The Complete Fauna of Iran

by Eskander Firouz

Overview

Iran is host to some of Asia's most diverse animal wildlife. Its lush Caspian coastline, arid central deserts and fertile plains are the habitat for a vast range of creatures. Eskander Firouz's prize-winning book is the most comprehensive work to date on the fauna of Iran. Indeed it is the only book to cover all of Iran's vertebrate fauna, comprising mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Despite the emergence of a conservation movement in the 1960s and '70s, the last quarter century has witnessed continuing environmental degradation and the destruction of natural habitats in Iran. The position of a number of species unique to Iran, such as the Asiatic cheetah, is critical. More than an invaluable source of scientific knowledge, Eskander Firouz's book also alerts the public to an environmental situation in Iran which is becoming increasingly imperilled.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781850439462
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/14/2005
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.61(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Eskander Firouz, the distinguished Iranian conservationist, is a former Director of the Department of the Environment in Iran. He has been Vice President of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Table of Contents

	Foreword	vi
	Acknowledgements	vii
	The Conventions used in this Book	viii
	The Transliteration System used in this Book	ix
	The Ostans (Provinces) of Iran	x
	Major Drainage Basins of Iran	xi
	Topographic Map of Iran	xii
	Introduction	1
	A Summary of Zoological Work in Iran	3
	Modern Naturalists in Iran	4
	Iran's Wildlife, Past and Present	6
	Large Bags and Records	10
	The Decline of Wildlife	11
	Conservation and Protection	12
	Conferences and the Ramsar Convention	14
	Diversity and Rational Utilization	15
	Irano-Soviet Agreement	17
	Arid Lands Ecology	18
	Environmental Changes and their Impact	18
	The Undoing of Wetlands	22
	The Hur al-Azim Wetland	23
	Iran's Present Network of Reserves	24
	Map of the Reserves of Iran	26
	Marine Reserves	28
	The Land	28
	Physical Geography	29
	Climate	34
	Vegetation	36
	Zoogeography	38
	Faunal Areas	40
	The Fauna of Iran	42
	Thereatened Species	43
	The Maragheh Fossil Finds	43
	Mammals of Iran	45
	Birds of Iran	105
	Reptiles of Iran	193
	Amphibians of Iran	247
	Freshwater Fishes of Iran	257
	Appendix I	291
	Appendix II	297
	Bibliography	299
	Index of Latin Names	306
	Index of English Names	314
	General Index	321
	Picture Credits	322

Editorial Reviews

"This book is the logical starting point for any English-speaker interested in the fauna of Iran, whether an experienced scientist or an ecotraveller contemplating a visit to Iran."—Steven C. Andersen, University of the Pacific

"Firouz's generous contribution to future generations of naturalists is a legacy of inestimable value, and its publication is a fitting recognition of his tireless efforts on behalf of the fauna of his country."—David Challinor, Senior Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian Institute

From the Publisher