Language: English
This comprehensive handbook covers all the rodents occurring in Southern, Central, East and West Africa, south of the Sahara. Detailed treatments of 89 genera and 463 species are provided for the following families: Anomaluridae (anomalures), Bathyergidae (mole-rats), Ctenodactylidae (gundis), Dipodidae (gerboas), Gliridae (dormice), Hystricidae (porcupines), Muridae (rats and mice), Myocastoridae (coypu), Nesomyidae (nesomyids), Pedetidae (springhares), Petromuridae (dassie rats), Sciuridae (squirrels), Spalacidae (root-rats) and Thryonomyidae (canerats). The book includes short reviews of the evolution of African fossil rodents, the socioeconomic importance of this group, and their conservation status. The bulk of the book is dedicated to presentation of 89 detailed genus accounts, 463 species accounts, identification keys and an extensive bibliography. Genus and species accounts include diagnostic descriptions, updated systematics and taxonomy, biogeography and habitat, fossil species, photographs of skull and molar dentition, photographs of live animals, distribution maps, and tables of standard museum measurements. This is an essential handbook for all zoologists.