Mammals, our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, are a source of fascination and wonder. Some are the epitome of beauty and grace, others display extraordinary intelligence and have highly developed social system, and yet more seem to us bizarre in appearance and behaviour. This thoroughly illustrated title is designed to provide encyclopaedic information in easy, simple, clear and lucid language for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Effects have also been made to give an upto date over view of our knowledge of the once-scent lives of mammals.

This thorough revision of the classic Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals brings this authoritative book right up-to-date. Articles describe every species in detail, based on the very latest taxonomy, and a host of biological, ecological and sociological aspects relating to marine mammals. The latest information on the biology, ecology, anatomy, behavior and interactions with man is provided by a cast of expert authors – all presented in such detail and clarity to support both marine mammal specialists and the serious naturalist. Fully referenced throughout and with a fresh selection of the best color photographs available, the long-awaited second edition remains at the forefront as the go-to reference on marine mammals. - More than 20% NEW MATERIAL includes articles on Climate Change, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Sociobiology, Habitat Use, Feeding Morphology and more - Over 260 articles on the individual species with topics ranging from anatomy and behavior, to conservation, exploitation and the impact of global climate change on marine mammals - New color illustrations show every species and document topical articles FROM THE FIRST EDITION "This book is so good...a bargain, full of riches...packed with fascinating up to date information. I recommend it unreservedly it to individuals, students, and researchers, as well as libraries." --Richard M. Laws, MARINE MAMMALS SCIENCE "...establishes a solid and satisfying foundation for current study and future exploration" --Ronald J. Shusterman, SCIENCE

Genetic factors are increasingly presented as an important influence on psychiatric disorders, personality, intelligence, and various types of socially unacceptable behavior OCo as if that were an unassailable fact, proven by research. Jay JosephOCOs timely,"

This book provides a resource of current understandings about various aspects of the biology of spermatogonia in mammals. Considering that covering the entire gamut of all things spermatogonia is a difficult task, specific topics were selected to provide foundational information that will be useful for seasoned researchers in the field of germ cell biology as well as investigators entering the area. Looking to the future, the editors predict that the foundational information provided in this book -- combined with the advent of new tools and budding interests in use of non-rodent mammalian models -- will produce another major advance in knowledge regarding the biology of spermatogonia over the next decade. In particular, we anticipate that the core molecular machinery driving different spermatogonial states in most, if not all, mammals will be described fully, the extrinsic signals emanating from somatic support cell populations to influence spermatogonial functions will become fully known, and the capacity to derive long-term cultures of SSCs and transplant the population to regenerate spermatogenesis and fertility will become a reality for higher order mammals.

Biology of Animals originated as a textbook intended for the beginning college student, regardless of background, seeking a general knowledge of the nature and functioning of animals and of the biosphere in which they live. -- Preface.