Handbook of Mammals of the South-Central StatesJerry R. Choate J. Knox Jones Jr Clyde JonesLabel: Louisiana State University PressDescription: Authoritative yet easy to use Handbook of Mammals of the South-Central States will be a close companion of field biologists and a ready reference for the naturally curious. Containing a wealth of information about mammalian wildlife in Alabama Arkansas Georgia Kentucky Louisiana Mississippi and Tennessee the book describes in detail ninety-five native mammals and eight introduced species that live in that region.The south-central United States is both diverse and complex ecologically including within its range coastal and inland swamps mountain peaks forests grasslands sand dunes and rich agricultural lands. In the books' introduction the authors describe those environments-their physiography drainage patterns climates soils and vegetation-and explain how they determine which species can exist there. They also discuss other facts-such as geographical history competition between species and the effects of man-that determine which species actually do occur in a particular area.The authors furnish a checklist of the 103 mammals arranged in phylogenetic sequence with keys to identifying the orders families and species. An up-to-date account of each species follows supplying details about the animal's distribution throughout the seven states; its physical description including seize colour pattern and features distinguishing it from related species; and its natural history including preferred habitat diet activity patterns resting or nesting sites reproduction and population densities. A photograph distribution map and list of selected references complete each account. Handbook of Mammals of the South-Central States is the first comprehensive guide to focus on this region's mammalian fauna. Students will appreciate its accessible format glossary of terms index to scientific and vernacular names of the mammals and selected bibliography. Amateurs and professional naturalists alike will rely on it to identify mammals in the field laboratory and classroom.
