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Marine Mammals

Evolutionary Biology

3rd Edition - March 20, 2015

Authors: Annalisa Berta, James L. Sumich, Kit M. Kovacs

Hardback ISBN:

9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 3 9 7 0 0 2 - 2

eBook ISBN:

9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 3 9 7 2 5 7 - 6

Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology, Third Edition is a succinct, yet comprehensive text devoted to the systematics, evolution, morphology, ecology, physiology, and behavior of… Read more

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Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology, Third Edition is a succinct, yet comprehensive text devoted to the systematics, evolution, morphology, ecology, physiology, and behavior of marine mammals.

Earlier editions of this valuable work are considered required reading for all marine biologists concerned with marine mammals, and this text continues that tradition of excellence with updated citations and an expansion of nearly every chapter that includes full color photographs and distribution maps.

Chapter 1. Introduction

1.1. Marine Mammals—“What Are They?”
1.2. Adaptations for Aquatic Life
1.3. Scope and Use of this Book
1.4. Time Scale
1.5. Early Observations of Marine Mammals
1.6. Emergence of Marine Mammal Science
1.7. Further Reading and Resources

Part 1. Evolutionary History

Chapter 2. Phylogeny, Taxonomy, and Classification

2.1. Introduction: Investigating Evolutionary Histories
2.2. Some Basic Terminology and Concepts
2.3. How Do You Build a Phylogenetic Tree?
2.4. Testing Phylogenetic Hypotheses
2.5. Applying Phylogenies: Elucidating Evolutionary and Ecological Patterns
2.6. Taxonomy and Classification
2.7. Summary and Conclusions
2.8. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 3. Pinniped Evolution and Systematics

3.1. Introduction
3.2. Origin and Evolution
3.3. Summary and Conclusions
3.4. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 4. Cetacean Evolution and Systematics

4.1. Introduction
4.2. Origin and Evolution
4.3. Summary and Conclusions
4.4. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 5. Sirenians and Other Marine Mammals: Evolution and Systematics

5.1. Introduction
5.2. Origin and Evolution of Sirenians
5.3. The Extinct Sirenian Relatives—Desmostylia
5.4. The Extinct Marine Bear-Like Carnivoran, Kolponomos
5.5. The Extinct Aquatic Sloth, Thalassocnus natans
5.6. Marine Otters
5.7. The Polar Bear, Ursus maritimus
5.8. Summary and Conclusions
5.9. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 6. Evolution and Geography

6.1. Introduction
6.2. Species Identity
6.3. Speciation
6.4. Ecological Factors Affecting Distributions of Marine Mammals
6.5. Present Patterns of Distribution
6.6. Reconstructing Biogeographic Patterns
6.7. Past Patterns of Distribution
6.8. Summary and Conclusions
6.9. Further Reading and Resources

Part 2. Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Behavior

Chapter 7. Integumentary and Sensory Systems

7.1. Introduction
7.2. Integumentary System
7.3. Nerves and Sense Organs
7.4. Summary and Conclusions
7.5. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 8. Musculoskeletal System and Locomotion

8.1. Introduction
8.2. Pinnipeds
8.3. Cetaceans
8.4. Sirenians
8.5. Sea Otter
8.6. Polar Bear
8.7. Summary and Conclusions
8.8. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 9. Energetics

9.1. Introduction
9.2. Metabolic Rates
9.3. Thermoregulation
9.4. Energetics of Locomotion
9.5. Osmoregulation
9.6. Summary and Conclusions
9.7. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 10. Respiration and Diving Physiology

10.1. Introduction
10.2. Challenges of Deep and Prolonged Dives for Breath-Holders
10.3. Pulmonary and Circulatory Adaptations to Diving
10.4. Diving Response
10.5. Diving Behavior and Phylogenetic Patterns
10.6. Summary and Conclusions
10.7. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 11. Sound Production for Communication, Echolocation, and Prey Capture

11.1. Introduction
11.2. Sound Propagation in Air and Water
11.3. Anatomy and Physiology of Sound Production and Reception
11.4. Functions of Intentionally Produced Sounds
11.5. Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate and Low-Frequency Military Sonars
11.6. Summary and Conclusions
11.7. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 12. Diet, Foraging Structures, and Strategies

12.1. Introduction
12.2. Seasonal and Geographical Patterns of Prey Abundance
12.3. Adaptations for Foraging in Pinnipeds
12.4. Feeding Specializations of Cetaceans
12.5. Feeding Specializations of Sirenians
12.6. Feeding Specializations of Other Marine Mammals
12.7. Summary and Conclusions
12.8. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 13. Reproductive Structures, Strategies, and Patterns

13.1. Introduction
13.2. Anatomy and Physiology of the Reproductive System
13.3. Mating Systems
13.4. Lactation Strategies
13.5. Reproductive Patterns
13.6. Summary and Conclusions
13.7. Further Reading and Resources

Chapter 14. Population Structure and Dynamics

14.1. Introduction
14.2. Abundance and Its Determination in Marine Mammals
14.3. Techniques for Monitoring Populations
14.4. Population Structure and Dynamics
14.5. Summary and Conclusions
14.6. Further Reading and Resources

Part 3. Exploitation, Conservation, and Management

Chapter 15. Exploitation and Conservation

15.1. Introduction
15.2. Exploitation of Marine Mammals
15.3. Marine Mammal Conservation and Protection
15.4. Progress and the Future
15.5. Summary and Conclusions
15.6. Further Reading and Resources

Annalisa Berta

Annalisa Berta is Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology at San Diego State University, San Diego, California and a Research Associate at the San Diego Natural History Museum in San Diego, California and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. She is an evolutionary biologist who for the last 30 years has been studying the anatomy, evolution and systematics of fossil and living marine mammals, especially pinnipeds and whales. She is a past President of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology and former Senior Editor of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology and Associate Editor of Marine Mammal Science. She has written 100 scientific papers and several books for the specialist as well as non-scientist including Return to the Sea: The Life and Evolutionary Times of Marine Mammals, 2012, (University of California Press) and the forthcoming book (summer, 2015) Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises: a natural history and species guide (University of Chicago Press).

Affiliations and expertise

San Diego State University, California, U.S.A.

James L. Sumich

James Sumich is Professor Emeritus of Biology at Grossmont College and is the author of a popular book on gray whales. He has conducted research on gray whales from British Columbia to Baja California for four decades and has taught marine mammal course for nearly that long. His research has focused on the ecological physiology of baleen whales, especially the energetics of their seasonal fasting migrations.

Affiliations and expertise

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

Kit M. Kovacs

Kit M. Kovacs is the Biodiversity Research Program Leader for the Norwegian Polar Institute in Tromsø Norway and a Professor of Biology at University Studies on Svalbard (UNIS). She has worked with marine mammals in Polar Regions for the past 30 years, focusing primarily on studies in the fields of behavioral ecology and population biology. The impact of climate change on ice-associated species has been a topic of principal concern in recent years in her research projects. She is author/co-author of more than 200 primary publications and the author/editor of ten books and numerous popular articles.

Affiliations and expertise

Biodiversity Research Section Leader, Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, Norway, Professor of Biology, The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Svalbard, Norway