The Primate Family Tree: The Amazing Diversity of Our Closest Relatives

Pay with

About The Primate Family Tree: The Amazing Diversity Of

Product Description Apes, monkeys, lemurs -- and other family members. The Primate Family Tree is a beautiful and comprehensive resource on the subject of our animal relatives. Readers will find an abundance of up-to-date facts, review the latest research and conservation efforts, and discover the remarkable characteristics that all primates -- including humans -- share. The book is structured according to the four main branches of the primate family tree and contains expert information on the natural history, characteristics and behavior of over 250 species, along with maps showing the ranges of the species. Some of the topics covered are: Definition of a primate Darwin's big idea, anthropological theories, DNA The structure of the primate family tree Distribution of species, including lorises and lemurs Diet, habitat, life cycles, social structure, communication Primate emotions Primates as "gardeners of the forest" Issues involving conservation, bush meat, civil war, habitat loss Primate tourism: Does it help or hurt? With its authoritative text, color photographs taken in the field, range maps and classification diagrams, The Primate Family Tree is a comprehensive reference on a subject that is vitally important to all humans. From Booklist It can be unnerving to meet the gaze of a primate, be it a tiny tarsier or the largest gorilla, and realize a sense of kinship. As biologist Redmond states, the viewer “will realize that there is a quizzical mind at work behind those big brown eyes.” Getting to know the other members of the primate family, a diverse and very successful order of mammals, can indeed be an eye-opening experience. Primates range in size from the tiny mouse lemurs and pygmy marmosets to the giant gorillas and humans, but all share the same characteristics of binocular vision, grasping hands with opposable thumbs, and large brains. Redmond, who studied gorillas with Dian Fossey and now works to protect the great apes, presents a guide to the 270-odd species of primates in this beautifully illustrated guide to our kin. After explaining what a primate is, including distribution, social structure, diet and communication, the author discusses human–other primate interactions and conservation. Each profile of a primate species includes range maps and species lists (including conservation status). --Nancy Bent Review A portrait of lemurs, monkeys, apes and others, with color photographs and a foreword by Jane Goodall. ( Science News 2008-10-11) This book offers an up-to-date, comprehensive, appealing introduction to the great diversity of primates. The foreword by Jane Goodall sets the stage for informative reading about primates, emphasizing the destruction of the forest ecosystems around the world. Putting forth the idea that each of us can make a difference, she urges readers to visit primate habitats and do whatever possible to preserve those habitats. The book is beautifully designed, and the contents are well organized and will be interesting to all. Wonderful colored photographs of primates and location maps make the reader want to visit all the sites.... Overall, this is a very attractive, interesting, and informative publication. The print size is smaller than one might like, but it is clear and each page is a delight to read. This book would be an excellent text for a relevant course or a welcome addition to any home library. I recommend it very highly. (Marvin Druger, Syracuse University Science Books and Films 2009-04-01) Attractively illustrated.... excellent photographs on almost every page.... Primate Family Tree is not a book for primatologists, but it provides a great introduction to primates and their evolution for students and the general public. It would be a very good purchase for a high school, academic, and public libraries. (Diane Schmidt American Reference Book Annual) Redmond, who studied gorillas with Dian Fossey and now works to protect the great apes, presents a gu