Mammals of the South-West Pacific

Islands are special because they promote unique forms of life, and large proportions of the species they hold are found nowhere else on Earth. The mammals of the South-west Pacific are no exception, with many distributed only across single islands or archipelagos.

Mammals of the South-west Pacific details the natural history for more than 180 species of marsupials, bats and rodents from 24 Pacific nations and territories. Species profiles are accompanied by distribution maps, illustrations and photographs – many being the first images ever captured for the species. By combining available knowledge with unpublished data collected over years of field work, Mammals of the South-west Pacific forms a definitive guide to the mammals from this region.

Tyrone Lavery is a mammologist. He was first drawn to the South-west Pacific by a desire to search for undescribed species. He has studied many of its rare and unique mammals, discovering how they are related, where they occur and the threats they are facing. Tyrone endeavours to support Pacific Island communities through this research.

Tim Flannery is a palaeontologist, explorer and conservationist. From the late 1980s, Tim’s focus shifted towards the living mammals of Melanesia and the Pacific Islands. In 1995 he published comprehensive works on the biologically rich regions of New Guinea and the Pacific. Tim maintains a role in Pacific Island conservation efforts today via relationships with organisations and communities in Melanesia.