Handbook of Mammals of Madagascar

About this book

Madagascar is home to one of the most remarkable assemblages of mammals on earth. Millions of years of isolation has resulted in the evolution of a suite of species that are exceptional for two major reasons. Firstly, every native non-volant species (approximately 210 species) is endemic. No other island or place on earth boasts such a combination of species richness and endemism. And secondly, these mammals have evolved an extraordinary diversity of body forms and lifestyles often displaying significant convergence with forms elsewhere but also at times evolving utterly unique features.

Handbook of Mammals of Madagascar describes all 217 native species, including bats, tenrecs, carnivores, rodents and lemurs, and a small number of introduced, non-native species. Species accounts are subdivided into sections covering description and identification, habitat and distribution (including distribution maps), behaviour and where to see. Over the past 15 years, since publication of Garbutt's previous book with Bloomsbury, Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide, major advances in research have been made into the island's mammal fauna and species accounts include all the latest information.

Supporting chapters cover the island's regions and habitats, threats to mammals, conservation and important mammal watching sites. There is also a section covering the bizarre extinct mammal fauna. Throughout, Handbook of Mammals of Madagascar is illustrated with exceptional, high-quality photography, often featuring species rarely photographed previously.

Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
How to Use the Handbook

Biogeography
How Did Mammals Arrive in Madagascar?

Regions and Habitats of Madagascar
- Lowland Rainforest and Littoral Forest
- Mid-Elevation Montane Rainforest
- High-Elevation Montane Rainforest
- Sclerophyllous Forest and High Mountain Thicket
- Seasonal Humid Forest (Sambirano)
- Dry Deciduous Forest
- Subarid Thorn Scrub or Spiny Forest
- Mangroves
- Grasslands and Palm Savannahs

THE MAMMALS OF MADAGASCAR
Overview
Taxonomy
The Species Conundrum
Classification of the Extant Mammals of Madagascar
Tenrecs, Order Afrosoricida
            Family Tenrecidae
                  Subfamily Tenrecinae
                  Subfamily Geogalinae
                  Subfamily Oryzorictinae
Bats, Order Chiroptera
      Suborder Pteropodiformes (Yinpterochiroptera)
            Family Pteropodidae
            Family Rhinonycteridae
            Family Hipposideridae
      Suborder Vespertilioniformes (Yangoterochiroptera)
            Family Emballonuridae
            Family Nycteridae
            Family Myzopodidae
            amily Molossidae
            Family Miniopteridae
            Family Vespertilionidae
Lemurs, Order Primates
      Infraorder Lemuriformes
            Family Cheirogaleidae
            Family Lepilemuridae
            Family Lemuridae
            Family Indriidae
      Infraorder Chiromyiformes
            Family Daubentoniidae
Malagasy Carnivorans, Order Carnivora
            Family Eupleridae
                  Subfamily Eupleriinae
                  Subfamily Galidiinae
Rodents, Order Rodentia
            Family Nesomyidae
                  Subfamily Nesomyinae
Non-Native Mammals
Non-Native Rodents
Old World Rats and Mice
Non-Native Carnivorans
True Civets
Domestic Dogs
Feral Cats
Non-Native Insectivores
Shrews
Hoofed Mammals
Wild Pigs
Domestic Stock
Deer

Threats to Madagascar's Mammals
- Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
- Habitat Degradation
- Mining Operations
- Hunting and Bushment
- The Illegal Pet Trade
- Intrusion by Non-Native Species

Conservation and the Island's Protected Areas
- Parks and Reserves

Important Mammal Watching Sites
- Rainforest Areas
- Deciduous Forest Areas
- Spiny Forest Areas

The Extinct Mammal Fauna
- Middle Jurassic Mammals
- Late Cretaceous Mammals
- Quaternary Mammals
- Order Bibymalagasia
- Order Afrosoricida
- Order Chiroptera
- Order Primates
- Infraorder Lemuriformes
- Order Carnivora
- Order Artiodactyla
- Order Rodentia
- Classification of Extinct Subfossil Mammals

Glossary
Species Checklists
General Bibliography
Photo Credits
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Nick Garbutt is a well-known authority on Madagascar's wildlife. He has observed the majority of the island's mammals in the wild – a claim only a handful of others can make. He is an award-winning wildlife photographer and talented artists, and contributes articles and photos to many publications including National Geographic, Africa Geographic and BBC Wildlife.