The Bottlenose Dolphin: Biology and Conservation

by Reynolds, John Elliott, III

• ISBN13: 9780813017754
• ISBN10: 0813017750
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Florida

Summary

The Bottlenose Dolphin presents for the first time a comprehensive, colorfully illustrated, and concise overview of a species that has fascinated humans for at least 3,000 years.

After reviewing historical myths and legends of the dolphin back to the ancient Greeks and discussing current human attitudes and interactions, the author replaces myths with facts -- up-to-date scientific assessment of dolphin evolution, behavior, ecology, morphology, reproduction, and genetics -- while also tackling the difficult issues of dolphin conservation and management.

Although comprehensive enough to be of great value to professionals, educators, and students, the book is written in a manner that all dolphin lovers will enjoy. Randall Wells's anecdotes interspersed throughout the work offer a firsthand view of dolphin encounters and research based on three decades working with them. Color photographs and nearly 100 black and white illustrations, including many by National Geographic photographer Flip Nicklin, beautifully enhance the text.

Readers of The Bottlenose Dolph

Author Biography

John E. Reynolds III is professor of marine science at Echerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Table of Contents

List of Figures and Tables	ix
Acknowledgments	xiii
A Crisis at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century?	1	(13)
Bottlenose Dolphins: Special or Not?	14	(10)
Dolphin Evolution: Origins and Outcomes	24	(11)
Function and Structure	35	(50)
Life History Strategies	85	(20)
The Daily Lives of Dolphins	105	(32)
Intelligence and Cognition	137	(13)
Human Interactions with Dolphins	150	(27)
The Stock Question: Lumpers vs. Splitters	177	(8)
Conservation Strategies and Legislation	185	(18)
Glossary	203	(4)
Notes	207	(38)
Bibliography	245	(30)
Index	275