Ecology of Small Mammals of Desert and Montane Ecosystems

Publisher: Scientific Publishers
Authors: I. Prakash & Pratap Singh
Language: English
Edition: 2005
ISBN: 9788172334017
Pages: 153
Cover: Hardcover
Dimensions: 5.75 x 8.25 inches
Weight: 410 gm

About the Book:
Small mammals, including rodents and insectivores, make up 31.18% of the total mammal species found in India. Despite their abundance, this largest group among mammals has often been overlooked by ecologists. Rajasthan, with its diverse geomorphology, offers numerous possibilities for studying these species. The state is bisected by the Aravallis, which divide it into western arid and eastern semi-arid and mesic zones, with the southern and southeastern parts featuring various rock systems. This book is the first of its kind in India, focusing on the small mammals of Rajasthan. It delves into various aspects such as habitat preference, food and feeding behaviour, home range, activity patterns, reproductive behaviour, biochemical communication, and the physiology of small mammals in desert and hilly terrains. Additionally, it explores the zoogeography of these species in Rajasthan and the changes in faunistic composition brought about by canal and tube well irrigation. This book is expected to be an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and teachers in the fields of Ecology and Zoology.