Bat ecology (Relié)

In recent years researchers have discovered that bats play key roles in many ecosystems as insect predators, seed dispersers, and pollinators. Bats also display astonishing ecological and evolutionary diversity and serve as important models for studies of a wide variety of topics, including roosting and feeding ecology, biogeography, and emerging diseases. In Bat Ecology, world renowned bat scholars present an up-to-date, comprehensive, and authoritative review of this ongoing research. The first part of the book covers the life history and behavioral ecology of bats, from migration to sexual selection and sperm competition. The next section focuses on functional ecology, including ecomorphology, feeding ecology, and ecophysiology. In the third section, contributors explore macroecological issues including the evolution of ecological diversity, range size, and the emergence of infectious diseases (including rabies). A final chapter discusses conservation challenges facing these fascinating flying mammals. BatEcology is the most comprehensive state-of-the-field collection for scientists and researchers.