGY "...Berta et al have provided us with a crucial resource spanning many disparate research venues...Each chapter provides extensive references for further research. In the appendix are listed the living species (as discussed in the book) with information such as diagnosis, definition, distribution, fossil history and content. A glossary, a substantial index and several pages of color photos completes the rest of the book...certainly, this book is appropriate for any academic library supporting marine science, marine ecology, environmental science, evolutionary biology and similar programs." —Peggy Dominy in E-STREAMS "This update to the original version of this basic book originally published in 1999 is highly welcome...the authors succeed again in presenting a book that is simultaneously challenging and easily readable for students. The strength of the book is its integrative presentation of adaptiveness to the marine environment (e.g. in terms of anatomy, physiology, behaviour and ecology, all in an explicit phylogenetic context) as opposed to isolated tales of evolutionary adaptations. As such, the reader can always follow functional aspects of convergent evolution in the various non-related marine-mammal groups. Consequentially, the book starts with a (classical) introduction to phylogenetic systematics in general followed by specific chapters on pinniped, cetacean and sirenian evolution and systematics. Different and even highly contradicting views of the relationships of each group are clearly presented, and the authors do an excellent job (especially for students) of not trying to conceal these disagreements, but instead in leaving the discussion open. Part I finishes with an especially nice chapter on 'evolutionary biogeography'.

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, in JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH

From the Publisher