Otters : Ecology, Behaviour, and Conservation.
Title:
Otters : Ecology, Behaviour, and Conservation.
Author:
Kruuk, H.
ISBN:
9780191513725
Personal Author:
Physical Description:
1 online resource (278 pages)
Contents:
Contents -- 1 Otter ecology and its background -- 2 Pen pictures. Thirteen otters of the world: some natural history -- Europe -- Common or Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra -- North America -- River otter, or North American otter, Lontra canadensis -- Sea otter, Enhydra lutra -- Latin America -- Giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis -- Neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis -- Southern river otter, or huillin, Lontra provocax -- Marine otter, or sea cat, Lontra felina -- Asia -- Hairy-nosed otter, Lutra sumatrana -- Smooth-coated or smooth otter, Lutrogale perspicilata -- Small-clawed otter, Aonyx cinereus -- Africa -- Cape clawless otter, Aonyx capensis -- Congo clawless otter, or swamp otter, Aonyx congicus -- Spotted-necked otter, Lutra maculicollis -- 3 Evolutionary relationships, questions and methods of otter ecology -- Phylogeny and evolution -- Questions of behaviour and ecology of otters -- Research methods and field techniques -- Study areas -- 4 Habitats -- Introduction -- Methods -- Fresh or salt water? -- The aquatic part of the habitat -- Terrestrial habitat along sea coasts -- Terrestrial habitats along fresh water: banks and bogs -- Freshwater habitat in Latin America, Asia and Africa -- Otter habitat: some general comments -- 5 Groups and loners: social organization -- Introduction -- Shetland: organization of Eurasian otters in a marine habitat -- Organization of Eurasian otters in freshwater areas -- Spatial organization of Eurasian otters: some generalizations -- The social system of North American river otters -- Social organization of the sea otter -- Social systems of Latin American otters -- Social organization of otters in Asia -- Otter social systems in Africa -- Social systems of otters: general comments -- Otter dens, or 'holts' -- 6 Scent marking and interactions: social behaviour -- Introduction.
Sprainting behaviour and other scent communication -- Aggressive behaviour -- Sexual behaviour -- Family life and parental behaviour -- Some generalizations on social behaviour of otters -- 7 Diet -- Introduction -- Methods of analysis -- Diet of Eurasian otters in Shetland -- Eurasian otter diet elsewhere -- Quantities and calories consumed by Eurasian otters -- The New World: diet of the river otter -- Diet of the sea otter -- The food of giant otters -- Diets of other Latin American otters -- Diets of otters of Asia -- African otter diets -- Diets: some generalizations and comments -- 8 Resources: about fish and other prey -- Introduction -- Fish numbers and behaviour in Shetland -- Observations of fish behaviour in Shetland -- Trapping and counting fish -- Selection from prey populations in Shetland -- Eurasian otters and prey populations in freshwater habitats -- Effects of Eurasian otters on their prey -- Prey availability for American otters -- Ecosystems, and effects of predation by sea otters -- Prey availability in Asia and Africa -- Conclusions, and global changes in otters' resources -- 9 Otters fishing: hunting behaviour and strategies -- Introduction -- Fishing behaviour of Eurasian otters -- Fishing and foraging by North American otters -- Fishing and foraging by other otter species -- When to feed: time and tide -- Foraging success -- Patch-fishing, prey sites and prey replacement -- Depth of dives -- Energetics of foraging -- The development of foraging behaviour -- Otter foraging: some conclusions -- 10 Thermo-insulation: a limiting factor -- Introduction -- Body temperature -- Thermo-insulation -- Washing in fresh water along sea coasts -- 11 Populations, recruitment and competition -- Introduction -- Populations: numbers, changes and genetic diversity -- Population size -- Gene flow in otter populations.
Otter numbers rejuvenated: recruitment -- Some conclusions on recruitment -- Otters in ecosystems, and competition with other species -- 12 Survival and mortality -- Age structure, life expectancy and rates of mortality -- Causes of mortality: introduction -- Proximate causes of death, and body condition -- Effects of pollution -- Food availability, starvation and population limitation -- Predation on otters -- Some conclusions -- 13 Syntheses: challenges to otter survival -- What is special about otters? -- Habitats -- Foraging -- Social life -- Populations -- Life at the edge of a precipice -- Further research -- 14 Otters, people and conservation -- A changing world -- Otter vulnerabilities -- Otter nuisance -- Exploitation of otters -- To catch an otter -- Reintroductions of otters, and conservation genetics -- Conservation needs of ecosystems -- Conservation of otter species -- References -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- R -- S -- T -- U -- W -- Z.
Abstract:
Otters are highly charismatic and popular animals of very considerable concern to conservationists worldwide. There is a real need for an affordable, well illustrated and appealing text that also contains substantial factual information. This book will build on the reputation of Kruuk's landmark monograph of the European Otter (Wild Otters) published by OUP in 1995. Furthermore, its broader scope to include all otter species should lead to a deeper synthesis that will greatly. expand the book's overall relevance and potential readership. - ;Otters are highly charismatic and popular animals of very considerable concern to conservationists worldwide. Written by the pre-eminent authority in the field, this book builds on the reputation of the author's landmark monograph of the European otter, Wild Otters (OUP, 1995). Furthermore, its broader scope to include all species of otter in North America as well as Europe and elsewhere leads to a deeper synthesis that greatly expands the book's overall relevance and potential. readership. Aimed at naturalists, scientists and conservationists, its personal style and generously illustrated text will appeal to amateurs and professionals alike. It emphasises recent research and conservation management initiatives for all 13 species of otter worldwide, incorporates recent molecular research on taxonomy and population genetics, and discusses the wider implications of otter studies for ecology and conservation biology. As well as enchanting direct observations of the animals, there is guidance about how and where to watch and study them. From otters in the British and American lakes and rivers, to sea otters in the Pacific Ocean, giant otters in the Amazon and other species in Africa and Asia, this book provides an engaging approach to their fascinating existence, to the science needed to understand it, and to the
very real threats to their survival. - ;For a more in-depth look at one of our favourite mammals, Otters, Behaviour and Conservation, by Hans Kruuk is an excellent choice. Kruuk is one of our leading behavioural scientists, and his knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject shine through. - Stephen Moss, The Guardian, Saturday November 25, 2006.
Local Note:
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2017. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.
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