Foreword John G. Robinson; Preface; Acknowledgements; Frontispiece; 1. Introduction; 2. Steller's sea cow: discovery, biology and exploitation of a relict giant sirenian; 3. Affinities, origins and diversity of the sirenia through time; 4. Feeding biology; 5. Behaviour and habitat use; 6. Life history, reproductive biology and population dynamics; 7. Threats; 8. Conservation status: criteria, methods and an assessment of the extant species of sirenia; 9. Conservation opportunities; References; List of online supplementary materials; Index.
A synthesis of the ecological and related knowledge pertinent to understanding the biology and conservation of dugongs and manatees.
Helene Marsh is Professor of Environmental Science and Dean of Graduate Research Studies at James Cook University, Townsville, Australia. She is an international authority on the conservation biology of dugongs, sea turtles and coastal cetaceans, and led the team that developed the United Nations Environment Programme global Dugong Action Plan. Thomas J. O'Shea is Scientist Emeritus at the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, Colorado. A mammalogist, he conducted research on manatees for many years and has served on the federal Florida Manatee Recovery Team, the Committee of Scientific Advisors to the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission and the IUCN Sirenia Specialist Group. John E. Reynolds III is a Senior Scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida. He served as Chairman of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission between 1991 and 2010 and has recently worked closely with the United Nations Environment Programme to develop and implement a Caribbean-wide Marine Mammal Action Plan.
'… this book is a synthesis and communication tool for the ongoing
work of hundreds of people, from field researchers in Florida or
students in Australia to villagers in Senegal.' Oryx
'This volume will be a welcome addition to any reference library
and particularly is recommended for the library of all
conservation-minded students interested in this unique group of
mammals.' Ecology
'At last we have a scholarly guide to the literature for 'the other
marine mammals', the Sirenia … This book provides an excellent
summary of what we know, what is needed and what still needs to be
learned. Hopefully it will help to prevent other sirenians from
following Steller's sea cow … to extinction. The value of the book
is further enhanced by online appendices containing supplementary
material in extensive tables, for example on food plants eaten and
parasites hosted.' Marine Biology Research
'This is an essential reference for all serious workers on
sirenians, as well as marine mammalogists and biologists in general
who need authoritative, detailed, current, digestible information
on this group of endangered species. It will stand for years to
come as the definitive textbook on sirenians.' Journal of
Mammalogy
'It is clear that this volume was a labor of love, and the result
of substantial feedback from colleagues across many disciplines,
over many years. The result is an accessible and rich summary that
is worthwhile for anyone interested in the ecological history and
fate of marine mammals.' The Quarterly Review of Biology
'This volume is the most complete single scholarly source on the
subject of sirenian ecology and conservation, and is likely to be
so for some time. It is an essential book for all professionals
engaged in sirenian conservation or research activities, and will
also be a welcome addition to the libraries of other marine
mammalogists … The efforts of sirenian researchers, managers, and
conservationists will be greatly aided by the wealth of knowledge
and wisdom contained in this volume.' Roger Reep, Marine Mammal
Science
'… provides pertinent and updated data … will be an important
reference in initiating further conservation efforts.' Mammalia
'… both topical and timely..this book is eminently readable … meets
a high scientific standard, is clearly written, and is well
illustrated … It is suitable for a wide audience including
researchers, resource managers, and policymakers, and will also
appeal to the serious graduate student with an interest in marine
mammal biology, conservation and management.' Stephen Benjamins,
Biological Conservation
'It is evident from the size of the tome that they have provided
detail for the reader that will exceed the greatest expectations.
Not surprisingly, after reading this fascinating and
comprehensively clear book, I am duly impressed, as you likely will
be … this book adds to a wealth of previous works in animal
conservation, behaviour, ecology, effects of human impacts,
genetics and population biology. This volume will be a welcome
addition to any reference library and particularly is recommended
for the library of al conservation-minded students interested in
this unique group of mammals.' The Ecological Society of Americas
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