rdf-syntax-grammar
mods:
  schema location: http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
  title info:
    title: Return to the sea
    sub title: the life and evolutionary times of marine mammals
  name:
    name part: Berta, Annalisa.
    role:
      role term: creator
  type of resource: text
  genre: bibliography
  origin info:
    place:
      place term: cau
    date issued: 2012
    edition: 1st ed.
    issuance: monographic
  language:
    language term: eng
  physical description:
    form: print
    extent: xiii, 205 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm.
  abstract: "Return to the Sea portrays the life and evolutionary times of marine mammals--from giant whales and sea cows that originated 55 million years ago to the deep diving elephant seals and clam-eating walruses of modern times. This fascinating account of the origin of various marine mammal lineages, some extinct, others extant but threatened, is for the non-specialist. Set against a backdrop of geologic time, changing climates, and changing geography, evolution is the unifying principle that helps us to understand the present day diversity of marine mammals and their responses to environmental challenges. Annalisa Berta explains current controversies and explores patterns of change taking place today, such as shifting food webs and predator-prey relationships, habitat degradation, global warming, and the effects of humans on marine mammal communities"--
  abstract: "This book portrays the life and evolutionary times of marine mammals, from giant whales and sea cows that originated 55 million years ago and walked on land, to deep-diving elephant seals and clam-eating walruses of modern times. Some animals like the hippo-sized herbivorous desmostylians and aquatic sloths were evolutionary experiments that did not survive. This fascinating account of the origin of various marine mammal lineages written for the non-specialist is set against a backdrop of geologic time, changing climates, and geography. The thread of evolution runs through the book and helps us to understand the today's diversity of marine mammals and marine-mammal responses to environmental challenges. The story of the evolution of these fascinating animals, their lives and habits, offers a valuable perspective and in some cases lessons for the future. Berta also informs readers about current controversies in the field of marine mammalogy, presenting a balanced view based on careful evaluation and interpretation of the evidence. She explores patterns of change taking place today such as changing food webs and predator-prey relationships, habitat degradation, global warming, and the effects of humans on marine-mammal communities. The future of marine mammals depends on each of us, scientists as well as the informed public, working together to avoid crises before they develop or appropriately managing those that do arise"--
  table of contents: Marine mammals -- Past diversity in time and space, paleoclimates, and paleoecology -- Pinniped diversity, evolution, and adaptations -- Cetartiodactylan diversity, evolution, and adaptations -- Diversity, evolution, and adaptations pf sirenians and other marine mammals -- Ecology and conservation.
  note: Annalisa Berta ; illustrated by James L. Sumich and Carl Buell.
  note: Includes bibliographical references and index.
  subject:
    topic: Marine mammals
    topic: Evolution
  subject:
    topic: SCIENCE
    topic: Life Sciences
    topic: Zoology
    topic: Mammals
  classification: QL713.2 B475 2012
  classification: 599.5/138
  classification: SCI070030
  identifier: 9780520270572 (hardback)
  identifier: 0520270576 (hardback)
  identifier: 2011052056
  record info:
    record content source: DLC
    record creation date: 120120
    record change date: 20151202171025.0
    record identifier: in00002774302
    language of cataloging:
      language term: eng