Life Underground: The Biology of Subterranean Rodents (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780226467276)

Many mammals like to dig in the dirt, but few call it home. Those that do, such as mole-rats, zokors, and tuco-tucos, have developed novel adaptations to their subterranean life, including bones and muscles modified for efficient digging and ways to "see" underground without using their eyes. These unusual traits, adopted independently by unrelated groups around the world, also make subterranean rodents fascinating subjects for biologists.

Life Underground provides the first comprehensive review of the biology of subterranean rodents. Arranged by topic rather than by taxon to facilitate cross-species comparisons, chapters cover such subjects as morphology, physiology, social behavior, genetic variation, and evolutionary diversification. Two main questions run throughout the book. First, to what extent has subterranean life shaped the biology of these animals, leading to similar adaptations among otherwise dissimilar species? Second, how have the distinct evolutionary histories of these groups led to different solutions to the challenges posed by life underground?

Author: Eileen A. Lacey
ISBN-10: 0226467279
ISBN-13: 9780226467276
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Language: English
Published: 09/01/2000
Pages: 457
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.57lbs
Size: 9.24h x 6.19w x 1.22d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 01/01/2001 pg. 934