Mammals of Africa: Volumes I-VI - Hardcover

Kingdon, Jonathan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 140812257X ISBN 13: 9781408122570

Publisher: Bloomsbury Natural History, 2013

Synopsis

Mammals of Africa (MoA) is a series of six volumes which describes, in detail, every currently recognized species of African land mammal. This is the first time that such extensive coverage has ever been attempted, and the volumes incorporate the very latest information and detailed discussion of the morphology, distribution, biology and evolution (including reference to fossil and molecular data) of Africa's mammals. With 1,160 species and 16 orders, Africa has the greatest diversity and abundance of mammals in the world. The reasons for this and the mechanisms behind their evolution are given special attention in the series.
Each volume follows the same format, with detailed profiles of every species and higher taxa. The series includes some 660 colour illustrations by Jonathan Kingdon and his many drawings highlight details of morphology and behaviour of the species concerned. Diagrams, schematic details and line drawings of skulls and jaws are by Jonathan Kingdon and Meredith Happold. Every species also includes a detailed distribution map. Extensive references alert readers to more detailed information.
Volume I: Introductory Chapters and Afrotheria (352 pages)
Volume II: Primates (560 pages)
Volume III: Rodents, Hares and Rabbits (784 pages)
Volume IV: Hedgehogs, Shrews and Bats (800 pages)
Volume V: Carnivores, Pangolins, Equids and Rhinoceroses (560 pages)
Volume VI: Hippopotamuses, Pigs, Deer, Giraffe and Bovids (704 pages)

About this title

About the Author:

Jonathan Kingdon was born in Tanzania and has spent much of his life in Africa. Over the course of a long career he has achieved acclaim as both a leading academic and a prominent artist. David Happold has held academic positions at the University of Khartoum (Sudan), University of Ibadan (Nigeria), University of Malawi, and The Australian National University. Tom Butynski is a conservationist and ecologist who has worked in Africa for 35 years, mostly in Botswana, Kenya, Uganda and Equatorial Guinea. Mike Hoffmann trained as a mammalogist at the University of Pretoria, South Africa and the University of Oxford, UK. He has since moved into the field of international biodiversity conservation. Meredith Happold spent several years studying bats in Nigeria. Since 1977 she has held a Visiting Fellowship at the Australian National University and her research has focused on African bats. Jan Kalina is a conservation biologist. Her work with mammals began at Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo in New York and at Colorado State University. She is currently joint-owner of Soita Nyiro Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya.

From Booklist:

Fifteen years in the making, this specialized six-volume set offers descriptions of every single currently recognized species of mammal found in Africa—more than 1,160 species. Edited by an international team of experts and headed up by noted conservationist and illustrator Kingdon, the work includes 660 color illustrations and 2,000 line drawings. The information collected here demonstrates the diversity of Africa’s mammals; summarizes the ecology, behavior, and conservation status of each species; and serves as a guide to identification. Volume I: Introductory Chapters and Afrotheria covers mammals with common ancestries, including elephants, aardvarks, and shrews. This volume also offers chapters on African mammals in general, the geology and geography of the continent, Africa’s ecological history, evolution, and classification. The rest of the set is comprised of Volume II: Primates; Volume III: Rodents, Hares and Rabbits; Volume IV: Hedgehogs, Shrews and Bats; Volume V: Carnivores, Pangolins, Equids and Rhinoceroses; and Volume VI: Pigs, Hippopotamuses, Chevrotain, Giraffes, Deer and Bovids. The scientific name for each species is given as well as the vernacular names in English, French, and German. A physical description follows, as does detailed information regarding geographic variations, similar species, distribution, social and reproductive behavior, and habitat. Each volume ends with a glossary, bibliography, and volume index. No other reference work comes close to the scope of this set—most guides are regional and contain far less content. This incredibly detailed work is recommended for academic libraries supporting zoology programs and large public research libraries. --Rebecca Vnuk

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Natural History
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 140812257X
• ISBN 13: 9781408122570
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 6