Evolution of Island Mammals: Adaptation and Extinction of Placental Mammals on Islands

Island mammals have evolved differently from mainland mammals due to isolation, leading to the evolution of unique species like pig-sized elephants and hippos, giant rats, and gorilla-sized lemurs. Evolution of Island Mammals, Second Edition, provides an updated and expanded overview of fossil island mammals, covering evolutionary processes and biology, with new material on the island rule, theoretical chapters, taxonomic information, and body size indices. Written for graduate students and researchers in evolutionary biology, palaeontology, biogeography, zoology, and ecology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 576 pages
Publication date: 13 May 2021
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Evolution on islands stands as a distinct and captivating realm, showcasing a multitude of evolutionary processes that differ markedly from their mainland counterparts. Throughout millions of years of isolation, islands have served as a breeding ground for extraordinary and occasionally bizarre mammals, giving rise to creatures like pig-sized elephants, hippos, giant rats, and gorilla-sized lemurs. These remarkable adaptations would have posed formidable challenges to their mainland ancestors.

In their comprehensive work, Evolution of Island Mammals, Second Edition, authors John Hutchinson and colleagues present an up-to-date and expanded exploration of the global fossil record of island mammals, spanning from the Oligocene to the dawn of the Holocene. This authoritative text delves into the intricate mechanisms of evolution and key aspects of insular mammal biology, exemplified by a diverse array of fossil species.

For readers familiar with the first edition, this second edition offers a wealth of revised and enhanced content. Among these additions are:

An entirely new chapter dedicated to the island rule, shedding light on the unique ecological dynamics and evolutionary processes that characterize islands.

Updated and expanded theoretical chapters, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the evolution of island mammals.

Enhanced and updated taxonomic information, ensuring accurate identification and classification of fossil species.

Extensive coverage of recent discoveries, highlighting the ongoing exploration and unearthing of new insights into the evolution of island mammals.

Body masses or body size indices for the majority of extinct island mammals, providing valuable quantitative data for comparative analyses.

New figures and visualizations that vividly depict the richness and diversity of the fossil record, enhancing the reader's understanding of the evolutionary history of island mammals.

Written with a clear and accessible style, this textbook is tailored for advanced graduate-level students and professional researchers in the fields of evolutionary biology, paleontology, biogeography, zoology, and ecology. It serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to delve deeper into the captivating world of island mammals and their remarkable adaptations.

Weight: 1304g
Dimension: 250 x 178 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781119675730
Edition number: 2nd Edition