Biology and Evolution of Crocodylians

by Gordon Grigg, David Kirshner

Overview

Biology and Evolution of Crocodylians is a comprehensive review of current knowledge about the world's largest and most famous living reptiles.

Gordon Grigg's authoritative and accessible text and David Kirshner's stunning interpretive artwork and colour photographs combine expertly in this contemporary celebration of crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials. This book showcases the skills and capabilities that allow crocodylians to live how and where they do. It covers the biology and ecology of the extant species, conservation issues, crocodylian–human interaction and the evolutionary history of the group, and includes a vast amount of new information; 25 per cent of 1100 cited publications have appeared since 2007.

Richly illustrated with more than 500 colour photographs and black and white illustrations, this book will be a benchmark reference work for crocodylian biologists, herpetologists and vertebrate biologists for years to come.

Winner of the 2015 Whitley Medal.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781486300686
Publisher:	CSIRO PUBLISHING
Publication date:	01/15/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	672
File size:	75 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Gordon Grigg is Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Queensland. David Kirshner has illustrated several books on wildlife. Rick Shine AM FAA is a Laureate Fellow of the Australian Research Council and Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Sydney.

Table of Contents

1 The Crocodylians
2 The Crocodylian Family Tree
3 Crocodylians Closer Up
4 Locomotion&Buoyancy
5 Sensory Systems
6 Food, Feeding, Digestion&Nutrition
7 Energy Supply
8 Extraordinary Heart
9 Diving
10 Thermal Relations
11 Salt&Water Balance
12 Reproduction
13 Population Ecology
14 Conservation&Management

Editorial Reviews

The author, Gordon Grigg, and illustrator, David Kirshner, have written a wonderful, beautifully illustrated, all-inclusive treatise on the Crocodylia that has already become (and will remain for the foreseeable future) the most important compilation of information and references yet attempted. It will be invaluable to both current researchers and future generations of crocodylian biologists.... [D]espite working in the area of crocodylian evolutionary biology for over 35 years, I learned more about these animals than I ever imagined by reading this volume.... Overall, this is a most remarkable publication, one that surely will stand the test of time and be remembered as one of the most important contributions ever in the history of crocodylian research.

The Quarterly Review of Biology - Llewellyn D. Densmore

Biology and Evolution of Crocodyliansis an expensive book, but it is one that will serve any paleontologist seeking a detailed review of all aspects of modern crocodylian biology. The photographs and illustrations also make it a very attractive book for any natural history enthusiast.

Palaeontologica Electronica - Adam Pritchard

The author, Gordon Grigg, and illustrator, David Kirshner, have written a wonderful, beautifully illustrated, all-inclusive treatise on the Crocodylia that has already become (and will remain for the foreseeable future) the most important compilation of information and references yet attempted. It will be invaluable to both current researchers and future generations of crocodylian biologists. . . . [D]espite working in the area of crocodylian evolutionary biology for over 35 years, I learned more about these animals than I ever imagined by reading this volume. . . . Overall, this is a most remarkable publication, one that surely will stand the test of time and be remembered as one of the most important contributions ever in the history of crocodylian research."—Llewellyn D. Densmore, The Quarterly Review of Biology (June 2016)

"Biology and Evolution of Crocodyliansis an expensive book, but it is one that will serve any paleontologist seeking a detailed review of all aspects of modern crocodylian biology. The photographs and illustrations also make it a very attractive book for any natural history enthusiast." -- Adam Pritchard,Palaeontologica Electronica(August 2016)

From the Publisher