Description
"Return to the Sea" portrays the life and evolutionary times of marine mammals - from giant whales and sea cows that originated 55 million years ago to the deep diving elephant seals and clam-eating walruses of modern times. This fascinating account of the origin of various marine mammal lineages, some extinct, others extant but threatened, is for the non-specialist. Set against a backdrop of geologic time, changing climates, and changing geography, evolution is the unifying principle that helps us to understand the present day diversity of marine mammals and their responses to environmental challenges. Annalisa Berta explains current controversies and explores patterns of change taking place today, such as shifting food webs and predator-prey relationships, habitat degradation, global warming, and the effects of humans on marine mammal communities.
About the Author
Annalisa Berta is Professor in the Department of Biology at San Diego State University. She has served as the President of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, and Associate Editor of the scientific journal Marine Mammal Science.
Reviews
"Engaging... Stimulating... A compelling story of the history and biology of marine mammals that will delight while it informs readers." -- Alexander J. Werth Bioscience "A good introduction to marine mammal evolution." -- Ian Paulsen The Guardian "Rarely does one have the opportunity to read a book that is written in an enjoyable and accessible way, scientifically accurate, and based in a wide and updated range of literature." -- Carolina Loch, University of Otago, New Zealand Marine Mammal Science "The writing is simple and informative, the line drawings and other illustrations are excellent, and we have here a primer of what it is to be a marine animal..." -- Bernd Wursig The Quarterly Review of Biology
Book Information
ISBN 9780520270572
Author Annalisa Berta
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint University of California Press
Publisher University of California Press
Weight(grams) 544g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 15mm
About the Author
Annalisa Berta is Professor in the Department of Biology at San Diego State University. She has served as the President of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, and Associate Editor of the scientific journal Marine Mammal Science.
Reviews
"Engaging... Stimulating... A compelling story of the history and biology of marine mammals that will delight while it informs readers." -- Alexander J. Werth Bioscience "A good introduction to marine mammal evolution." -- Ian Paulsen The Guardian "Rarely does one have the opportunity to read a book that is written in an enjoyable and accessible way, scientifically accurate, and based in a wide and updated range of literature." -- Carolina Loch, University of Otago, New Zealand Marine Mammal Science "The writing is simple and informative, the line drawings and other illustrations are excellent, and we have here a primer of what it is to be a marine animal..." -- Bernd Wursig The Quarterly Review of Biology
Book Information
ISBN 9780520270572
Author Annalisa Berta
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint University of California Press
Publisher University of California Press
Weight(grams) 544g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 15mm
