Biology of the Sauropod Dinosaurs: Understanding the Life of Giants (Life of the Past)
"This is a beautifully produced volume that will prove invaluable to anyone interested in the biology of Mesozoic vertebrates." —Qtly Review of Biology"Biology of the Sauropod Dinosaurs... is full of new hypotheses and will enliven debates on sauropods for many years to come." —Geological Magazine"Provide[s] much new information on the biology of Sauropod dinosaurs; information extrapolated from studies of extant animals and from unique, new methodologies for examining fossil material." —Virginia Tidwell, Denver Museum of Nature and Science"The 18 articles in this collection are the fruit of seven years of collaborative effort, and shed much light on sauropod anatomy and physiology.... A valuable acquisition for college libraries.... Highly recommended." —Choice, September 2011"While the book appears to be dauntingly scientific, it is actually remarkably accessible, even for the nonscientific reader. Dinosaur lovers will find it very interesting, while scientists will be deeply impressed by the research and results of the multidisciplinary approach." —Library Journal, August 5, 2011"This book is highly recommended for any library with natural history collections. It is a superb compendium of the latest sauropod research at a reasonable price." —American Reference BooksIn an effort to explain why and how the largest of the sauropod dinosaurs achieved their gargantuan size, a group of German and Swiss researchers worked together to explore dinosaur gigantism. The 38 authors included here are not just paleontologists but also specialists in zoology, animal nutrition, bone histology, computer modeling, and geochemistry, to list only some of the areas of expertise involved. Approaching the biology of the sauropods from four different perspectives-those of physiology, nutrition, growth, and construction-the researchers offer readers an integrated view representing the highlights of their seven years of multidisciplinary examination. Filled with 183 illustrations, including detailed diagrams, graphs, and schematics, this is a unique reference work.Verdict While the book appears to be dauntingly scientific, it is actually remarkably accessible, even for the nonscientific reader. Dinosaur lovers will find it very interesting, while scientists will be deeply impressed by the research and results of the multidisciplinary approach.-Gloria Maxwell, Metropolitan Community Coll.–Penn Valley, Kansas City, MOLIBRARY JOURNAL, August 5, 2011Few dinosaurs are more iconic than the long-necked sauropods. Their enormous size has intrigued dinosaur lovers of all ages. But how could they reach such gigantic proportions? What were the advantages and disadvantages of gigantism? An interdisciplinary research consortium of German and Swiss scientists set out to address this topic. The 18 articles in this collection are the fruit of seven years of collaborative effort, and shed much light on sauropod anatomy and physiology. The contributions are arranged under four broad categories: 'Nutrition,' 'Physiology,' 'Construction,' and 'Growth.' The book considers probable diets and models of herbivory based on digestive morphology and the energy content of contemporary vegetation. The respiratory and circulatory systems receive close attention, especially the implications of recent evidence for avian-type air sacs, and the discussion of thermoregulation makes an important contribution to the long-running debate over endothermy in dinosaurs. Contributors also provide an in-depth examination of the structure, development, and evolution of skeletal anatomy. The volume includes several color plates and a lengthy subject index. A valuable acquisition for college libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through researchers/faculty. --Choice B. E. Fleury, Tulane University, 9/1/11Few dinosaurs are more iconic than the long-necked sauropods. Their enormous size has intrigued dinosaur lovers of all ages. But how could they reach such gigantic proportions? What were the advantages and disadvantages of gigantism? An interdisciplinary research consortium of German and Swiss scientists set out to address this topic. The 18 articles in this collection are the fruit of seven years of collaborative effort, and shed much light on sauropod anatomy and physiology. The contributions are arranged under four broad categories: 'Nutrition,' 'Physiology,' 'Construction,' and 'Growth.' The book considers probable diets and models of herbivory based on digestive morphology and the energy content of contemporary vegetation. The respiratory and circulatory systems receive close attention, especially the implications of recent evidence for avian-type air sacs, and the discussion of thermoregulation makes an important contribution to the long-running debate over endothermy in dinosaurs. Contributors also provide an in-depth examination of the structure, development, and evolution of skeletal anatomy. The volume includes several color plates and a lengthy subject index. A valuable acquisition for college libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through researchers/faculty. --ChoiceB. E. Fleury, Tulane University, September 2011