6 options
Return to the sea : the life and evolutionary times of marine mammals / Annalisa Berta ; illustrated by James L. Sumich and Carl Buell.
De Gruyter University of California Press Backlist eBook-Package 2000-2013 Available online
View online- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Berta, Annalisa.
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Marine mammals--Evolution.
- Marine mammals.
- Marine animals--Evolution.
- Marine animals.
- Physical Description:
- 1 online resource (222 pages)
- Edition:
- 1st ed.
- Place of Publication:
- Berkeley, CA : University of California Press, 2012.
- Language Note:
- English
- Summary:
- Return to the Sea portrays the life and evolutionary times of marine mammals-from giant whales and sea cows that originated 55 million years ago to the deep diving elephant seals and clam-eating walruses of modern times. This fascinating account of the origin of various marine mammal lineages, some extinct, others extant but threatened, is for the non-specialist. Set against a backdrop of geologic time, changing climates, and changing geography, evolution is the unifying principle that helps us to understand the present day diversity of marine mammals and their responses to environmental challenges. Annalisa Berta explains current controversies and explores patterns of change taking place today, such as shifting food webs and predator-prey relationships, habitat degradation, global warming, and the effects of humans on marine mammal communities.
- Contents:
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter One. Marine Mammals
- Chapter Two. Past Diversity in Time and Space, Paleoclimates, and Paleoecology
- Chapter Three. Pinniped Diversity, Evolution, and Adaptations
- Chapter Four. Cetartiodactylan Diversity, Evolution, and Adaptations
- Chapter Five. Diversity, Evolution, and Adaptations of Sirenians and Other Marine Mammals
- Chapter Six. Ecology and Conservation
- Glossary
- Further Reading and Online Sources
- Illustration Credits
- Index
- Notes:
- Description based upon print version of record.
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- ISBN:
- 9786613623133
- 9781280593307
- 128059330X
- 9780520951440
- 0520951441
- OCLC:
- 794328933
The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.