The Lawrence Jacobsen Library
Books Received (Primate-Science/PrimateLit)

THE KINGDON POCKET GUIDE TO AFRICAN MAMMALS

By Jonathan Kingdon
(Taken from the Introduction)
As we are ever more frequently reminded of the finite nature of natural 
ecosystems and their fragile complexity, Africa's uniquely rich 
'biodiversity' has become a byword.  That biodiversity happens to include us.
It is with this deeper sense of involvement and intensity of interest that 
the work of homegrown authors, such as myself, has begun to appear, but our 
efforts are part of an urgent effort to understand and interpret the 
richest and most complex array of mammals in the world.  Much of this 
urgency is driven by the need to conserve species and communities that are 
being needlessly exterminated but there is also a pressing need to include 
mammals in our view of Africa's past, present and future.  For example, the 
discovery of an ancient and uniquely African radiation of mammals, dubbed 
the 'Afrotheria,' has only just begun to receive the recognition it deserves.
The Afrotheria includes seven very different classes of animals, ranging 
from the very largest elephants, to the near smallest, golden moles.  That 
such astonishing contrasts should exist within a single radiation can be 
partially explained by Afrotheria's near-monopoly of Africa during the 
earliest years of mammalian evolution and the absence of competing mammal 
lineages during our continent's prolonged geological isolation.
We live in a time of unprecedented accumulation of knowledge.  Each year we 
learn more about living and extinct animals, about pre-history, human 
origins and processes that govern our past, present and future.  From this 
cascade of new discovery has come the awareness that the survival of other 
animals is not entirely detached from our own.  As more people gain the 
ability and leisure to see African wildlife, their pleasure, interest and 
awe may be heightened by an awareness that what they are seeing would have 
been a familiar aspect of the existence of their ancestors, from ancient 
hominids to recent hunter-gathers.  As we come to understand how human 
beings have evolved within African natural communities we can gain a 
perspective on ourselves as an inextricable part of mammalian life on 
earth.  This, surely, adds a new incentive to the joys of learning about 
African mammals.
(From the Princeton University Press online catalog entry)
This is an essential guide for anyone with an interest in wildlife who 
visits Africa--from the tourist on safari to the more experienced 
naturalist. Compact and beautifully illustrated, it is ideal for use in the 
field, while its coverage is the most comprehensive for any book of its size.
*          First pocket guide to cover every species of terrestrial African mammal
*          Adapted from the highly acclaimed Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals
*          Fully illustrated with the author's superb color artwork
*          Easy-to-read distribution maps
*          Concise text and clear layout for quick, easy reference
*          Practical format makes it ideal for use in the field
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
(Taken from the Princeton University Press online catalog entry)
Jonathan Kingdon is one of the world's foremost authorities on the mammals 
of Africa, and also a highly acclaimed artist. American Scientist listed 
Kingdon's East African Mammals: An Atlas of Evolution in Africa as "one of 
a hundred books that shaped science in the twentieth century." This pocket 
guide has been adapted from his classic Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals.
CONTENTS
Preface, page 6
Introduction, page 7
How to Use this Guide, page 8
The African Environment, page 9
Evolution in Africa, page 18
Mammals, page 20
PRIMATES
Primates, page 21
Apes, page 22
Colobid Monkeys, page 26
Cheek-pouch Monkeys, page 34
Lorisids, page 58
Galagos or Bushbabies, page 60
BATS
Bats, page 68
Fruit Bats, page 68
Insect Bats, page 74
INSECTIVORES
Insectivores, page 88
Hedgehogs, page 88
Shrews, page 90
HARES
Hares, page 94
RODENTS
Rodents, page 98
Squirrels, page 98
Anomalures, page 112
Spring Hare, page 116
Gundis, page 116
Dormice, page 116
Blesmols (Mole-rats), page 118
Root-rats, page 118
Porcupines, page 120
Cane-rats, page 120
Dassie Rat, page 122
Jerboas, page 122
Specialised Rat-like Rodents, page 122
Murid Rats and Mice, page 132
CARNIVORES
Carnivores, page 142
Dogs and Allies, page 142
Mustelids (Weasels and Allies), page 148
Otters, page 150
Mongooses, page 152
Hyaenas, page 162
Genets and Civets, page 164
African Palm Civet, page 168
Cats, page 170
SCALY ANT-EATERS
Scaly Ant-Eaters, page 176
AFROTHERIA
Afrotheria, page 178
Aardvark, page 178
Golden Moles, page 178
Elephant Shrews, page 182
Otter Shrews, page 186
Hyraxes, page 188
Elephants, page 190
ODD-TOED UNGULATES
Odd-Toed Ungulates, page 192
Horses (Zebras and Wild Ass), page 192
Rhinoceroses, page 198
EVEN-TOED UNGULATES
Even-Toed Ungulates, page 200
Hippopotamuses, page 200
Pigs, page 202
Chevrotains, page 206
Deer, page 206
Giraffes, page 206
Oxen (Buffalo), page 210
Spiral-horned Bovines (Bushbuck and Allies), page 212
Duikers, page 220
Dwarf Antelopes, page 228
Dikdiks, page 232
Rhebok, page 234
Reduncine Antelopes (Reedbucks and Kobs), page 234
Gazellas, page 238
Impala, page 244
Alcelaphine Antelopes (Wildebeest and Allies), page 244
Horse-like Antelopes (Oryx and Allies), page 252
Sheep and Goats, page 256
Further Reading, page 258
Glossary, page 259
Scientific Name Index, page 264
English Name Index, page 269
HOW TO ORDER
Princeton University Press
41 William Street
Princeton, NJ 08540-5237
Paperback $24.95
ISBN: 0-691-12239-3
Direct link to Princeton University Press website: 
http://pup.princeton.edu/
Direct link to online catalog entry: 
http://pup.princeton.edu/titles/7941.html
Posted Date: 01/28/05