'Churchfield . . . has provided a comprehensive volume that synthesizes a wealth of information about shrew ecology and life history.'--Choice In this book, Sara Churchfield offers an encyclopedic coverage of shrews, describing in great detail their life cycle and breeding biology. Her comprehensive treatment of these ubiquitous animals examines their life history, social organization, communication and orientation, food and foraging, energetics, community structure and habitat, and relationship to humans.

Tree shrews are small-bodied, scansorial, squirrel-like mammals that occupy a wide range of arboreal, semi-arboreal, and forest floor niches in Southeast Asia and adjacent islands. Comparative aspects of tree shrew biology have been the subject of extensive investigations during the past two decades. These studies were initiated in part because of the widely accepted belief that tupaiids are primitive primates, and, as such, might provide valuable insight into the evolutionary origin of complex patterns of primate behavior, locomotion, neurobiology, and reproduction. During the same period, there has been a renewed interest in the methodology of phylogenetic reconstruction and in the use of data from a variety of biological disciplines to test or formulate hypotheses of evolutionary relationships. In particular, interest in the com parative and systematic biology of mammals has focused on analysis of phy logenetic relationships among Primates and a search for their closest relatives. Assessment of the possible primate affinities of tree shrews has comprised an important part of these studies, and a considerable amount of dental, cranio skeletal, neuroanatomical, reproductive, developmental, and molecular evi dence has been marshalled to either corroborate or refute hypotheses of a special tupaiid-primate relationship. These contrasting viewpoints have re sulted from differing interpretations of the basic data, as well as alternative approaches to the evolutionary analysis of data.

Tree shrews are small-bodied, scansorial, squirrel-like mammals that occupy a wide range of arboreal, semi-arboreal, and forest floor niches in Southeast Asia and adjacent islands. Comparative aspects of tree shrew biology have been the subject of extensive investigations during the past two decades. These studies were initiated in part because of the widely accepted belief that tupaiids are primitive primates, and, as such, might provide valuable insight into the evolutionary origin of complex patterns of primate behavior, locomotion, neurobiology, and reproduction. During the same period, there has been a renewed interest in the methodology of phylogenetic reconstruction and in the use of data from a variety of biological disciplines to test or formulate hypotheses of evolutionary relationships. In particular, interest in the com parative and systematic biology of mammals has focused on analysis of phy logenetic relationships among Primates and a search for their closest relatives. Assessment of the possible primate affinities of tree shrews has comprised an important part of these studies, and a considerable amount of dental, cranio skeletal, neuroanatomical, reproductive, developmental, and molecular evi dence has been marshalled to either corroborate or refute hypotheses of a special tupaiid-primate relationship. These contrasting viewpoints have re sulted from differing interpretations of the basic data, as well as alternative approaches to the evolutionary analysis of data.

Presents new insights into speciation through an in-depth analysis of extraordinary chromosomal variation in one species written by leading experts.

In 'Speciation of the Wandering Shrew' by James S. Findley, readers are taken on a scientific journey exploring the process of speciation in a small and elusive mammal. Findley's book is a meticulous examination of the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the evolution of distinct shrew species, written in a clear and accessible style for both novice and expert readers in the field of evolutionary biology. Through detailed case studies and evolutionary theories, Findley provides a comprehensive overview of shrew speciation, presenting complex concepts in a understandable manner. This book is a valuable contribution to the literature on mammalian evolution and speciation, shedding light on the intricate processes that shape biodiversity. James S. Findley, a distinguished biologist with years of research experience in mammalian evolution, brings his expertise to 'Speciation of the Wandering Shrew', offering readers a well-researched and insightful analysis of shrew speciation. With his extensive knowledge and passion for the subject, Findley delivers a compelling narrative that invites readers to delve into the fascinating world of evolutionary biology. I highly recommend 'Speciation of the Wandering Shrew' to anyone interested in the intricacies of speciation and evolutionary processes, as Findley's book offers a captivating and informative exploration of these important scientific concepts.

"The authors have done a superb job of distilling a vast amount of information on the biology of the terrestrial mammals of the eastern United States in a style that will not only satisfy the expert's need for accurate data but will also appeal to students and others interested in natural history." —James N. Layne, Archbold Biological Station In their definitive work on eastern mammals, John O. Whitaker, Jr., and W. J. Hamilton, Jr., vividly convey their sheer delight at the variety and abundance of mammalian life. They have brought together a wealth of biological information and applied a biological subspecies concept to the mammals of the eastern United States. Their research extends "from the high reaches of Mount Katahdin in northern Maine, where water shrews and moose hold company," to the unglaciated hills of southern Indiana, where pygmy shrews (each weighing less than a dime) lived undetected until 1981. From there, they reach to "the cypress swamps of lower Florida, where the spoor of the mountain lion may be seen."*Describes the animals, their behavior, and dispersion in all 27 states east of the Mississippi River.*Almost entirely rewritten, this edition provides an abundance of scientific information in combination with anecdotes, field notes, and an underlying reverence for the fragile diversity of animal life. *Illustrations include 110 range maps, 167 black-and-white photographs, and 92 color images.*Covers 121 species, 17 more than in the previous edition. *Uses a biological subspecies concept, showing the results of evolution through differentiation. *Provides keys to orders and genera, anatomical line drawings. *Summarizes information on endangered and threatened species for each of the eastern states. *Lists state mammal books in the literature section.

The first detailed account of post-copulatory sexual selection and the evolution of reproduction in mammals.