Separated from the mainland of Africa for 160 million years, Madagascar has evolved an incredible wealth of biodiversity, with thousands of species that can be found nowhere else on earth. For instance, of its estimated 12,000 plant species, nearly 10,000 are unique to Madagascar. Malagasy animals are just as spectacular, from its almost forty currently recognized species of lemurs—a primate group found only here—to the numerous species of tiny dwarf chameleons. With astounding frequency scientists discover a previously unknown species in Madagascar—and at almost the same rate another natural area of habitat is degraded or destroyed, a combination that recently led conservation organizations to name Madagascar one of the most important and threatened conservation priorities on the planet.
The Natural History of Madagascar provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis available of this island nation's priceless biological treasures. Contributions by nearly three hundred world-renowned experts cover the history of scientific exploration in Madagascar, its geology and soils, climate, forest ecology, human ecology, marine and coastal ecosystems, plants, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Detailed discussions of conservation efforts in Madagascar highlight several successful park reserve programs that could serve as models for other areas. Beautifully illustrated throughout, the book includes over one hundred color illustrations, with fifty color photos by nature photographer Harald Schütz, as well as more than three hundred black-and-white photographs and line drawings.
The Natural History of Madagascar will be the invaluable reference for anyone interested in the Malagasy environment, from biologists and conservationists to policymakers and ecotourists.
More Reviews and Recommendations Biography
Steven M. Goodman is a field biologist at the Field Museum of Natural History and a coordinator of the ecology training program at the WWF-Madagascar. He is coeditor of Natural Changes and Human Impact in Madagascar.
Jonathan P. Benstead is a postdoctoral scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole. More About the Author Editorial Reviews - The Natural History of Madagascar From the Publisher
Separated from the mainland of Africa for 160 million years, Madagascar has evolved an incredible wealth of biodiversity, with thousands of species that can be found nowhere else on earth. For instance, of its estimated 12,000 plant species, nearly 10,000 are unique to Madagascar. Malagasy animals are just as spectacular, from its almost forty currently recognized species of lemurs—a primate group found only here—to the numerous species of tiny dwarf chameleons. With astounding frequency scientists discover a previously unknown species in Madagascar—and at almost the same rate another natural area of habitat is degraded or destroyed, a combination that recently led conservation organizations to name Madagascar one of the most important and threatened conservation priorities on the planet.
The Natural History of Madagascar provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis available of this island nation's priceless biological treasures. Contributions by nearly three hundred world-renowned experts cover the history of scientific exploration in Madagascar, its geology and soils, climate, forest ecology, human ecology, marine and coastal ecosystems, plants, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Detailed discussions of conservation efforts in Madagascar highlight several successful park reserve programs that could serve as models for other areas. Beautifully illustrated throughout, the book includes over one hundred color illustrations, with fifty color photos by nature photographer Harald Schütz, as well as more than three hundred black-and-white photographs and line drawings.
The Natural History ofMadagascar will be the invaluable reference for anyone interested in the Malagasy environment, from biologists and conservationists to policymakers and ecotourists.
“For those who are serious about getting to know this fascinating island, there is no better resource.”—Tim Flannery, Nature
“A magnificent overview of one of the strangest and most glorious chunks of the planet.”—Adrian Barnett, New Scientist
“A scientific milestone and by far the largest synthesis of tropical biology research ever.”—Science
Loading... Features - The Natural History of Madagascar Table of Contents Table of Contents ForewordPrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbbreviations and Acronyms Used in the TextPoints on Format and Presentation1History of Scientific Exploration1The History of Zoological Exploration of Madagascar12Geology and Soils16Some Hypotheses on the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Paleoenvironmental History of Madagascar16Mesozoic Terrestrial Vertebrate Faunas: The Early History of Madagascar's Vertebrate Diversity34Late Cretaceous Vertebrates of Madagascar: A Window into Gondwanan Biogeography at the End of the Age of Dinosaurs40Madagascar's Prehistoric Ecosystems47Using Geological Substrate to Identify and Map Primary Vegetation Types in Madagascar and the Implications for Planning Biodiversity Conservation513Climate75The Climate of Madagascar754Forest Ecology88Remaining Forest Cover88Rapid Methods for Characterizing Forest Structure in Madagascar96Littoral Forest1035Human Ecology112The Rise of Malagasy Societies: New Developments in the Archaeology of Madagascar112Relationship between Human Ecological Pressure and the Vertebrate Extinctions119Comparing Agricultural Systems in Two Areas of Madagasacar123The Dilemma of Reducing Shifting Cultivation134The Fianarantsoa-East Coast Railroad and Its Role in Eastern Forest Conservation139The Role of Socioeconomic Factors in Loss of Malagasy Biodiversity142How Rules Affect Conservation Outcomes146Fire and the Management of Highland Vegetation153Human Diseases and Introduced Small Mammals158Malaria161Viruses1656Marine and Coastal Ecosystems179Marine and Coastal Ecosystems179Mangroves and Salt Marshes209Sea Turtles210Marine Mammals213Megaptera novaeangliae, Humpback Whale2177Plants229Introduction to the Flora of Madagascar229Aquatic and Semiaquatic Vascular Plants250Introduced and Invasive Plants257Occurrence of Alkaloids and Phenolics in Malagasy Forests and Responses by Primates268Pollination Ecology of Plant Communities in the Dry Forests of the Southwest272Bacillariophyceae, Freshwater Diatoms276Diversity, Ecology, and Distribution of the Pteridophyte Flora282Checklist to the Pteridophytes295Winteraceae, Takhtajania perrieri314Annonaceae316Myristicaceae319Moraceae, Ficus and Associated Fauna322Cactaceae, Opuntia spp., Prickly Pear335Bombacaceae, Adansonia339Sapotaceae342Leguminosae (Fabaceae)346Baudouinia rouxevillei374Melastomataceae, Princess Flowers375Euphorbiaceae - Overview379Euphorbia384Pollination and Evolution of Euphorb Vines in Madagascar391Uapaca Woodlands393Anacardiaceae398Balsamaceae402Gentianaceae409Verbenaceae, Lantana camara415Scrophulariaceae417Gesneriaceae421Bignoniaceae: Phylogenetics and Evolution of Pollination Systems425Introduction to the Rubiaceae431Breonia and Related Genera (Tribe Naucleeae)435Carphalea (Tribe Hedyotideae)436Coffea (Tribe Coffeeae)437Coptosperma and Related Genera (Tribe Pavetteae)438Gardenia and Related Genera (Tribe Gardenieae Subtribe Gardeniinae)441Ixora (Tribe Ixoreae)442Mussaenda and Related Genera (Tribe Mussaendeae)444Paederia (Tribe Paederieae)444Psychotria and Related Genera (Tribe Psychotrieae)446Vangueria and Related Genera (Tribe Vanguerieae)447Arecaceae, Palms448Dypsis decaryi, Triangle Palm457Pandanaceae, Pandanus460Poaceae, Bambuseae, Bamboos467Strelitziaceae: The Variants of Ravenala in Natural and Anthropogenic Habitats472Pontederiaceae, Eichhornia crassipes, Water Hyacinth4768Invertebrates503An Introduction to Terrestrial and Freshwater Invertebrates503Ecology of Aquatic Invertebrates511Insect-Plant Interactions: Their Importance for Biodiversity and Ecological Functioning517The Fauna of Savanna Grasslands in the Locust Outbreak Area in Southwestern Madagascar520Gastropoda, Terrestrial Snails529Scorpiones, Scorpions575Araneae, Spiders579Ixodida, Ticks588Acariformes: Parasitic and Commensal Mites of Vertebrates593Atyidae and Palaemonidae, Freshwater Shrimps603Parastacidae, Astacoides, Freshwater Crayfishes608Potamonautidae, Freshwater Crabs612Diplopoda, Millipedes617Collembola, Springtails627Ephemeroptera, Mayflies639Odonata, Dragonflies and Damselflies645Isoptera, Termites654Plecoptera, Stoneflies661Megaloptera Fishflies and Alderflies662Neuroptera, Lacewings663Coleoptera: Cicindelidae, Tiger Beetles (Studies of Tiger Beetles CXI)669Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Tribe Enariini, Scarab Beetles677Siphonaptera, Fleas687Diptera, True Flies692Blephariceridae, Net-Winged Midges702Culicidae, Mosquitoes708Simuliidae, Black Flies715Tabanidae, Horse Flies721Athericidae, Rhagionidae, and Vermileonidae727Therevidae, Stiletto Flies730Acroceridae, Spider-Fly Endoparasitoids734Trichoptera, Caddisflies740Lepidoptera: Systematics and Diversity748Classification, Diversity, and Endemism of the Butterflies (Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea): A Revised Species Checklist762Hymenoptera: Heterogynaidae, Ampulicidae, Sphecidae, and Crabronidae, Apoid Wasps793Formicidae, Ants8119Fishes849Introduction to the Freshwater Fishes849Clupeidae: Sauvagella864Ariidae: Arius864Anchariidae: Ancharius, Catfish865Atherinidae: Teramulus866Bedotiidae: Bedotia, Malagasy Rainbow867Rheocles, Malagasy Rainbowfish868Aplocheilidae: Pachypanchax, Malagasy Killifish870Pantanodon871Cichlidae: Paratilapia872Ptychochromis873Ptychochromoides875Oxylapia876Paretroplus877Eleotridae: Typhleotris87810Amphibians883Introduction to Amphibians883Consequences of Rain Forest Fragmentation for Herpetofauna: A Case Study from Ambohitantely899Hyperoliidae: Heterixalus908Mantellidae: Mantidactylus910Mantella913Boophis916Aglyptodactylus920Laliostoma921Microhylidae922Ranidae: Hoplobatrachus, Indian Tiger Frog926Ptychadena, Mascarene Grass Frog92711Reptiles934Introduction to the Reptiles934Introduced Reptiles and Amphibians949Testudinae, Land Tortoises951Pelomedusidae, Freshwater Turtles956Chamaeleonidae, Chameleons960Chameleon Population Density Estimates970Gekkonidae, Geckos973Gerrhosauridae, Plated Lizards978Iguanidae (Oplurines), Oplurine Lizards983Scincidae, Skinks986Boidae, Boas993Colubridae, Snakes997Crocodylidae: Crocodylus niloticus, Nile Crocodile100512Birds1019Introduction to the Birds1019Biogeography, Guild Structure, and Elevational Variation of Madagascar Forest Birds1045Bird Weights1059Effects of Forest Fragmentation on Bird Communities1064Endoparasites of Malagasy Birds1067Freshwater Birds1071Anseriformes: Anatidae, Wildfowl1077Falconiformes and Strigiformes: Ecology and Status of Raptors1080Falconiformes: Haliaeetus vociferoides, Madagascar Fish-eagle1085Eutriorchis astur, Madagascar Serpent-eagle1088Accipiter spp., Goshawk and Sparrowhawks1091Mesitornithidae, Mesites1095Psittaciformes: Coracopsis spp., Parrots1098Cuculiformes: Coua spp., Couas1102
if (window.jsIframe_js != null) {makeIframeWithPID('34850','','','pline=Book','170','620','','/Nature');}
Popular Categories:Fiction BooksChildren's BookseBook StoreMedical BooksBusiness BooksRare BooksCookbooksLearning ToysB&N ServicesAbout B&NInvestor RelationsBarnes & Noble, Inc.Careers at BN.comAffiliate NetworkCorporate,
Government & LibrariesPublisher & Author GuidelinesDeferred BillingB&N MembershipBulk Order DiscountsB&N BookfairsShipping & DeliveryAbout Free ShippingAbout ShippingShipping RatesStore ReturnsQuick HelpCustomer ServiceOrder StatusEasy ReturnsAll Help TopicsSite MapTerms of Use, Copyright, and Privacy Policy© 1997-2010 Barnesandnoble.com llc
