Nonscientists will appreciate the writing style, the history of local sealing, the definitions of common biological terms such as parturition and philopatry, and an introduction to the anatomical and behavioral adaptations required for an amphibious life. But, the book includes many detailed discussions of subtle island to island and temporal differences in foraging patterns, reproductive biology, and the like that will not interest lay readers. It also discusses complex technologies like DNA haplotypes (Figure 7.4) that these readers will not have the background to understand. On the other hand, the book does not seem specifically tailored Trichostatin A cost for the research

audience either. It does not include typical scientific citations that would help a specialist verify specific statements in the text. It does link the names of RXDX-106 in vivo Australian researchers with some of the facts, and the reader can sometimes match this information

to papers listed in the book’s bibliography. However, the bibliography is more a list of suggested further reading than a scholarly guide for specialists. It does not include all relevant or important otariid research. Although the book does mention by name all Australian researchers past and present who have worked on fur seals and sea lions, it does not mention nonAustralians who have provided data, concepts, or technological advances (such as dive instruments, DNA haplotype analysis, stable isotope analysis, Crittercam, etc.) that the Australian researchers have used or relied upon. It is not written as a strictly scientific review. No factual errors are evident in the book, but there is one minor interpretation that specialists may see differently. Most otariids wean their young by 1 yr of age (occasionally longer). But, Antarctic (Arctophoca gazella) and Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) wean their young at 4 mo of age. The book attributes this shorter suckling period to seasonally cold weather that jeopardizes pup survival on shore. Fludarabine price The more

compelling explanation is that the onset of cold weather forces these mothers to wean, leave shore, and migrate to lower latitudes. These two migrations, which are noteworthy features of otariid behavioral ecology, are not mentioned in this book. Similarly, the book does not discuss the research findings for any other species of fur seal or sea lion. The voluminous research on Northern and Antarctic fur seals, and on Steller and California sea lions is not mentioned. South American eared seals are mentioned once, and the problem of domoic acid and California sea lions is discussed briefly. The book does not compare or contrast the results of Australian research with what is known of the other species, thereby missing the opportunity to improve our understanding of eared seal behavior and ecology globally. This book is exclusively about Australian species, research, and researchers.