Reference Reviews

Lawrence Looks at Books

Mammal Anatomy: an illustrated guide. 287p. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2010. 978-0-7614-7882-9; 2009-11440. $69.95.

This comparative guide to the biology of mammals focuses on 14 dramatically different species. Chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, lions and zebras demonstrate the diversity of Africa. Grizzly bears, wolves and squirrels represent more temperate climates. Dolphins, manatees, gray whales and seals illustrate the adaptations of mammals to marine environments. Kangaroos are examined for their unique adaptations to the severely dry environments of Australia. Humans provide a point of comparison for all. Each entry begins with a discussion of the species’ place in the family of animals. The distinctive features of each animal’s external anatomy are examined. So too are the characteristics of their skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, digestive, and reproductive systems. Sidebars highlight evolutionary changes, similarities to related animals, and the functions of uniquely adapted features. Stunning photographs illustrate typical behaviors, and full-color drawings diagram major body systems. While the uniform approach emphasizes shared characteristics, the text tends to focus on the specialized adaptations each species developed in order to meet the demands of their particular habitats. Most material in this volume was extracted from the multivolume Animal and Plant Anatomy (Marshall Cavendish, 2006). Libraries owning that set are not likely to need this volume. Others will find a well-illustrated, entertaining and informative guide for interested high school students.