Customer Reviews

Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification

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This is one reference that will be at the front of my shelf for awhile. For each species, there are artist renderings showing showing key physical features. In some cases only the male is illustrated whereas other species show male, female and calf and/or regional 'types' (e.g. Dalli-type and Truei-type Dall's porpoise. Stranded and at-sea photos are included in many cases as well as a map showing primary and 'possible primary range'. Extralimital records are usually noted with a red dot. I admit that I typically pay the most attention to sections on Ziphiid whales vs other cetaceans/marine mammals and this reference includes all of the more recently described Mesoplodon species as well as updated information on Indopacetus. However, a number of items were omitted or misstated:

(1) distribution map of M. traversii showing 3 'confirmed sightings' locations. These locations are the locations of skeletal remains used to describe the species. The only sighting information I have found refers to Mesoplodon Species 'B' which Pitman hypothesizes may be M. traversii (Pitman and Lynn 2001 Mar. Mamm. Sci. 17(3):648-657)

(2) failure to include discussion of the possibility of a subspecies or new species from Kiribati/Palmyra (3 specimens)related to M. ginkgodens based on DNA 'taxonomy' findings and possible subspecies designation of northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere populations of M. mirus whose disjunct distribution and DNA analysis supports this possibility (Dalebout et. al. 2007 Mar Mamm Sci (23)4:954-966)

(3) lack of at-sea photos of Tasmacetus which are included in Pitman et. al. 2006 Mar. Mamm. Sci 22(3):744-755

(4) minor editing problem in Hyperoodon ampullatus 'Ecology and behavior' secton with repetition of 2 sentences using slightly different wording

Whales, Dolphins, and Other Marine Mammals of the World (Princeton Field Guides) by Hadoram Shirihai and Brett Jarrett is the only other reference I've found that includes all the recently described Ziphiid species. Shirihai and Jarrett is formatted as a field guide whereas Jefferson et. al. is formated as a reference tool.

This is THE identification guide for the marine mammals of the world. The species' reviews is more than usual in this kind of guides, very detailed and with current information. It is plenty of photographs and figures, almost all of them very explicit. The species list reflects the changing, and in some cases unclear, taxonomy of cetaceans. Recently described species are included (eg. snubfin dolphin, Omuras' whale). IUCN status is also included. Hardcover is a good thing, but with very thin pages inside, keep it in the vessel's bridge!.

I have a copy that I use for research and for help with ID. This is a well written book with excellent pictures and drawings. I was just on a 12 day trip with the lead author, who is extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend this book for any one interested in marine mammals (BTW also include Polar Bears)

a very good field guide for all marine mammals worldwide.

lots of great illustrations and photos to help id's

extensive life histories and behavioral info as well.

best guide I've ever seen!