Inspired by true events, this book details first-hand encounters with Australian wildlife in south-east Queensland. While the focus is on free-roaming kangaroos, adorable possums and native birds, other creatures such as lizards as well as an echidna are included in the mix. The reader will find out many interesting facts about marsupials from an evolutionary perspective. Reflecting day-to-day life in modern Australia, it is the aim of this narrative to spread a message of conservation and promote appreciation for the amazing fauna still calling the Great Southern Land home.
Mammals with young that develop in pouches after birth are marsupials, or metatherians. Kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian devils are just a few of the best-known members of this order. Dozens of small, shy, little-known species are found in the Americas and around Australia. The Marsupial Order explores the origins of these mammals and examines their unusual reproductive method, which has unique advantages. In addition, The Marsupial Order discusses the biology, life cycles, and ecological roles of marsupials, as well as current threats to their survival and approaches to conservation. With a survey of the various metatherian suborders and families, The Marsupial Order introduces pouched mammals from wombats to wallabies and beyond. Book jacket.
"Paul S. Martin's innovative ideas on late quaternary extinctions and wildlife restoration have fueled one of science's most stimulating recent debates. He expounds them vividly here, and defends them eloquently. A must-read."—David Rains Wallace, author of Beasts of Eden "This is a marvelous read, by a giant in American prehistory, about one of the greatest mysteries in the earth sciences."—Tim Flannery, author of The Eternal Frontier "Whether or not you agree with Paul Martin, he has shaped how we think about our Pleistocene ancestors and their role in transforming this planet."—Ross D. E. MacPhee, Curator of Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History
The Biology of Marsupials is a compilation and analysis of the research conducted on New World marsupials that covers both Australian and didelphid marsupials. It is organized into nine chapters that aim to bring scientific community the information available on certain aspects of marsupial biology. After presenting data on karyotypes, comparative serology, classification, and phylogenetic inferences of marsupials, this book goes on discussing the organism's chromosomes, cell cycles, and cytogenetics. A chapter covers the ecological strategies and adaptations of marsupial family, particularly, of the Didelphis virginiana. Another chapter discusses marsupial neurology; evidence of commonalities with eutherian nervous systems; distinctive features peculiar to the marsupial subclass; and neural specialization identification of particular genera and species in this subclass. The following chapter describes the plasticity, variability, and generability of the behavior patterns of marsupials. This book also describes the anatomy and histologic, embryologic, and gerontologic observations of Marmosa robinsoni. The concluding chapters discuss diseases of both American and Australasian marsupials based on zoological, wildlife, parasitological, and veterinary medical studies. Supplemental texts are also provided. This book is ideal for researchers in the fields of developmental anatomy, immunology, neurology, and many aspects of comparative medicine and behavior.
This 2006 book examines the exciting discoveries in the study of marsupials of the last 20 years. These discoveries have led to significant developments in our understanding of this unique group of mammals. The impact of these developments have been such that marsupials are coming to be seen as model organisms in studies of life history evolution, ageing and senescence, sex determination and the development and regeneration of the nervous system. This volume brings together information scattered throughout the primary literature. Coverage includes evolutionary history and management strategies as well as all aspects of basic biology. A complete listing of known species and a comprehensive list of references make this a unique repository of information on this fascinating group of animals.
This book focuses on the evolution, biogeography, systematics, taxonomy, and ecology of New World and Australasian marsupials, greatly expanding the current knowledge base. There are roughly 140 species of New World marsupials, of which the opossum is the best known. Thanks to recent research, there is now an increasing amount of understanding about their evolution, biogeography, systematics, ecology, and conservation in the Americas, especially in South America. There are also some 270 marsupial species in the Australasian region, many of which have been subject to research only in recent years. Based on this information and the authors’ extensive research, this book provides comprehensive insights into the world's marsupials. It will appeal to academics and specialized researchers, students of zoology, paleontology, evolutionary biology, ecology, physiology and conservation as well as interested non-experts.
Discover the lifestyles, habitats, and behaviors of the animal kingdom as you’ve never seen them before with The Encyclopedia of Animals. Each page of this comprehensive guide is packed with amazingly detailed artworks and full-color photographs. From the flying squirrel to the yellow-bellied sapsucker, and from the fire ant to the sun bear, animals are seen in all their splendid variety in this fascinating visual guide. Divided by class and family, the sections in this book clarify the distinguishing traits of the animals, which are depicted in colorful scientific drawings; captions provide additional information. User-friendly and with the sections marked by color tabs for quick consultation, this book could serve as a field guide or a desk reference. Shown in all their glory, here are the gulper eel, the blue wildebeest, the giant African bullfrog, the Sumatran Orangutan, the Chilean flamingo, and the tiny but terrifying anglerfish. Many of the book's images show the animals in their natural environment and behaving as they would in the wild. An orangutan is shown swinging from a branch, a bird-of-paradise is illustrated during a courtship display, and hyenas are depicted in pursuit of zebra prey. Map icons illustrate the animal’s distribution around the world, while key fact boxes highlight features of the animal’s anatomy, diet, and genus. Learn more about your favorite species, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals, with expert information and up-to-date population statistics throughout. User-friendly and accessible, this is the perfect modern encyclopedia for animal enthusiasts of all ages.
