Florida Manatee: Biology and Conservation by Roger L. Reep, Robert K. Bonde

Product Details

Synopsis

The most complete single volume on manatee biology and conservation available.
 
In the field of marine biology, there is a uniqueness to manatee research, and in this book, Roger Reep and Robert Bonde make clear both its rewards and challenges. Veteran researchers with 45 years’ experience between them, they have created an instantly engaging, accessible tale of this mysterious creature for professionals and interested lay people alike.
            Having played integral roles in many of the research efforts discussed in the book,
Reep and Bonde humanize the sometimes difficult-to-grasp characteristics of manatee biology, their relation to the environment, and the biopolitics that result from the intersection of science and wildlife management. They weave fact with real-life scenarios to explain what science has learned about this unusual animal—from microorganisms that cause manatee die-offs during red tide blooms to the complexity of long-distance migrations to the curiosities of manatee physiology. The evolutionary basis of the sirenian language (how manatees communicate with each other) is also revealed.
            Technological innovations and conservation efforts since the landmark protection legislation of the early 1970s are also central to the manatee story. Captive rehabilitation, radio tracking, and advanced boating regulations are discussed as methods to ensure manatee survival. Reep and Bonde argue that increasing interaction between man and manatee, most notably through the shared use of waterways, makes ongoingscientific research essential if successful coexistence is to be possible.
 
 

Booklist

"This concise, impressive book is the best available on the Florida manatee and is a must-buy for libraries in manatee habitats and highly recommended elsewhere."

Biography

Roger Reep is a neuroscientist and professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida. He has studied manatee biology for 20 years, and has published numerous papers and lectured on the organization and evolution of mammalian nervous systems. He was lead organizer for the First International Manatee and Dugong Research Conference, and for the Florida Marine Mammal Health Conference.

 
Bob Bonde is a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey Sirenia Project and has been studying manatees for 25 years. He has published many scientific papers as a result of his experiences dealing with genetics, manatee mortality, aerial surveys, radio tracking, and observations of animals in their natural habitats.