| A Guide to the Mammals of China | 
 enlarge | Creators: Andrew T. Smith, Yan Xie, Robert S. Hoffmann, Darrin Lunde, John Mackinnon, Don E. Wilson, W. Chris Wozencraft
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Category: Book
List Price: $60.00
Buy New: $42.00
You Save: $18.00 (30%)
New (30) Used (4) from $39.67
Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 102411
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 576
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.1
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.6
ISBN: 0691099847
Dewey Decimal Number: 599.0951
EAN: 9780691099842
ASIN: 0691099847
Publication Date: March 2, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
China's stunning diversity of natural habitats--from parched deserts to lush tropical forests--is home to more than 10 percent of the world's mammal species. A Guide to the Mammals of China is the most comprehensive guide to all 556 species of mammals found in China. It is the only single-volume reference of its kind to fully describe the physical characteristics, geographic distribution, natural history, and conservation status of every species. An up-to-date distribution map accompanies each species account, and color plates illustrate a majority of species. Written by a team of leading specialists, including Professor Wang Sung who provides a history of Chinese mammalogy, A Guide to the Mammals of China is the ideal reference for researchers and a delight for anyone interested in China's rich mammal fauna. - The definitive, comprehensive, up-to-date guide to all of China's 556 mammal species
- High-quality color plates accompany the detailed text
- Each species account comes with a distribution map
- Organized taxonomically for easy reference
- Includes an extensive bibliography
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| Customer Reviews:
Another great guide from the Princeton Press June 29, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The introduction to this excellent guide indicates its importance to anyone interested in animals, and in particular mammals:
"The topography of China ranges from the highest elevation on Earth (Mt. Everest or Chomolung ma; 8,850 m) to one of the lowest (Turpan Pendi; 154 m below sea level). Chinese environments include some of Earth's most extensive and driest deserts (the Taklimakan and Gobi) and its highest plateau (the Tibetan Plateau or "Roof of the World"). Habitats range from tropical to boreal forest, and from extensive grasslands to desert. This wide variety of habitats has contributed greatly to the richness of China's mammal fauna. Additionally, the geographic location of China, at the suture zone between the Palaearctic and Indo-Malayan biogeographic regions , further contributes to the country's mammal diversity. Overall, more than 10 percent (556) of the world's species of mammal live in China .... In their analysis of megadiversity countries, Mittermeier et al. (1997) consider China to have the third highest diversity of mammals among all countries (following Brazil and Indonesia)." [This text is taken from the first chapter of the book as it is presented on the Princeton Press website at press.princeton .]
The Introduction continues with a very interesting history of mammals and the study of mammals in China over the centuries. There is also an excellent bibliography. The production values of this book are excellent, consistent with those in Princeton's recently released A Guide to the Mammals of Southeast Asia.
This is a wonderful book for exploring mammals either in China itself or at home in your study.
Robert C. Ross 2008
Naturalist in China April 4, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
This is one of the best field guides I have ever seen. The plates (61 plates)are beautifully illustrated and very accurate. Even though it will be a few years before I visit China, I wanted to purchase this field guide to become familiar with their mammals and where to find them. Besides wonderful illustrations of the mammals, the text is filled with great information. Each species account is accompanied with a range map showing the distribution of that mammal. Under the mammal's name is included the Chinese script of the mammal and an English translation of what that script sounds like. This is an ingenious inclusion, because for travelers looking for specific mammals, they only need to point to the script and people can help them. The text also includes taxonomic keys to assist in identifying mammals that are closely related. About the only thing that I didn't like was the fact that it only comes in hardcover. This is a personal thing because all of my other field guides are paperback, which makes them lighter to carry while traveling. But even with the hardcover, this field guide is a wonderful resource and learning tool for the mammals of China.
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