Walker's Primates of the World

by Ronald M. Nowak

From Nigeria's needle-clawed bush baby to the snub-nosed langur of Tibet, from loris to lemur, from the woolly monkey to the "naked ape," primates are among the world's most diverse―and distinctive―groups of mammals. Seventy million years of evolving primate anatomy (much of it significantly influenced by a tree-dwelling lifestyle) has resulted in such defining characteristics as stereoscopic vision, a relatively large brain, grasping hands and feet, and superior levels of dexterity and muscular coordination. Now Ronald M. Nowak offers a comprehensive guide to this fascinating and varied order of mammals. Walker's Primates of the World includes scientific and common names, the number and distribution of species, measurements and physical traits, habitat, daily and seasonal activity, population dynamics, home range, social life, reproduction, longevity, and status of threatened species. Recently extinct genera, such as the giant lemurs of Madagascar, are covered in full. Textual summaries present accurate, well-documented descriptions of the physical characteristics and living habits of primates in every part of the world. In a new introduction, noted primate conservationists Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands, and William R. Konstant discuss the taxonomy and distribution of primates as well as their distinguishing characteristics, special adaptations and particularly striking features, such as sociality. They also report on conservation efforts past and future, and assess the factors, largely human-caused, that are threatening non-human primates with extinction.

Genres: Biology

232 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 1999

Reviews

[James F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I read it through, this appears to be designed as a reference. It is very comprehensive, giving descriptions, classification, distribution, information about diet and habitat, reproduction, and conservation status for all living or recently extinct genera of primates. Most genera are illustrated with (black and white) photographs. There is also a very long and useful general introduction putting the descriptions in context.

The material is partly based on the sixth edition of Walker's Mammals of the World. Unfortunately neither the general book nor the primate book have been updated since 1999; there were only eight years between the fifth and sixth editions of Walker's Mammals of the World. Nearly every family description here begins by explaining that the genera, classification of genera into higher groups, which species belong in which genera, number of species in each genera, which taxa are species, which are subspecies, or some other aspect of classification is controversial; many species have only recently been found or described, and of course the conservation status is continually changing, so after thirteen years it definitely needs a new edition.

This was a good orientation to the primates, although the descriptions can be somewhat technical; I wouldn't have followed some of them without having read Swindler's Introduction to the Primates (also in need of a new edition) first.