Madagascar is home to one of the most remarkable assemblages of mammals
on earth. Millions of years of isolation has resulted in the evolution
of a suite of species that are exceptional for two major reasons.
Firstly, every native non-volant species (approximately 210 species) is
endemic. No other island or place on earth boasts such a combination of
species richness and endemism. And secondly, these mammals have evolved
an extraordinary diversity of body forms and lifestyles often displaying
significant convergence with forms elsewhere but also at times evolving
utterly unique features.
Handbook of the Mammals of Madagascar describes all 217 native
species, including bats, tenres, mice and lemurs, and a small number of
introduced, non-native species. Species accounts are subdivided into
sections covering description and identification, habitat and
distribution (including distribution maps), behaviour and where to see.
Over the past 15 years, major advances in research have been made into
the island's mammal fauna and species accounts include all the latest
information.
Supporting chapters cover the island's regions and habitats, threats to
mammals, conservation and important mammal watching sites. There is also
a section covering the bizarre extinct mammal fauna.
Throughout, the book is illustrated with exceptional, high-quality
photography, often featuring species rarely photographed previously.
