In this work, the authors present current research in the study of the phylogeny and evolutionary insights, conservation strategies and role in disease transmission in bats. The topics discussed in this compilation include the role of bats in lyssavirus epidemiology; implications for ecological cognitive psychology of human-bat-interactions; molecular phylogeography and conservation of Chinese Bats; and effects of climate change on the worlds northernmost bat population.

If ever there was a contender for "giant dwarfs" or "the world's biggest dwarf," pygmy elephants are it. Even a five-foot at the shoulder pygmy elephant would still be a massive beast. I wanted to call this work Slightly Smaller Elephants - Possibly but I was persuaded that Pygmy Elephants had a better ring to it. There have in the past - millions to hundreds of thousands of years ago - been smaller species of elephants, well-documented in the fossil record, some of whom we will meet shortly. And there have been claims made for the existence of living pygmy elephants in various remote and not-so-remote parts of the world today.

For centuries, reports of man-eating tigers in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore have circulated, shrouded in myth and anecdote. This fascinating book documents the "big cat"-human relationship in this area during its 350-year colonial period, re-creating a world in which people feared tigers but often came into contact with them, because these fierce predators prefer habitats created by human interference. Peter Boomgaard shows how people and tigers adapted to each other's behavior, each transmitting this learning from one generation to the next. He discusses the origins of stories and rituals about tigers and explains how cultural biases of Europeans and class differences among indigenous populations affected attitudes toward the tigers. He provides figures on their populations in different eras and analyzes the factors contributing to their present status as an endangered species. Interweaving stories about Malay kings, colonial rulers, tiger charmers, and bounty hunters with facts about tigers and their way of life, the book is an engrossing combination of environmental and micro history.

Focusing on the physiological and behavioral factors that enable a species to live in a harsh seasonal environment, this book places the social biology of marmots in an environmental context. It draws on the results of a forty-year empirical study of the population biology of the yellow-bellied marmot near the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in the Upper East River Valley in Colorado, USA. The text examines life-history features such as body-size, habitat use, environmental physiology, social dynamics, and kinship. Considerable new data analyses are integrated with material published over a fifty-year period, including extensive natural history observations, providing an essential foundation for integrating social and population processes. Finally, the results of research into the yellow-bellied marmot are related to major ecological and evolutionary theories, especially inclusive fitness and population regulation, making this a valuable resource for students and researchers in animal behavior, behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, ecology and conservation.

Almost 95 per cent of the world's tiger attacks occur in the Sundarbans forests of the Gangetic delta. More than 1300 poor Indian villagers, mostly fishermen, have been attacked and eaten by tigers since 1964. Greater numbers have died across the border in Bangladesh. Unnecessarily, says Sudipt Dutta in this first detailed, authoritative work on the Sundarbans man-eating tiger. Dutta challenges the conventional blood-thirsty image and given wisdom on these tigers. Ignorance, lack of research, lack of political and bureaucratic will and the silence of the conservation community has permitted these poor people to die horrific deaths. Dutta has gathered unparalleled quantities of data and spent four years studying the swamp forests to redraw our knowledge of the misunderstood Sundarbans tiger. He then identifies the key issues that leads to man-eater attacks and suggests a prescription to encourage conservation of these unique mangrove forests, increase tiger numbers and curb man-eater tiger attacks in the Sundarbans

In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the biology, diet, eating habits and disorders of rabbits. Topics discussed in this volume include the rabbit brain as a model of structural neuroplasticity; a survey on the studies of rabbit prion proteins; the effect of reduced dietary consistency on the fibre properties of rabbit jaw muscles; the use of rabbits to investigate the pathogenesis of disease; the assessment of sperm DNA damage in rabbits using the Halomax assay; nutritional effects of plant oil and seeds in rabbit feeding; and current studies on the aetiology of obstructive dysfunction of the male rabbit urinary bladder.

A comprehensive work intended for anyone maintaining captive bats, Bats in Captivity is the only multi-volume series of its kind, detailing the captive care of bats worldwide. This volume comprises 25 papers by 37 contributing authors. It contains information on the legal aspects of maintaining and shipping bats, plus papers on developing traveling trunks and loan boxes, the use of ultrasonic mobility devices in education programs, conditioning and training bats for public demonstration, their use in outreach programs, and exhibiting bats in zoological institutions. In addition, there is comprehensive information on excluding bats from man-made structures, as well as how bat houses and artificial roosts are constructed and used.

Javelinas and Other Peccaries is certain to be regarded as the definitive source on this family of piglike creatures consisting of three species. Best known in the United States is the javelina, or collared peccary, but the firsthand observations and extensive information provided in this well-illustrated volume, cover all of the species. The javelina extends its range from the southwestern United States to northern Argentina, while the larger white-lipped peccary prefers warmer, moister tropical forests such as from extreme southern Mexico to northern Argentina. The Chacoan, or giant peccary, exists only in a small area known as the Chaco in western Paraguay, northern Argentina, and eastern Bolivia; scientists did not discover this species until 1972. Lyle K. Sowls, who has studied these animals for nearly forty years, examines this family of New World mammals and presents his findings on each species' anatomy and physiology, behavior, reproduction, effects on the environment, diet, reaction to diseases, and habitat. He also includes sonograms of peccary vocalizations representing their social communication. Additionally, Sowls provides a review of management practices, along with recommendations on the management and conservation of peccaries. He suggests that peccaries offer an opportunity for modern wildlife management to help bring better use of forest areas to sustained land use. He reviews the peccaries' importance as a game animal for sport hunters, and includes reports from early explorers and discussion of American Indians' use of the animals. This fully revised book, out of print since 1989, is a useful tool for mammalogists and other wildlife scientists, game specialists, and general readers interested in javelinas in the U.S. Southwest and peccaries throughout the Americas. LYLE K. SOWLS is Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Science in the School of Renewable Natural Resources at the College of Agriculture, University of Arizona.

Second only to humans in adapting to climate extremes, grey wolves once ranged from coast to coast and from Alaska to Mexico in North America. By the early 20th century, government-sponsored predator control programs and declines in prey brought grey wolves to near extinction in 48 states. This book examines the Endangered Species Act as it applies to grey wolves, with a focus on the grey wolf population, recovery, and biology in the United States today.

Mammals in the genus Martes are mid-sized carnivores of great importance to forest ecosystems. This book, the successor to Martens, Sables, and Fishers: Biology and Conservation, provides a scientific basis for management and conservation efforts designed to maintain or enhance the populations and habitats of Martes species throughout the world. The twenty synthesis chapters contained in this book bring together the perspectives and expertise of 63 scientists from twelve countries, and are organized by the five key themes of evolution and biogeography, population biology and management, habitat ecology and management, research techniques, and conservation.

Recent developments in research technologies such as modeling and genetics, biological knowledge about pathogens and parasites, and concerns about the potential effects of global warming on the distribution and status of Martes populations make new syntheses of these areas especially timely. The volume provides an overview of what is known while clarifying initiatives for future research and conservation priorities, and will be of interest to mammalogists, resource managers, applied ecologists, and conservation biologists.

Contributors: Alexei V. Abramov, Russian Academy of Sciences; Jon M. Arnemo, Hedmark University College, Norway; James A. Baldwin, USDA Forest Service; Jeff Bowman, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; Scott M. Brainerd, Alaska Department of Fish and Game; Richard N. Brown, Humboldt State University; Steven W. Buskirk, University of Wyoming; Carlos Carroll, Klamath Center for Conservation Research; Joseph A. Cook, University of New Mexico; Samuel A. Cushman, USDA Forest Service; Natalie G. Dawson, University of Montana; John Fryxell, University of Guelph; Mourad W. Gabriel, Integral Ecology Research Center; Jonathan H. Gilbert, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Evan H. Girvetz, Nature Conservancy; Rebecca A. Green, USDA Forest Service; Daniel J. Harrison, University of Maine; J. Mark Higley, Hoopa Tribal Forestry; Eric P. Hoberg, USDA Agricultural Research Service; Susan S. Hughes, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Neil R. Jordan, Vincent Wildlife Trust; Anson V. A. Koehler, University of Otago; William B. Krohn, University of Maine; Joshua J. Lawler, University of Washington; Jeffrey C. Lewis, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; Eric C. Lofroth, British Columbia Ministry of Environment; Robert A. Long, Montana State University; Paula MacKay, Montana State University; Bruce G. Marcot, USDA Forest Service; Ryuichi Masuda, Hokkaido University; Marina Mergey, Universite de Reims Champagne-Ardenne; Vladimir Monakhov, Russian Academy of Sciences; Takahiro Murakami, Shiretoko Museum; Anne-Mari Mustonen, University of Eastern Finland; Petteri Nieminen, University of Eastern Finland; Cino Pertoldi, Aarhus University; Roger A. Powell, North Carolina State University; Gilbert Proulx, Alpha Wildlife Research & Management Ltd.; Kathryn L. Purcell, USDA Forest Service; Catherine M. Raley, USDA Forest Service; Martin G. Raphael, USDA Forest Service; Luis M. Rosalino, Universidade de Lisboa; Aritz Ruiz-Gonzalez, Universidad del Pais Vasco-Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea; Hugh D. Safford, USDA Forest Service; Margarida Santos-Reis, Universidade de Lisboa; Joel Sauder, Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game;Michael K. Schwartz, USDA Forest Service; Andrew J. Shirk, University of Washington; Keith M. Slauson, USDA Forest Service; Brian G. Slough, Yukon Territory; Wayne D. Spencer, Conservation Biology Institute; Richard A. Sweitzer, University of California, Berkeley; Craig M. Thompson, USDA Forest Service; Ian D. Thompson, Canadian Forest Service; Richard L. Truex, USDA Forest Service; Emilio Virgos, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; Tzeidle N. Wasserman, Northern Arizona University; Greta M. Wengert, Integral Ecology Research Center; J. Scott Yaeger, USDI U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Andrzej Zalewski, Polish Academy of Sciences; William J. Zielinski, USDA Forest Service; Patrick A. Zollner, Purdue University"

Bats are flying mammals in the order Chiroptera. The forelimbs of bats are webbed and developed as wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the biology, behavior and conservation of bats. Topics discussed in this compilation include: chiroptophobia (the fear of bats); the reproductive biology of male bats; bats and rabies in Brazil; postnatal development, wing morphology and flight performance of the short-nosed fruit bat; hematophagous bats; prolonged sperm storage in bats and metabolic adaptations in frugivorous bats.

By whatever measures scientists choose for social intelligence, behavioural resilience of wolves illustrates their adaptations to changing aspects of their environments in the wild and captivity. Intriguing questions about wolves have emerged from studies of life history traits in social carnivores, such as large body size, delayed reproduction, and variable dispersal patterns. In this social context, the rapidly accumulating evidence for behavioural flexibility of wolves is reviewed in terms of learning, communication, problem-solving, and awareness. In this book, the authors present research on the biology, behaviour and conservation of wolves.

This book explores the biology, behaviour and health disorders of dogs. Topics discussed include chronic valve disease in dogs; Canine Leishmaniosis; dogs as the reservoirs and transmitters of the rabies virus; dog bites to the external genitalia in children; understanding the human gaze in dogs; strategies for dog rabies control in Bolivia; diagnosis of Brucella Canis by polymerase chain reaction and a study on cardiac enzymes in heart worm infection in dogs.

B logging has revolutionised the way we communicate our interests and spread news. This book is a compilation of various articles from the blog, Tetrapod Zoology(currently hosted at www.scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology). As of early 2010, Tet Zoo - as it's affectionately known - is in its fifth year. It's become reasonably popular (it has a daily readership of several thousand) and is now well known internationally. Or, it is, at least, among people interested in zoology and in scientific blogging. Welcome to the world of Tet Zoo: mphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals(the tetrapods), living and fossil. Their evolution, ecology, behaviour and biology. Think killer eagles, dinosaurs, giant caimans, mystery cats and lake monsters

This is the seventh book in the Al-the-Gator Series. A science book about animals written by an author who has done personal research on these animals. The book has additional information and other books to learn from. An activity section follows the story.

A comprehensive work intended for anyone maintaining captive bats. Bats in Captivity is the only multi-volume series of its kind, detailing the captive care of bats worldwide. This volume comprises 26 papers by 22 contributing authors. It contains a comprehensive discussion on nutrition, as well as dietary information for bats that eat insects, fruit, nectar, blood, fish and other vertebrates. Other subjects include methods for rearing insects, methods for collecting wild insects, environmental enrichment, roosting ecology, and environment and housing considerations for all bat groups, plus much more.

State of the knowledge overview of identifying wolf tracks and reading the stories left by their trails. Explains how to recognize and identify tracks, correctly measure footprints, and use measurements to judge gender aand. Signs of wolves covered include scat, scent marking, and carcasses are covered. Detailed information covers gait trails and interpreting patterns on the ground. One section compares wolf signs to the signs of coyote, bears, bocats, and cougars which is wrapped up with guidelines for differentiation of wolf signs from coyotes and domestics dogs.