Recent advances in the study of bats have changed the way we understand this illusive group of mammals. This volume consist of 25 chapters and 57 authors from around the globe all writing on the most recent finding on the evolution, ecology and conservation of bats. The chapters in this book are not intended to be exhaustive literature reviews, but instead extended manuscripts that bring new and fresh perspectives. Many chapters consist of previously unpublished data and are repetitive of new insights and understanding in bat evolution, ecology and conservation. All chapters were peer-reviewed and revised by the authors. Many of the chapters are multi-authored to provide comprehensive and authoritative coverage of the topics.

Images and accounts of the Mexican--US migration process and the border region abound. Representations of border crossers, plans for the construction of a security fence, the shifting economic relationship between the US and its southern neighbors, and the changing character of the Rio Grande area have played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary political discourse. "The Politics, Economics, and Culture of Mexican-US Migration," which has attracted contributors from four different countries, offers multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary evaluations of these developments. It also considers the impact of migration in both the US and Mexico. Some of the contributions are case-studies, while others have a broad 'survey' character. All place the current debate about migration and the changing nature of the north American continent within its wider context in a way that is of relevance and interest to both the specialist and the more general reader.

Images and accounts of the Mexican - US migration process and the border region abound. Representations of border crossers, plans for the construction of a security fence, the shifting economic relationship between the US and its southern neighbors, and the changing character of the Rio Grande area have played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary political discourse. The Politics, Economics, and Culture of Mexican-US Migration, which has attracted contributors from four different countries, offers multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary evaluations of these developments. It also considers the impact of migration in both the US and Mexico. Some of the contributions are case-studies, while others have a broad 'survey' character. All place the current debate about migration and the changing nature of the north American continent within its wider context in a way that is of relevance and interest to both the specialist and the more general reader.

The study of animal development has deep historical roots in codifying the field of evolutionary biology. In the 1940s, evolutionary theory became engulfed by microevolutionary genetic analysis and development became focused on mechanisms, forsaking the evolutionary implications of ontogeny. Recently, ontogeny has resurfaced as a significant component of evolutionary change, population, and community dynamics. Ontogeny, Functional Ecology and Evolution of Bats is a unique reference work by bat biologists who emphasize the importance of understanding ontogeny in the analysis of evolution and ecology. In addition, the developmental underpinnings of specialized morphology, physiology, and behavior are elucidated, and the strong influence of ecology on the ontological niche of juvenile bats is illustrated. This book is an essential reference for bat biologists, and all those working in the fields of ecology, developmental biology, evolution, behavior, and systematics.

The study of animal development has deep historical roots in codifying the field of evolutionary biology. In the 1940s evolutionary theory became engulfed by analyses of microevolutionary genetics and development became focused on mechanisms, forsaking the evolutionary implications of ontogeny. Recently, ontogeny has resurfaced as a significant component of evolutionary change and also of population and community dynamics. Ontogeny, Functional Ecology and Evolution of Bats is a reference work by bat biologists who emphasize the importance of understanding ontogeny in analyses of evolution and ecology. In addition, the developmental underpinnings of specialized morphology, physiology and behaviour are elucidated, and the strong influence of ecology on the ontological niche of juvenile bats is illustrated. This book is an essential reference, not only for bat biologists, but for anyone working in the fields of ecology, developmental biology, evolution, behaviour and systematics.

Recent advances in the study of bats have changed the way we understand this illusive group of mammals. This volume consist of 25 chapters and 57 authors from around the globe all writing on the most recent finding on the evolution, ecology and conservation of bats. The chapters in this book are not intended to be exhaustive literature reviews, but instead extended manuscripts that bring new and fresh perspectives. Many chapters consist of previously unpublished data and are repetitive of new insights and understanding in bat evolution, ecology and conservation. All chapters were peer-reviewed and revised by the authors. Many of the chapters are multi-authored to provide comprehensive and authoritative coverage of the topics.

The impetus behind my book is simple. As the title implies, the word 'nostalgia' is a longing for the past, a longing for a simpler way of life. Since we, as humans, long for things that have been either lost or in disrepair, nostalgia remains a hollow term with diminished returns. But, I suggest that these desires for simplicity have a didactic purpose that transcends the very fabric of our society: nostalgia helps remind us of what we still have in the now and encourages us to cherish those entities that are easily taken for granted. How does one begin to derive this simplicity from a society steeped in the complexities of technological advancement? In order to answer this question, I suggest that we go back to our primitive upbringings in nature's womb. Here, the naturally sculpted 'womb' serves as the vehicle for caring and compassion, a place where life draws upon the nourishment Mother Nature affords. If we are to confront the world's problems and become part of the solution, we must do so in a spirit of the moment, out of a love for listening and the goodness of hope and humanity. Book includes 50 poems, 28 B and W pictures and 7 chapters covering: .spiders, butterflies, bees and ants .birds, moose and squirrels .trees, streams, rain and the sun .catching a cold, sleeping, winter and the week .death and artists and criteques about progress and this planet .