Biology and Evolution of Crocodylians

by Gordon Grigg, David Kirshner, Richard Shine (Foreword by)

Overview

Crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials—the Crocodylia, known collectively as crocodylians—are the world’s largest living reptiles. The largest of them, probably the estuarine or saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, can grow to almost twenty feet and weigh more than two thousand pounds. Crocodylians are creatures of great contrast. They can remain patiently still for ages, yet can also move like lightning to snap up a meal. They are formidably strong, active predators, with jaws that can tear apart large prey items, yet a mother or a father can gently assist hatchlings out of the eggs, and carry them to the water between their teeth. Because large crocodylians can (and do) eat people, they invite fear and loathing, but they also inspire curiosity and admiration.

Biology and Evolution of Crocdylians 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 artwork and color 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, crocodilian-human interaction, and the evolutionary history of the group.

Richly illustrated with more than five hundred color 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801454103
Publisher:	Cornell University Press
Publication date:	04/15/2015
Pages:	672
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.30(h) x 1.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

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

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements1. INTRODUCTION
Introducing crocodylians
The living species of crocodylians
The growth of scientific knowledge about crocodylians
Body size and age2. THE CROCODYLIAN FAMILY TREE
The modern crocodylians and their relationships
Extinct Crocodylia and other crocodile-like reptiles; crocs in 'deep time'
Summary3. CROCODYLIANS CLOSER UP
The external features of crocodylians
Skull and musculoskeletal system4. LOCOMOTION, BUOYANCY, AND TRAVEL
Crocodylians on land
Crocodylians in the water
Buoyancy
Stomach stones (gastroliths)
Capacity for long distance travel5. SENSORY SKILLS AND BRAIN
Vision
Hearing, movement and balance
Brain and cranial nerves
Olfaction and gustation (chemosensation)
Sense organs of the skin
Cognitive capacities and learning6. FEEDING, DIGESTION, AND NUTRITION
What do crocodylians eat?
Prey capture and handling
Digestion
Nutrition7. ENERGY SUPPLY AND DELIVERY
The metabolic engines: crocodylian biochemistry and metabolism
Whole body metabolism (anaerobic and aerobic)
The respiratory system
The circulatory system8. THE WORLD'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY HEART
A tour of the crocodylian heart
Non-shunting and shunting patterns of blood flow
What is the significance of pulmonary by-pass shunting in crocodylians?9. DIVING AND SUBMERGENCE BEHAVIOUR AND PHYSIOLOGY
When? Why? How deep? How, and how for so long?
Diving behaviour of crocodylians in the wild
Physiological support for crocodylian diving
What are the longest submergences by crocodylians that can be supported aerobically?10. THERMAL RELATIONS
Introduction: crocodylians are not like other reptiles
Daily and seasonal patterns of body temperature
Behaviours that modify body temperature
Physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation
Thermal acclimatization
Crocodylians may have endothermic ancestry
Could even the basal archosaurs have been endothermic?11. SALT AND WATER BALANCE
Salt and water balance in Crocodylus porosus: an introduction to crocodylian osmoregulation
Salt and water balance in other crocodylians
Living out of water, 'aestivation'
Salt glands and implications for crocodylian evolutionary history12. REPRODUCTION
Introduction: they’re more like birds
Oviducts, ovulation, fertilisation and the gravid stage13. POPULATIONS AND POPULATION ECOLOGY
Populations (and species)
Population dynamics: changes through time
Case Histories14. CONSERVATION, COMMERCIALISATION, AND CONFLICT
Introduction
Historical perspective
The future for crocodylians?INDEX

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