Antelopes,Deer, And Relatives

From the era of early cave paintings to the present time, ruminants-deer, antelopes, cattle, buffalo, goats, giraffes, and their relatives-have captured the human on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, they have been more important to human subsistence than any other mammalian group. This biology relationships, and conservation of this fascinating and ecologically significant group of mammals. Eminent authorities from around the world have contributed to this book on ruminants, integrating information from paleontology, molecular and population genetics, anatomy morphology and field studies of behavior, ecology, and the effects of climate change. Also covered are the genetics, morphology and behavior of the saola (one of several new species recently found in the Annamite Mountains between Laos and Vietnam) and other survivors from isolated and ancient branches on the ruminant family tree. Many of the living species are endangered, say the authors, and knowledge of their history evolution, and basic biology is critical to their conservation.