China’s stunning diversity of natural habitats—from parched deserts to lush tropical forests—is home to more than 10 percent of the world’s mammal species. A Guide to the Mammals of China is the most comprehensive guide to all 556 species of mammals found in China. It is the only single-volume reference of its kind to fully describe the physical characteristics, geographic distribution, natural history, and conservation status of every species. An up-to-date distribution map accompanies each species account, and color plates illustrate a majority of species. Written by a team of leading specialists, including Professor Wang Sung who provides a history of Chinese mammalogy, A Guide to the Mammals of China is the ideal reference for researchers and a delight for anyone interested in China’s rich mammal fauna.
- The definitive, comprehensive, up-to-date guide to all of China’s 556 mammal species
- High-quality color plates accompany the detailed text
- Each species account comes with a distribution map
- Organized taxonomically for easy reference
- Includes an extensive bibliography
Andrew T. Smith is the Parents Association Professor of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. Yan Xie is associate research professor in the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Robert S. Hoffmann, now retired, was director of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. Darrin Lunde is collections manager in the Department of Mammalogy at the American Museum of Natural History. John MacKinnon is a zoologist and writer whose many books include A Field Guide to the Birds of China. Don E. Wilson is curator of mammals at the National Museum of Natural History. W. Chris Wozencraft (1953-2007) was professor of biology at Bethel College. Federico Gemma, based in Rome, is a wildlife artist and freelance natural-history illustrator.
"Now, for the first time, the natural history of all 556 of China's known mammals has been brought together in this impressive tome. This title represents a major achievement of international collaboration, and will be an invaluable tool in future research and conservation. It's also an important addition to any wildlife book collection."—Kathryn Jeffs, BBC Wildlife Magazine
"This volume, the labor of authors Hoffmann, Darrin Lunde, John MacKinnon, and Don E. Wilson and superb illustrator Federico Gemma, also benefits from the contributions of the two editors and Wang Sung and W. Chris Wozencraft. It is the most comprehensive single-volume reference to China's mammals and perhaps to those of Asia as well. . . . It is difficult to overestimate the usefulness of this outstanding book—not only for naturalists and mammalogists, but also for all conservation-minded people who are very concerned about the struggle for China's 1.3 billion people, with their often-disastrous culinary and pharmacological habits, and that country's precious wildlife."—F.S. Szalay, Choice
"Finally [China] now has a decent guide to the mammals. . . . The book has a great introductory section covering geography, the history of mammalogy in China, and conservation. This includes some useful maps and photographs. The text consists of the typical sections on characteristics, distribution, natural history, additional comments, and status. I was pleased to find this information is current and honest. . . . The artwork is by Federico Gemma of Italy and is top quality. . . . This is a much needed guide and it will be indispensable for naturalists and mammalogists for years to come."—Roy John, Canadian Field Naturalist
"[T]he Smith and Xie volume . . . will no doubt be adopted quickly as the gold standard by those working on Chinese mammals. . . . As a reference book, it should be on the shelf not only of practicing mammalogists and those with interest in China, but indeed of anyone with a passing interest in the mammalian fauna of this magnificent and complex country."—Richard B. Harris, Journal of Mammology
"[A] wonderful volume that will serve any field primatologist both as a guide to the area's monkeys and to help identify all those other strange non-primate mammals we glimpse through the binoculars from time to time."—Adrian Barnett, Primate Eye
"This is destined to be a landmark book on Asian mammals. Its publication marks a watershed event, enabling public understanding of a tenth of the world's mammal species. Contributors to the volume include many of the world's experts on Chinese mammals. This is an ambitious book."—Bruce D. Patterson, Field Museum of Natural History
