A Field Guide to the Mammals of Central America and Southeast Mexico

by Fiona A. Reid

Overview

This is the only field guide to provide comprehensive coverage of the mammals of Central America and southeast Mexico. The fully revised second edition includes 21 new species, as well as updated illustrations and distribution maps. Each species account provides measurements, descriptions, and comparisons with similar species, and is accompanied by a range map showing where the species can be found in the region.

The 49 full-color animal plates contain similar species portrayed to scale on the same plate, with tracks and feet shown on the facing-page. 4 new full-color maps provide visual views of parks and protected areas, biomes, elevations and habitat loss, as well as a political map of the region. The book also features a detailed introduction with sections on how and where to find mammals and a listing of the most endangered species in the region.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195343236
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	06/09/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Fiona Reid has studied mammals for over 20 years. A knowledgeable all-round naturalist, she leads nature tours for Bat Conservation International and for Fiona Reid's Wildlife Encounters.

Books by the same author:
A Field Guide to the Mammals of Central America and Southeast Mexico, 1st edition, 1998

Table of Contents

How to Use this BookIntroductionHow to Find MammalsStudying MammalsThe Need for Further ResearchWhere to Find MammalsConservation of Mammals in Central AmericaAmerican Opossums (Order Didelphimorphia, Family Didelphidae)Anteaters and Sloths(Order Pilosa)Anteaters (Families Myrmecophagidae and Cyclopedidae)Sloths (Families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae)Armadillos (Order Cingulata, Family Dasypodidae)Shrews (Order Soricomorpha, Family Soricidae)Bats (Order Chiroptera)Sac-winged Bats (Family Emballonuridae)Fishing or Bulldog Bats (Family Noctilionidae)Leaf-chinned Bats (Family Mormoopidae)Leaf-nosed Bats (Family Phyllostomidae)Funnel-eared Bats (Family Natalidae)Thumbless Bats (Family Furipteridae)Disk-winged Bats (Family Thyropteridae)Plain-nosed Bats (Family Vespertilionidae)Free-tailed Bats (Family Molossidae)Monkeys (Order Primates)Tamarins, Capuchins and Squirrel Monkeys (Family Cebidae)Night Monkeys (Family Aotidae)Spider and Howler Monkeys (Family Atelidae)Rodents (Order Rodentia)Squirrels (Family Sciuridae)Pocket Gophers (Family Geomyidae)Kangaroo Rats and Pocket Mice (Family Heteromyidae)Rats and Mice (Family Cricetidae)New World Porcupines (Family Erethizontidae)Capybaras (Family Caviidae)Agoutis and Acouchis (Family Dasyproctidae)Pacas (Family Cuniculidae)Spiny Rats and Tree Rats (Family Echimyidae)Rabbits and Hares (Order Lagomorpha, Family Leporidae)Carnivores (Order Carnivora)Dogs and Foxes (Family Canidae)Raccoons and Allies (Family Procyonidae)Weasels and Allies (Family Mustelidae)Skunks (Family Mephitidae)Cats (Family Felidae)Manatees and Dugongs (Order Sirenia, Family Trichechidae)Odd-Toed Ungulates (Order Perissodactyla)Tapirs (Family Tapiridae)Even-Toed Ungulates (Order Artiodactyla)Peccaries (Family Tayassuidae)Deer (Family Cervidae)Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises (Order Cetacea)Ocean Dolphins (Family Delphinidae)Sperm Whale (Family Physeteridae)Pygmy and Dwarf Sperm Whales (Family Kogiidae)Beaked Whales (Family Ziphiidae)Rorqual Whales (Family Balaenopteridae)

Editorial Reviews

"This book is the very best news for anyone who is going to Central America and southeast Mexico to view or work with mammals. As a field biologist I cannot imagine a more important part of my field equipment than a really good field guide. Well, Fiona Reid's book is not just a 'really good' field guid, it's excellent. . . .Invaluable. . . .I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the mammals of Central America. The coverage is simply outstanding!" —Bat Research News

"This field guide is a major contribution to Central American mammalogy, field biology, and conservation as well as an essential field reference for that part of the world...Highly recommended."—Donald S. Heintzelman, Wildlife Activist

"The book is generously illustrated with 48 full-colour plates and numerous line drawings. The colour plates illustrate about 85% of the 349 species in the region. All large mammals are illustrated in colour, and different forms are included when a species varies with sex, age or geographic location. Particularly impressive are the portrayals of small mammals such as bats, rodents, and marsupials, most of which were painted directly from life by the author. Designed for use both by amateur naturalists and professional biologists, this guide provides accounts for all mammals native to the land and surrounding waters of Central America and Southeast Mexico (east of the Isthmus of Tehuantapec)."—Ethology Ecology & Evolution

"This book is an outstanding addition to the field guide genre for several reasons. First and foremost is that the author is an artist/naturalist who has personally captured and drawn or painted many of the small mammals described and illustrated in this book. Many of Reid's color plates sparkle with life because of her personal familiarity with dozens of species of bats and rodents. The illustrations are so realistic that one almost expects to see the ears of bats twitch and the vibrissae of rodents to wiggle! This book is worth purchasing for the 48 color plates alone. Other outstanding aspects include excellent advice about how and where to find shy, mostly nocturnal tropical mammals . . and a 17-page bibliography that provides references to much of the literature on the ecology and behavior of neotropical mammals. . . . In summary, this book makes a fascinating and diverse fauna very accessible to both amateur and professional naturalists."—The Quarterly Review of Biology

Recommended on Birdkeeper's Bookcase http://sites.google.com/site/birdbookersbookcase/

"This field guide has been revised to include 21 new species of mammals (9 of which are bats). 4 new color regional maps have been added. The 49 color plates were painted by Reid. Anyone with an interest in Neotropical mammals will want this book!"—The Birdbooker Report

From the Publisher