The Marine Mammals of the Gulf of Mexico
ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Wursig, Bernd G. / Jefferson, Thomas A. / Schmidly, David J., PUBLISHER: Texas A&M University Press, ong>Theong> Gulf of Mexico teems with a much greater number and range of whales, dolphins, and oong>theong>r mammalian species than was suspected only a few years ago. In ong>Theong> Marine Mammals of ong>theong> Gulf of Mexico, Bernd Wursig, Thomas A. Jefferson, and David J. Schmidly provide information on all known species, valuable identification tools, and up-to-date research on behavior, group sizes, reproduction, and underwater calls. ong>Theong> introduction presents an overview of ong>theong> whales, dolphins, pinnipeds, and oong>theong>r marine mammals of ong>theong> world, discussing ong>theong>ir basic biology and outlining ong>theong>ir differences. ong>Theong> authors ong>theong>n describe ong>theong> characteristics of ong>theong> Gulf that affect ong>theong> marine mammal species that inhabit it or occasionally enter its waters. ong>Theong> main body of this important new guide provides a checklist of ong>theong> species, keys to identification, and species descriptions of ong>theong> marine mammals known or believed to occupy ong>theong> Gulf. More than thirty color plates by marine artist Larry Foster and thirty-two color photographs illustrate ong>theong>se creatures. Anoong>theong>r unique feature of this volume is a set of drawings of ong>theong> skulls of all ong>theong> Gulf species; ong>theong>se skull keys will at last enable individuals involved in ong>theong> Gulf Stranding Network, a volunteer operation that rescues and recovers beached or stranded marine mammals, to easily identify species along ong>theong> Gulf Coast. Finally, ong>theong> book also discusses environmental problems of ong>theong> Gulf as ong>theong>y affect marine mammals and considers ong>theong> conservation and management tools needed to preserve ong>theong>m in ong>theong>ir habitats. ong>Theong> Marine Mammals of ong>theong> Gulf of Mexico will prove a useful reference for marine biologists, volunteers with scientific and rescueorganizations, and anyone else interested in furong>theong>r study of ong>theong>se animals.