Bats of Puerto Rico: An Island Focus and a Caribbean Perspective

Abstract

M. R. Gannon, A. Kurta, A. Rodriquez-Duran, M. R. Willig. 2005. Bats of Puerto Rico: An Island Focus and a Caribbean Perspective. Texas Tech Press, Lubbock,239 pages. ISBN 13-978-0-89672-551-5 (paper), $25. Designed to be a field guide, reference for the general public, and scientifically provocative for researchers, Bats of Puerto Rico: an island focus and a Caribbean perspective holds its own in all these categories. Three main sections make up two-thirds of the book and include descriptions of Puerto Rican ecosystems, a “primer” on the biology of bats, and detailed descriptions of 13 species of bats on Puerto Rico. The last one-third of the book comprises useful appendices that include keys to adult bats of Puerto Rico, a list of plants used as food by bats, average body measurements of bats, cranial measurements, ectoparasites of bats from Puerto Rico, chromosomal characters, technical and common names of plants and animals mentioned in the text, and a gazetteer with maps. Together with these appendices are a glossary, an index, and an extensive list of literature cited. All 4 authors are extremely qualified and well-prepared to put such a guide together. Michael Gannon has been working on the island …