9780774805476
Distributed for University of British Columbia Press
Masters of the Ocean Realm
Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises
Masters of the Ocean Realm provides a colourful, accessible introduction to how scientists study cetaceans, such as whales and dolphins, and what they have learned. The book shows the interaction of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and human cultures around the world and discusses such conservation issues as tuna fishing, whaling, habitat degradation, pollution, and the threat of extinction. Numerous colour illustrations make the book appealing to a wide audience. Informative sidebars address topics such as whale intelligence, the mystery of mass strandings, and the tuna-dolphin controversy.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Basic Whale and Dolphin
2. Evolution
Miocene Diversity
Modern Diversity
3. Life Below the Surface
Feeding
Senses
Diving
Behavior and Social Systems
4. The Challenges of Research
Tagging and Photo-identification Strandings
How Many Species?
How Many Whales?
5. Conservation
Modern Whaling
Accidental Deaths in Fishing Gear
Pollution and Habitat Destruction
The Role of Research
6. Whales and People
Greek and Minoan Civilizations
The Tlingit
Nineteenth-century New England
The Eskimo
Epilogue
Bibliography
Glossary
Index