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The Wild Cat Book: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Cats de Fiona Sunquist

The Wild Cat Book: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Cats

Autor Fiona Sunquist, Mel Sunquist Fotograf Terry Whittaker
en Limba Engleză Hardback – 2 oct 2014

În cadrul programelor de studiu dedicate zoologiei vertebratelor și ecologiei mamiferelor, studiul felidelor reprezintă un capitol esențial pentru înțelegerea evoluției prădătorilor de top. The Wild Cat Book se încadrează în acest context academic nu doar ca un compendiu taxonomic, ci ca o sinteză modernă a biologiei și conservării. Notăm cu interes modul în care autorii reușesc să echilibreze rigoarea științifică a editurii University of Chicago Press cu o prezentare vizuală de excepție, susținută de fotografiile lui Terry Whittaker.

Structura volumului urmărește o progresie logică, bazată pe liniile genetice — de la linia Panthera (leul, jaguarul, tigrul) până la felinele mici, precum linia pisicii domestice sau a pisicii nisipurilor. Această organizare reflectă cele mai noi date filogenetice, oferind cititorului o imagine clară asupra modului în care s-au diversificat aceste specii. Găsim în această carte o extindere a cadrului propus de Wild Cats of the World de Luke Hunter, aducând date noi din teren și o analiză aprofundată a comportamentului, precum explicațiile despre funcția senzorială a mustăților sau adaptările arboricole ale margay-ului.

Această lucrare reprezintă o evoluție în opera autorilor Fiona Sunquist și Mel Sunquist. Dacă în Tiger Moon aceștia ofereau o perspectivă narativă și poetică asupra studiului tigrilor în Nepal, în volumul de față adoptă o abordare enciclopedică, integrând hărți de distribuție și date actualizate IUCN. Rezultatul este un instrument de referință care documentează atât biologia fascinantă a celor 37 de specii, cât și realitatea sumbră a declinului populațiilor de lei africani sau a speciilor rare, oferind o perspectivă holistică asupra supraviețuirii felinelor într-o lume dominată de om.

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Specificații

ISBN-13: 9780226780269
ISBN-10: 0226780260
Pagini: 280
Ilustrații: 137 color plates, 34 halftones, 1 line drawing
Dimensiuni: 203 x 254 x 25 mm
Greutate: 1.13 kg
Editura: University of Chicago Press
Colecția University of Chicago Press

De ce să citești această carte

Această carte este recomandată studenților la biologie și pasionaților de zoologie care caută o sursă de referință riguroasă. Cititorul câștigă o înțelegere profundă a diversității felinelor, dincolo de speciile iconice, beneficiind de date actualizate despre conservare și fotografii rare de teren. Este un volum esențial pentru a înțelege adaptările evolutive complexe care au transformat felinele în prădători de succes.

Despre autor

Fiona Sunquist este o scriitoare de popularizare a științei cu o vastă experiență în documentarea vieții sălbatice, colaborând la numeroase publicații și proiecte multimedia. Alături de Mel Sunquist, a petrecut ani de zile în cercetare de teren, experiență reflectată în lucrările lor anterioare, precum studiul tigrilor din Nepal descris în Tiger Moon sau ghidurile de observare a naturii precum Florida (Traveller's Wildlife Guides). Expertiza sa combină observația comportamentală cu rigoarea științifică, transformând datele complexe în texte accesibile publicului larg.

Descriere scurtă

From the ancient Egyptian cat goddess, Bastet, to the prophet Muhammad’s favorite cat, Muezza, and our contemporary obsession with online cat videos, felines have long held a place of honor in their human counterparts’ homes and cultures. But the domestic cat is just one of many feline species, and in The Wild Cat Book cat experts Fiona and Mel Sunquist introduce us to the full panoply of the purring, roaring feline tribe.

Illustrated throughout with Terry Whittaker’s spectacular color photographs as well as unique photos from biologists in the field—some the highest quality images ever captured of exceptionally rare species—The Wild Cat Book not only tantalizes with the beauty of cats, but also serves as a valuable and accessible reference on cat behavior and conservation. Comprehensive entries for each of the thirty-seven cat species include color distribution maps and up-to-date information related to the species’ IUCN conservation and management statuses, while informative sidebars reveal why male lions have manes (and why dark manes are sexiest), how cats see with their whiskers, the truth behind our obsession with white lions and tigers, and why cats can’t be vegetarians. The Wild Cat Book also highlights the grave threats faced by the world’s wild cats—from habitat destruction to human persecution.

From the extraordinary acrobatics of the arboreal margay—able to cling to a tree branch by a single paw thanks to its unusually flexible ankles—to modern declines in African lion populations, The Wild Cat Book is an instructive and revealing ode to felines of every size and color. Combining science, behavioral observations, and stunning photography, this book will captivate cat fanciers the world over.

Notă biografică

Fiona Sunquist is a science writer. Her work appears in print, interactive multimedia, and on websites; she is the author of five books and numerous popular articles. Mel Sunquist is professor emeritus in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Together they are the authors of Florida: The Ecotravellers’ Wildlife Guide, Tiger Moon: Tracking the Great Cats in Nepal, and Wild Cats of the World, the latter two published by the University of Chicago Press. They live in Florida. Terry Whittaker is a UK-based photographer specializing in wildlife conservation and the environment. He lives in Kent.

Cuprins

Introduction
Panthera Lineage
Lion
Jaguar
Tiger
Snow Leopard
Leopard
Clouded Leopard
Bay Cat Lineage
Bay Cat
Marbled Cat
Asiatic Golden Cat
Caracal Lineage
Serval
Caracal
African Golden Cat
Ocelot Lineage
Ocelot
Margay
Geoffroy’s Cat
Guiña
Andean Cat
Oncilla
Pampas Cat
Lynx Lineage
Eurasian Lynx
Iberian Lynx
Canada Lynx
Bobcat
Puma Lineage
Cheetah
Puma
Jaguarundi
Leopard Cat Lineage
Pallas’s Cat
Fishing Cat
Leopard Cat
Flat-Headed Cat
Rusty-Spotted Cat
Domestic Cat Lineage
Domestic Cat
Black-Footed Cat
Wildcats
Sand Cat
Jungle Cat
Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Additional Readings
Illustration Credits
Index

Recenzii

“The cat family tree, DNA studies have shown, contains a total of thirty-seven species in eight related groups. All thirty-seven species are included here, complete with photos and maps showing the location of their natural habitats. Bizarrely, though, there’s no mention of lolcats. . .”

“A definitive reference on the thirty-six species of wild cats of the world, some of which will be unfamiliar to many readers. The accounts of each species, accompanied by outstanding photographs and large distribution maps, are arranged in eight groups, from the largest cats in the oldest lineage, Panthera, through bay cat, caracal, ocelot, lynx, puma, leopard, and the most recent, the domestic cat lineages. Each account includes physical characteristics, range, habitat, social and hunting behavior, and other fascinating information not easily accessed elsewhere. Side boxes provide interesting insights into feline natural history outside of what is presented in the species accounts. An extensive bibliography for each species provides sources of additional information for interested readers. The clearly written text and attractive layout of photographs make this book a valuable resource for both academic and public libraries. . . . Highly recommended.”

“The authors use a hyperabundance of color photographs to punctuate the pages of The Wild Cat Book. The images are bold, colorful, and large in size that result in a unique experience for readers and distinguish this volume from other treatments of the felids. The images are often incorporated into informational boxes within the account that address key topics, behaviors, or unique features of the species. For instance, the authors explore the significance of white tigers, why cats are obligate carnivores, the status of the jaguar in North America, and the use of livestock guard dogs to conserve cats. These half- to full-page insets explore an extremely diverse array of topics and provide great depth to the book and keep readers turning pages to see what topic will be included in the next species account. The Wild Cat Book appears at first glance to be a routine taxon-oriented treatment, but upon opening the volume, one is pleasantly surprised to find that it is more than a compilation of species accounts that serves solely as reference material. The text provides insight into what makes the Felidae unique and helps to explain our inordinate fondness with members of the family.”

“After reading dozens of books about these powerful predators over the last six months, my children have finally discovered the Bible of wild cats. Gorgeous photos accompany this 280 page in-depth discussion of these fascinating creatures. If you have a child who is ready to make the jump from wild cat fan to major enthusiast, this is the book.”

“Domestic cats are family members in millions of homes. To what extent do they still reflect their wild ancestors, species that range in size from the majestic tiger to the diminutive sand cat? Read The Wild Cat Book and find out. It is the most authoritative source on every kind of cat.”

"A beautifully illustrated and eminently readable book, The Wild Cat Book by Fiona and Mel Sunquist is the best primer out there to delve into the evolution, survival, and status of the world’s wild cats. Presenting the species according to their ancestral history, or lineages, the Sunquists share their extensive knowledge and experience to open up the remarkable and diverse world of cats in an interesting yet substantive manner. It is the rare book that could be used both as bedtime reading for a child, as well as a reference volume for a college student. This is such a book.”

“Wild Cats of the World had been the sanctuary's favorite resource book for all things feline, but after reading The Wild Cat Book by Fiona and Mel Sunquist, I know we have a new favorite resource. The images are so stunning that it was hard to put the book down, but where it really stands out, from all other books about exotic cat species, is in the depth of research and thought that went into covering such issues as white lions, white tigers, ligers, and hybrids. This is a book that we will use and enjoy for years to come.”

“The cats of the world are among the most captivating and charismatic of all creatures. From the mighty lion to the diminutive sand cat, each possesses the feline attributes of stealth, grace, and beauty. This marvelous book showcases the world’s cats in all their compelling diversity.”

"While there are many books about cats, none are like this book. The Wild Cat Book is a pleasure to read. The authors’ enthusiasm and passion for cats comes through in almost every paragraph, and the book should appeal to the largest possible cross section of people. Enhanced with geographic distribution maps and many photographs, The Wild Cat Book is a comprehensive, interesting, enjoyable, and current review of all that we know about members of the great family of cats, the Felidae.”