This book focuses on the ecology, evolution, biogeography, systematics and taxonomy of New World and Australasian marsupials, greatly expanding the current knowledge base. There are roughly 140 species of New World marsupials, of which the opossum is the best known. Thanks to recent research, there is now an increasing amount of understanding about their evolution, biogeography, systematics, ecology, and conservation in the Americas, especially in South America. There are also some 270 marsupial species in the Australasian region, many of which have been subject to research only in recent years. Based on this information and the authors' extensive research, this book provides comprehensive insights into the world's marsupials. It will appeal to academics and specialized researchers, students of zoology, paleontology, evolutionary biology, ecology, physiology and conservation, as well as interested non-experts.
About the Author: Nilton Cáceres work focuses mostly on the ecology and evolution of mammals, particularly marsupials, rodents, carnivores, and primates. Nilton is a Professor in Vertebrate Zoology and Animal Behaviour at the Federal University of Santa Maria and a Research Fellow of the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). He has written more than 150 journal articles and book chapters, as well as been editor and co-editor of Marsupials of Brazil (2006 and 2012) and The Mammals of Rio Grande do Sul (2013). His research has had international collaborations with, among others, Argentinean, Spanish, Italian, and English researchers, focusing mainly on the Neotropical fauna.
Christopher R. Dickman's work focuses mostly on the ecology of mammals and on a range of projects in applied conservation and management. Chris is a Professor in Ecology (personal chair) at The University of Sydney and a Fellow of both the Australian Academy of Science and the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. He has written more than 500 journal articles and book chapters, as well as several monographs on marsupials including the award-winning A Fragile Balance: The Extraordinary Story of Australian Marsupials and Secret Lives of Carnivorous Marsupials (with Andrew Baker); he is also co-editor of Marsupials and Predators with Pouches: The Biology of Carnivorous Marsupials. He is the recipient of several national and international awards, including the Troughton Medal from the Australian Mammal Society and the C. Hart Merriam award from the American Society of Mammalogists.
