Mammal Species of the World

Mammal Species of the World PDF

Author: Don E. Wilson

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 2201

ISBN-13: 0801882214

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This indispensable reference work belongs in public and academic libraries throughout the world and on the shelf of every biologist who works with mammals.

Mammalian Diversification

Mammalian Diversification PDF

Author: Eileen A. Lacey

Publisher: Univ of California Press

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 402

ISBN-13: 9780520098534

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Fourteen chapters by colleagues and former students celebrating the career of James L. Patton, the emeritus curator of mammals at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. All the papers deal with mammalian evolution.

Life Underground

Life Underground PDF

Author: Eileen A. Lacey

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2000-09

Total Pages: 470

ISBN-13: 9780226467283

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Many mammals like to dig in the dirt, but few call it home. Those that do, such as mole-rats, zokors, and tuco-tucos, have developed novel adaptations to their subterranean life, including bones and muscles modified for efficient digging and ways to "see" underground without using their eyes. These unusual traits, adopted independently by unrelated groups around the world, also make subterranean rodents fascinating subjects for biologists. Life Underground provides the first comprehensive review of the biology of subterranean rodents. Arranged by topic rather than by taxon to facilitate cross-species comparisons, chapters cover such subjects as morphology, physiology, social behavior, genetic variation, and evolutionary diversification. Two main questions run throughout the book. First, to what extent has subterranean life shaped the biology of these animals, leading to similar adaptations among otherwise dissimilar species? Second, how have the distinct evolutionary histories of these groups led to different solutions to the challenges posed by life underground?

Subterranean Rodents

Subterranean Rodents PDF

Author: Sabine Begall

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2007-06-12

Total Pages: 392

ISBN-13: 3540692762

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Subterranean Rodents presents achievements from recent years of research on these rodents, divided into five sections: ecophysiology; sensory ecology; life histories, behavioural ecology and demography; environmental and economical impact; molecular ecology and evolution. It is a must for all researchers working in this field and will be of interest to zoologists, physiologists, morphologists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists.

Estimating Species Trees

Estimating Species Trees PDF

Author: L. Lacey Knowles

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons

Published: 2011-05-09

Total Pages: 230

ISBN-13: 1118126025

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Recent computational and modeling advances have produced methods for estimating species trees directly, avoiding the problems and limitations of the traditional phylogenetic paradigm where an estimated gene tree is equated with the history of species divergence. The overarching goal of the volume is to increase the visibility and use of these new methods by the entire phylogenetic community by specifically addressing several challenges: (i) firm understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the methodology, (ii) empirical examples demonstrating the utility of the methodology as well as its limitations, and (iii) attention to technical aspects involved in the actual software implementation of the methodology. As such, this volume will not only be poised to become the quintessential guide to training the next generation of researchers, but it will also be instrumental in ushering in a new phylogenetic paradigm for the 21st century.

Alien Species and Evolution

Alien Species and Evolution PDF

Author: George W. Cox

Publisher: Island Press

Published: 2013-04-10

Total Pages: 400

ISBN-13: 1597268356

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In Alien Species and Evolution, biologist George W. Cox reviews and synthesizes emerging information on the evolutionary changes that occur in plants, animals, and microbial organisms when they colonize new geographical areas, and on the evolutionary responses of the native species with which alien species interact. The book is broad in scope, exploring information across a wide variety of taxonomic groups, trophic levels, and geographic areas. It examines theoretical topics related to rapid evolutionary change and supports the emerging concept that species introduced to new physical and biotic environments are particularly prone to rapid evolution. The author draws on examples from all parts of the world and all major ecosystem types, and the variety of examples used gives considerable insight into the patterns of evolution that are likely to result from the massive introduction of species to new geographic regions that is currently occurring around the globe. Alien Species and Evolution is the only state-of-the-art review and synthesis available of this critically important topic, and is an essential work for anyone concerned with the new science of invasion biology or the threats posed by invasive species.

Ecological Genetics

Ecological Genetics PDF

Author: Leslie Real

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2017-03-14

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 1400887267

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This volume represents work by five distinguished ecological geneticists, offering an up-to-date source for theoretical concepts and experiments in an exciting field. Combining ecological fieldwork and laboratory genetics, ecological genetics examines the adjustments and adaptations of wild populations to their environments. Articles focus on important interactions between genetics and population ecology, delving into issues like gene flow and migration, population differentiation, the maintenance of genetic variation, and the demographic and spatial structure of populations. The contributors--Janis Antonovics, Michael Lynch, Montgomery Slatkin, Joseph Travis, and Sara Via--emphasize the importance of population size and structure, interaction between local selection and genetic drift, and an expanded phenotype including quantitative as well as qualitative characters. This new form of ecological genetics focuses on large-scale geographic variation in demographic and genetic dynamics among small, partially isolated populations and will prove extremely valuable in natural resource management and in rare or endangered species conservation. Originally published in 1994. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Species Survival in Fragmented Landscapes

Species Survival in Fragmented Landscapes PDF

Author: J. Settele

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 670

ISBN-13: 940090343X

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The effects of isolation, area size, and habitat quality on the survival of animal and plant populations in the cultural landscape are central aspects of a research project started in Germany in 1993 (,Forschungsverbund, Isolation, FHichengroBe und BiotopquaIiHit', abbreviated to 'FIFB'). After a long period of preparation, scientists from seven univer sities and one research institution started to work within the frame of this project. Fund ing for four years was provided by the former German Federal Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFT), now the Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). A strong focus of the project has been the improvement of the methodology for environmental impact assessments and the implementation of results into environmental planning. As there is a certain risk that national projects develop some kind of 'mental in breeding', it was decided to discuss concepts, methods, and first results with scientists of international reputation at a rather early stage of the project. For this purpose, an inter national workshop was held in the small village of Lubast, north of Leipzig (state of Saxony) in March 1995. 130 scientists from 10 nations met to discuss and debate issues surrounding habitat fragmentation for three days. Papers presented there formed the basis for this book. As discussions included general reviews as well as particular case studies, we decided to structure this book in a similar way. Consequently, a combination of broad and more general, review-like papers as well as original papers are presented.