Handbook of Mammals of the World, Vol. 5: Monotremes and Marsupials

Abstract

Wilson, D. E., and R. A. Mittermeier (eds.). 2015. Handbook of Mammals of the World, Vol. 5: Monotremes and Marsupials . Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, 799 pp. ISBN: 978-84-96553-99-6, price (hard cover), €169.00. Much praise has already been given in reviews of the 4 preceding volumes of Handbook of the Mammals of the World (HMW) for their exceptional high publication quality, the outstanding and up-to-date text, and the great number of beautiful photographs and illustrations of mammals. All of this applies to the latest exquisite offering in this 8-volume series. HMW Volume 5, covering the Monotremes and Marsupials, is an impressive, weighty tome of 799 pages lavishly illustrated with 717 color photographs, 44 color plates, and 375 distribution maps that cover the world’s five monotreme and 350 marsupial species. The book follows the format of the previous volumes; sections reflect classification to Order and a chapter is devoted to each Family (21 in total). Each chapter is subdivided into sections on Systematics, Morphological Aspects, Habitat, General Habits, Communication, Food and Feeding, Breeding, Movement, Home Range and Social Organisation, Relationships with Humans, and Status and Conservation. Each chapter also includes one or more color plates of all extant species, followed by a detailed treatment of each species. The latter resembles the format common to field guides, with a distribution map for each species, and useful notes on its physical description, activity patterns, habitat, food and feeding, and other valuable information. However, unlike a field guide—at 31×24cm, and nearly 6 kg—this “handbook” won’t conveniently fit in your pocket or daypack. So while it doesn’t replace your favorite field guide, it certainly complements it greatly. The text is both easy to read and informative. The main body of each chapter tends to be a general overview of the systematics, biology, and … Ecosystem Management, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia; e-mail: kvernes{at}une.edu.au.