Welsh Peregrine
Well-known member
I know I ordered at the last moment, and got my copy of HMW2 yesterday in UK from Lynx, so there shouldn't be much more frustration out there. Sorry Mysticete!
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HMW Handbook of the Mammals of the World (7 Viewers)
- Thread starter Swissboy
- Start date
danigirl93
New member
Thank you guys for all your help! I appreciate it! Unfortunately I still haven't been able to order them, I tried a different card and a friend tried their card for me, but no such luck.
swamp_rattler
Well-known member
http://www.nhbs.com/a_field_guide_to_the_carnivores_of_the_tefno_179534.html&tab_tag=album
No, not the same plates...a completely different book indeed. The plates look pretty darn good to me.
No, not the same plates...a completely different book indeed. The plates look pretty darn good to me.
jurek
Well-known member
There are details there:
http://press.princeton.edu/titles/9532.html
Remark on 100+ pictures of footprints is interesting. I hope also for pictures of scats and other signs. And discussion of confusion species, including non-carnivores.
Carnivores are surprisingly very difficult in the wild, with second-long views of things crossing the trail, or eyeshine in the darkness. See for example famous unknown civet-turned flying squirrel photos from Borneo.
Looking forward to this book
http://press.princeton.edu/titles/9532.html
Remark on 100+ pictures of footprints is interesting. I hope also for pictures of scats and other signs. And discussion of confusion species, including non-carnivores.
Carnivores are surprisingly very difficult in the wild, with second-long views of things crossing the trail, or eyeshine in the darkness. See for example famous unknown civet-turned flying squirrel photos from Borneo.
Looking forward to this book
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twilighter
Active member
Felis bieti is still full species and Andean olingo story seems unresolved. Taxonomy almost equals HMW1( missing Genetta felina split + disputed Olingos)
Unfortunately, no range maps, apparently? But then, those in HMW don't include introduced ranges and thus are often rather incomplete anyway. So a book with complete ranges easily shown (not to be deciphered from the text) would be what I'd like.
Mysticete
Well-known member
A lot of introduced populations of mammals are rather localized, often ephemeral, and many sort of straddle the line between wild and free-ranging captive. While introduced ranges are appropriate for the rats and a select few others, I think they would be difficult to apply to many others.
An example is Chital. There are established populations in Hawaii, Florida, and California. But all are really small, and to show them all would be using a global map...which would decrease resolution in their home range.
An example is Chital. There are established populations in Hawaii, Florida, and California. But all are really small, and to show them all would be using a global map...which would decrease resolution in their home range.
I agree with your basic objections. But not showing Racoon in Europe is pretty stupid, nevertheless. As I just received my Vol.2, I notice they try at least some compromise. Introductions into former ranges are shown, at least in some cases (I have only leafed through the book to check whether it's complete and without printing problems). And those populations may be just as ephemeral at times. Plus, there are "old introductions" shown such as Dromedary Camel in Australia, if I got that right. So where to draw the limit, as well? Has Wild Boar been less long in North America than Dromedary Camel in Australia? It is not mapped. But should I care if a population is well established just how long it has been in a certain area?
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birdboybowley
Well-known member.....apparently so ;)
Wouldn't 'Holy Cow' probably be more pertinent there Morgan?
swamp_rattler
Well-known member
Mysticete: Ooooh...forgot to update. Yes, I received mine on October 7th. Not surprising as I'm a bit closer I guess. I've been so busy I've barely gotten a chance to look at it! Looks wonderfully done though
I did see that the African Elephant has been divided into two species. I was well-aware of these different populations but still slightly surprised to see them split. But I'm just a nature nut and haven't at all followed taxonomy so maybe this is old news!
I did see that the African Elephant has been divided into two species. I was well-aware of these different populations but still slightly surprised to see them split. But I'm just a nature nut and haven't at all followed taxonomy so maybe this is old news!
Welsh Peregrine
Well-known member
Still mulling over, but disappointed in the inconsistencies in splitting eg Bovids v Giraffes, and the lack of evidence seemingly given for the approaches taken. Perhaps fewer jaw-dropping photos than HBW.
lewis20126
Well-known member
The inconsistencies will always be the case where different families are authored by different specialists; the same was true of HBW. Compare the fairly radical, ground-breaking approach by Collar and Robson on "babblers" with much more traditional approaches to most other groups. I find it pretty refreshing than HBW/HMW are used as vehicles for leading edge taxonomic reviews, rather than a rehash of the status quo.
cheers, alan
Same impression here, fine but not extraordinary photos, most of the time.
Mysticete
Well-known member
My thoughts:
Things I liked: Overall I was pretty happy with the photos. I thought they had a nice balance of rare and common taxa, and showcased most of the range of behaviors nicely. The illustrations were great. The taxonomy was overall consistent (with the exception of the Bovidae), incorporating new discoveries and findings, but staying somewhat conservative. Some sections were incredibly well written; the Rhino conservation section is probably one of the most concise and well written accounts I have read of the problems for the group.
Things that I didn't like: Some plates seemed a little too packed, especially the Horse plate, which I think would have worked better as two plates, one for zebras and one for everything else. This volume seemed to do a little worse than previous volumes as far as geographic variation. I would have liked to have seen more illustrated forms for White-tailed Deer (where is Key Deer?) and the Collared Peccary. At times the taxonomy seems a little too conservative, especially the approach towards subspecies.
The different chapters also were rather uneven in what they covered. Some sections give a good synopsis of the fossil record, others completely ignore it. The humans and pigs portion is really most about humans and pigs in southeast asia. etc.
Finally, the Bovid section. I think some of these splits will stand the test of time (depending on your view of species concepts), while I think others are premature. Also the reasoning behind many wasn't really presented very well. It seems the authors wish the reader to refer to the Ungulate Taxonomy book, but this hasn't even been published yet!
Things I liked: Overall I was pretty happy with the photos. I thought they had a nice balance of rare and common taxa, and showcased most of the range of behaviors nicely. The illustrations were great. The taxonomy was overall consistent (with the exception of the Bovidae), incorporating new discoveries and findings, but staying somewhat conservative. Some sections were incredibly well written; the Rhino conservation section is probably one of the most concise and well written accounts I have read of the problems for the group.
Things that I didn't like: Some plates seemed a little too packed, especially the Horse plate, which I think would have worked better as two plates, one for zebras and one for everything else. This volume seemed to do a little worse than previous volumes as far as geographic variation. I would have liked to have seen more illustrated forms for White-tailed Deer (where is Key Deer?) and the Collared Peccary. At times the taxonomy seems a little too conservative, especially the approach towards subspecies.
The different chapters also were rather uneven in what they covered. Some sections give a good synopsis of the fossil record, others completely ignore it. The humans and pigs portion is really most about humans and pigs in southeast asia. etc.
Finally, the Bovid section. I think some of these splits will stand the test of time (depending on your view of species concepts), while I think others are premature. Also the reasoning behind many wasn't really presented very well. It seems the authors wish the reader to refer to the Ungulate Taxonomy book, but this hasn't even been published yet!
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