Some of the world's most beautiful, intelligent and highly adapted mammals inhabit our seas and oceans, and have stirred the human imagination for many centuries. As our knowledge of marine mammals grows, the need exists for a reliable and complete reference to the ecology and biology of these fascinating creatures. The
Handbook of Marine Mammals series was founded with this in mind and now reaches its conclusion with this sixth and final volume. Within the pages of this classic series, scientists, conservationists and informed layperson alike can find the definitive review of all the world's whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and related species as well as sea otters and sea cows.
Volume 6 covers the remaining dolphins and porpoises in a series of 17 chapters, each written by a specialist author with extensive personal research experience of the species. Each chapter provides a description of the species, and includes sections on the aspects of distribution and abundance, anatomy, physiology, behavior, reproduction, parasites and diseases and the impact of human activity on the animal's population and well-being. Numerous maps, photos and drawings illustrate the text.
- Concludes this major definitive series
- A standard reference work on all of the world's marine mammals, their anatomy, distribution, ecology, and behavior
- The most up-to-date research in a concise reference form
- Numerous photos of live and specimen animals, skulls, and anatomical details, plus distribution maps
- Text specifically deals with conservation and management issues
Some of the world's most beautiful, intelligent and highly adapted mammals inhabit our seas and oceans, and have stirred the human imagination over many centuries. As our interest in and knowledge of marine mammals has grown, so a need has grown for a reliable and complete reference to the ecology and biology of these fascinating creatures. The Handbook of Marine Mammals series was founded with this in mind and now reaches its conclusion with this sixth and final volume. Within the pages of this classic series, scientists, conservationists and informed layperson alike can find the definitive review of all the world's whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and related species as well as the sea otter and sea cows. Volume 6 covers the remaining dolphins and porpoises in a series of 17 chapters, each written by a specialist author with extensive personal research experience of the species concerned and drawing on both the published literature and their own observations at sea.
A description of each species is followed by sections on all aspects of distribution and abundance, anatomy, physiology, behaviour, reproduction, parasites and diseases, and the impact of human activity on the animal's population and well-being. Numerous maps, photos and drawings illustrate the text.
As the effects of human intrusion and marine pollution become ever more severe, a detailed knowledge of marine mammal ecology becomes ever more important. Overfishing, the unintentional killing of dolphins and porpoises through extensive and mechanised fishing methods, and chemical and noise pollution of the seas place more and more strain on already beleaguered marine mammal populations - problems that can only be solved by applying the results of research to constructive management and conservation measures.
The editors, authors and publishers hope that this monumental series will do much to educate and inform, and to provide a firm basis for the continued existence of these most special of creatures.
