Hoopoe – A blog by nhbs

This isn’t a new book, in fact, it isn’t even a book – Whose Tadpole: The Waterproof Field Guide to Central European Amphibians is a selection of laminated cards that enable the reader to identify 20 species of European amphibians from both adults, larvae and all intermediate life stages – but it is the first time I’ve seen a copy. There are numerous colour photos for each species including key diagnostic features and larvae at different sizes. Keys to both adults and larvae are clearly constructed and a table lists species common names in 11 European languages. The format is pocket-sized and a useful ruler on the edge of every page aids identification.

The species information includes distribution data, general behavioural notes and an excellent description of calls e.g. The Yellow Bellied Toad Bombina variegata: “bright, musical ‘poop…poop…poop’, separated by less than 1sec”.

Highly Recommended! Order now from NHBS Environment Bookstore

A colleague and I watched bats feeding from the 23rd floor of a Barcelona hotel last week. Lit up blue by the neon roof advertising lights they were a magical sight in the centre of the city. Bats are typically considered roosting in caves or old buildings – Bats in Forests: Conservation and Management highlights in-depth the less well known but hugely important interaction between bats and forested areas at a time of alarming decline in the populations of many species.

You may also be interested in Bat Ecology – the classic reference work on bats; the new research on bat migrations in Bat Migrations in Europe; for ecologists and land managers The Bat Workers Manual, Habitat Management for Bats, and The Bat Builder’s Handbook.

Back in January, Nigel, when blogging the excellent Trace Fossils: Concepts, Problems, Prospects mentioned the then forthcoming publication of Trace Fossil Analysis by Crafoord Prize winner and perhaps the world’s most acknowledged expert in the field of trace fossils, Professor Adolf Seilacher. This is now published and in stock at NHBS.

The preface clearly outlines the key aim of this book, as distinct from that of any other on this subject: ‘to confer not knowledge, but skill’. Using this motto the author has designed the book in a way which fosters interpretative skills – using his own exceptionally detailed drawings (see below) as the key resource, which have been arranged in such a way that they make a story and wait for the addition of the reader’s own colourful scribblings.

This book is highly recommended for students, professors, researchers and those non-professionals interested in palaeontology, and especially ichnology.

Some sample plates:

From the depths of the densest forest, of the world’s fourth largest island arises one of the most spectacular limestone landscapes I have ever seen. ‘Like a lost city strecthed out to infinity’ as the author and one of the photographers, David Wolozan so elegantly puts it.

The ‘beauty and mystery’ of Madagascar’s Bemaraha National Park, aptly named the “stone forest” is truly captured by Tsingy – Stone Forest, Madagascar. From the deceiving “Tsingy” topography (from the Malagasy word “mitsingitsigina” or “to walk on tip toe”), where you’ll discover some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth, to the world of forest canyons, caves, karren and mangrove that lies beneath, to the interesting animals that inhabitat these environments, this book details it all with its series of breathtaking photographs and excellent commentary. ‘This book will lead you to their discovery…’

Suitable for all those interested generally in landscapes and landscape photography, to those who would simply like to see why this World Heritage site is fast becoming the most popular natural site in Madagascar, short of visiting it themselves. See the authors’ website (in French) for more details @ www.editionsaltus.com

It’s always a pleasure when a new book arrives in the NHBS office which stands out as being something a little bit special – and Turtles of the World is very much one of those books. There’s no doubt that this is a noticeable step up in terms of both quality and comprehensiveness from previous turtle publications.

The book details the distribution, description, natural history, and protection of all 300 extant species in clear, logical prose with informative photographic illustrations and distribution maps. Although that’s a lot of material for a single volume to tackle in adequate depth, this book certainly does not leave the reader feeling short-changed. In fact, on the contrary, this title will undoubtedly prove to be highly informative to even the most knowledgeable of turtle-lovers. I see no reason why Turtles of the World should not cement a place amongst biologists as the most important book on this subject to date. Surely a modern classic.

It’s no mean feat compiling a comprehensive account of the geographical distribution, population estimate and population growth trends for all 878 species of recognised waterbirds. But, thanks to a team of approximately 15,000 (predominantly volunteer) workers, Wetlands International is honing in on that goal.

This 4th edition of Waterbird Population Estimates is the most thorough account to date of the condition of international waterbird populations, and a new benchmark for conservationists to work from.

The importance of monitoring these species can not be underestimated considering that their prosperity is reflective of the state of numerous wetland habitats across the globe which lie along their migratory flyways. Hats off to Wetlands International and all the volunteers involved in putting this volume together.

This week saw the publication of the latest addition to Harper Collins’ prestigious New Naturalist Series. The book is a definitive natural history of this popular region, revealing the beautiful flora and fauna found in Galloway and the Scottish-English border counties.

Galloway and the Borders continues in the same vein as previous New Naturalist titles, which have built a reputation as visually impressive, high-class books which really engage their reader – exactly what we need to sweep away those winter blues.

NHBS is currently offering massive reductions on both the hardback and paperback versions of this title, so you can enjoy Galloway and the Borders for less.

Trace Fossils: Concepts, Problems, Prospects delivers both a historical perspective to ichnology and a comprehensive manual for the method and application of trace fossil analysis.

Particularly impressive is Stephen T. Hasiotis’ chapter on the distribution of trace fossils – including a wonderfully detailed diagram on p.271 identifying groundwater profiles and associated distribution of trace fossils in time and space, as well as the brilliant figure on p.277 linking organism size, life-cycle presence in substratum with activity.

On the same subject – Trace Fossil Analysis is to be published in March.

I have to confess that (aside from a handful of dusty old memories from school biology textbooks) the finer details of botanical reproduction have always managed to pass me by without much resistance. Much was my surprise, therefore, when I found myself unintentionally making loud exclamations with each turn of the page whilst flicking through Pollen: The Hidden Sexuality of Flowers.

Apparently, far from being microscopic irritants that make me sneeze during the summer, pollen grains are some of the natural world’s most fascinating and beautifully designed objects. Unfortunately, you wouldn’t happen to know this unless you could see the world through a microscope. Thankfully then, photographer Rob Kesseler and leading botanist Madeline Harley have combined their talents to produce a book which reveals a side of nature which you feel genuinely privileged to witness. There is something quite alien about the world around us which is too small to see, and this book manages to capture both the fantasy and the science of that world.

I now realise that if the textbooks I read at school had contained just a modicum of the interest of Pollen, my knowledge of biology would be considerably less dusty. This is an ideal title for all botanists and those just looking for an enjoyable bit of intellectual spring cleaning. Also recommended is Seeds: Time Capsules of Life, which also contains photography by Rob Kesseler.