De Dos Mundos/Of Two Worlds: Sapos, Ranas y Salamandras en la Peninsula de Yucatan, Mexico/Frogs, Toads And Salamanders Of The Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico [Paperback]

Carlos Galindo-Leal (Author), Roberto Arreola Alemon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, a major international travel destination in the Americas, brings both spectacular natural history and environmental issues to a wide general audience. Although few in numbers, the frogs, toads and salamanders of the Yucatan, represent a variety of amazing adaptations that will entice even the indifferent reader. While there is a wealth of archaeological information on the Yucatan, there is little available on its biological issues for the people of Mexico or the international audience. This book communicates the importance, wonder and plight of these creatures, by providing their natural history in an informative and engaging way.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Amphibians have been called environmental thermometers. Their complex life history spent in both aquatic and terrestrial environments makes them susceptible to environmental deterioration on two fronts. The extraordinary natural history included in Of Two Worlds will make any reader appreciate the plight of these marvelous animals and of the planet s biological diversity in general. --Paul R. Ehrlich, author; president, Center for Conservation Biology, and professor, Population Studies, Stanford University

Galindo-Leal has written a very full book. He presents not only the different amphibian species of the Yucatan peninsula, which is all the reader might expect from the title, but he also includes a complete account of the traits shared by all amphibians. In this way, we learn the significance of amphibians within their ecosystems, as well as why they are "of two worlds." Though some more informed readers may already know about a frog's aquatic life as a tadpole and its transformation into a terrestrial creature, they most likely do not know about the morphological differences between frog and toad feet. Alemón's beautiful watercolor illustrations accompany and clarify the author's very informative text and add polish to an accessible book. The scientific text is interspersed with pull quotes of popular Latin American amphibian-related sayings that highlight the impact these organisms have had on our culture. Science buffs will read this book through in one sitting. For more reluctant readers, the text is divided into manageable sections that address one particular organism or issue at a time, thus facilitating the reading process. This book will enhance any classroom science library with all the information provided by a textbook and enliven it with the good looks of a picture book. --Children's Literature, Veronica E. Betancourt

Expertly written by amphibian expert Carlos Galindo-Leal (the senior director of Conservation International's Center for Applied Biodiversity Science "State of the Hot Spots Program") and deftly illustrated by biologist and environmental expert Roberto Arreola Alemón, De dos mundos/Of Two Worlds is a bilingual English/Spanish biological survey of the frogs, toads and salamanders of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Color illustrations illuminate the habits, life cycles, distinguishing characteristics, and more, of these fascinating creatures, many of which are threatened by habitat loss and other predations. An involving and recommended guide for people of all ages, curious to learn more about amphibians. De dos mundos/Of Two Worlds is an unique and welcome contribution to Biodiversity Studies reference collections in general and Amphibian Studies supplemental reading lists in particular. --Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Carlos Galindo-Leal, M.Sc., Ph.D., is the Director of Communications for the Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO), the division of the Mexican government that works to preserve the nation's wildlife and biodiversity. He previously served as director of World Wildlife Fund s Forest Program for Mexico (Programa Bosques Mexicanos) and in Washington, DC, as senior director of Conservation International s Center for Applied Biodiversity Science State of the Hotspots Program for areas with high concentrations of endemic species undergoing exceptional loss of habitat worldwide. Prior to that, Carlos was director of the Tropical Research Program, Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University. He holds a BSc from Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico, and MSc and PhD in Zoology from the University of British Columbia, Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Pangaea Pr; First edition (April 2003)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 1929165528
• ISBN-13: 978-1929165520
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,576,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Libros en español > Al Aire Libre y La Naturaleza > La Fauna

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For folks of all ages curious to learn more about amphibians, October 18, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: De Dos Mundos/Of Two Worlds: Sapos, Ranas y Salamandras en la Peninsula de Yucatan, Mexico/Frogs, Toads And Salamanders Of The Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico (Paperback)

Expertly written by amphibian expert Carlos Galindo-Leal (the senior director of Conservation International's Center for Applied Biodiversity Science "State of the Hotspots Program") and deftly illustrated by biologist and environmental expert Roberto Arreola Alemon, De Dos Mundos/Of Two Worlds is a bilingual English/Spanish biological survey of the frogs, toads, and salamanders of the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. Color illustrations illuminate the habits, life cycles, distinguishing characteristics, and more, of these fascinating creatures, many of which are threatened by habitat loss and other predations. An involving and recommended guide for people of all ages curious to learn more about amphibians, De Dos Mundos/Of Two Worlds is a unique and welcome contribution to Biodiversity Studies reference collections in general and Amphibian Studies supplemental reading lists in particular.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars De Dos Mundos es fueda de este mundo, April 3, 2005

By 

Larry D. Broz "ldbroz" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: De Dos Mundos/Of Two Worlds: Sapos, Ranas y Salamandras en la Peninsula de Yucatan, Mexico/Frogs, Toads And Salamanders Of The Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico (Paperback)

Excellent book in every way. The biological aspect is superb. The three major types of amphibians are very well explained and superbly illustrated. Typical amphibian information is supported by in depth information, such as decibel levels of songs, in an easily understandable manner. Quotes from numerous types of publications and sayings from the Mayans to Kermit the Frog enhance the information and makes it easier to remember. Scientifically, this book is outstanding. A complicated subject is written in a manner that makes it easy to understand and pleasing to read. I read this book cover to cover in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. This is very unusual for a scientific book.
The spanish is impeccable. As a dual language book it is one of the best I have seen. You can't tell if it was written in Spanish and translated into English or vice versa. This book is written so that portions can be used by young readers as well as for adults. I enjoyed this book and I have second graders taking information from parts of it for reports.
Outstanding book.