Review by Choice Review
Hall and Richards offer an excellent summary of the taxonomy, ecology, and physiology of the flying foxes (genus Pteropus) and to a lesser degree, fruit bats and blossom bats in Australia and environs. Seven species of Pteropus inhabit northern and eastern Australia; the ranges of these vaguely overlap. Some species seem to be extending their range even to the point of migrating into urban and residential areas. The majority of flying foxes are quite large and frequently active in the daytime. Their camps can be located in swamps, mangroves, rainforest, tall mixed forest, dolines, and at entrances to caves. An anatomical description, plus general distribution, is given for each species. Of particular interest is a complete description of their anatomy with superb diagrams. A unique analysis of the nervous system is a highlight, something rarely covered in taxonomic studies. However, the highlight of the volume is a series of 26 colored illustrations portraying in elegant detail the external anatomy of the species concerned. The species covered are now protected fauna in all states of Australia and seem to be recovering from pre-1985 severe populations losses; Aborigines still eat flying foxes. An appendix lists all known plant species eaten by flying foxes. General readers; upper-division undergraduates and up. G. Nicholas Manhattan College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
