Biology of Small Mammals

Joseph F. Merritt is a senior mammalogist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, holding courtesy academic appointments at the University of Colorado, Indiana State University, and SUNY's College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He is the coauthor of Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity, Ecology, also published by Johns Hopkins.

• PrefaceAcknowledgments1. IntroductionWhat Is a Small Mammal?Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Small MammalThe ProtagonistsMonotremes and MarsupialsAfrosoricida, Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha, Macroscelidea, Scandentia, and DermopteraChiropteraPrimatesCarnivoraRodentiaLagomorphaHyracoideaPart I: Modes of Feeding2. InsectivoryGeneral CharacteristicsDilambdodont DentitionTerrestrial InsectivoresVenomous SalivaLong, Protrusile TongueArboreal InsectivoresElongated DigitsSemiaquatic and Fossorial InsectivoresSensory Mucous GlandsEimer's OrgansUnderwater SniffingSubterranean InsectivoresSeismic SensitivityAerial InsectivoresWingsEcholocation3. HerbivoryGeneral CharacteristicsEver-Growing IncisorsCoprophagyGranivoresFood HoardingCheek PouchesFrugivoresPiercing TeethPrehensile Tail and Protrusile TongueNectarivoresBrush-Tipped TongueGummivoresFolivoresForegut versus Hindgut FermentationGliding Membranes and Pectinate TeethCase Study: Rock Badgers: Gutsy Cliff-Dwellers4. CarnivoryGeneral CharacteristicsCarnassial TeethFlesh-Eating CarnivoresFelidsMustelidsCanidsPiscivoresClaws, Cheek Pouches, and a Sixth FingerSanguinivoresKnifelike Teeth and Heat-Sensitive Nasal Pits5. OmnivoryOmnivorous CarnivoresProcyonidsHerpestidsViverridsEupleridsCase Studies: The Hero Shrew: Mysterious InsectivoreDietary NonconformistsGleaning, Hawking, Hovering, and Perch-HuntingPart II: Environmental Adaptations6. Endothermy7. HeterothermyTorporHibernation8. Coping with ColdInsulatory ChangesCountercurrent Heat Exchange: The Miraculous NetReduced Level of ActivityReduction of Body Mass (Dehnel's Phenomenon)Fat TailsSocial ThermoregulationIncreased Heat Production9. Coping with Heat and AridityConserving WaterDietary Water IntakeEvaporative CoolingSweating, Panting, and Saliva SpreadingRespiratory Heat ExchangePelage InsulationBehavioral Avoidance of Heat10. Ecogeographic RulesModified Size of Appendages (Allen's Rule)Seasonal Color Dimorphism (Gloger's Rule)Body Mass and Latitude (Bergmann's Rule)Case Studies: Communal NestingHedgehogs: Spiny HibernatorsPart III: Reproduction11. Reproductive VariationsDelayed FertilizationDelayed ImplantationDelayed DevelopmentEmbryonic Diapause12. Mating Systems and Reproductive StrategiesHigh FecundityMonogamy, Housekeeping, and Mate GuardingAbsentee Maternal CareLek BehaviorEusocialitySemelparity: Breeding and Sudden Death13. Population Cycles: Lemmings and Snowshoes HaresAppendix: Useful Web SitesGlossaryReferencesIndex

Any college-level natural history library needs this survey. Midwest Book Review 2010 Highly recommended. Choice 2010 Utilizing fossil records and extant small mammals, the author provides an interesting look into their physical make up and way of life. Wildlife Activist 2010 Where Dr. Merritt's book shines and separates itself from other mammalogy books is when he adds the details, examples, and colorful commentary allowing readers to share his passion and enthusiasm for small mammals... Dr. Merritt manages to keep these passages both rigorous and entertaining, the true mark of a fine teacher. -- Robert McCleery Journal of Wildlife Management 2010 Merritt writes with evident enthusiasm for his subject, he is impressively up to date on most topics, and the book is copiously illustrated. -- William Z. Likicker Jr. Bioscience 2011