A Neotropical Companion: An Introduction to the Animals, Plants, and Ecosystems of the New World Tropics

by John C. Kricher, Mark Plotkin (Foreword)

A Neotropical Companion is an extraordinarily readable introduction to the American tropics, the lands of Central and South America, their remarkable rainforests and other ecosystems, and the creatures that live there. It is the most comprehensive one-volume guide to the Neotropics available today. Widely praised in its first edition, it remains a book of unparalleled value to tourists, students, and scientists alike. This second edition has been substantially revised and expanded to incorporate the abundance of new scientific information that has been produced since it was first published in 1989. Major additions have been made to every chapter, and new chapters have been added on Neotropical ecosystems, human ecology, and the effects of deforestation. Biodiversity and its preservation are discussed throughout the book, and Neotropical evolution is described in detail. This new edition offers all new drawings and photographs, many of them in color.


As enthusiastic readers of the first edition will attest, this is a charming book. Wearing his learning lightly and writing with ease and humor, John Kricher presents the complexities of tropical ecology as accessible and nonintimidating. Kricher is so thoroughly knowledgeable and the book is so complete in its coverage that general readers and ecotourists will not need any other book to help them identify and understand the plants and animals, from birds to bugs, that they will encounter in their travels to the New World tropics. At the same time, it will fascinate armchair travelers and students who may get no closer to the Neotropics than this engagingly written book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Nature, Reference, Natural History, Biology, Ecology

451 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1989

About the author

John C. Kricher, Professor of Biology, Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Cormac Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without wishing to over-state the case, this book has probably changed my life. A spectacular read. As someone who works in conservation in Costa Rica, this book has changed the way I look at my surroundings, and tropical environments in general.

The book is essentially an introduction to the living species you will encounter in the neotropics and the way they interact. What blew me away was the holistic way the author looks at every aspect of life, be it the things anyone would notice in the jungle like the huge trees and spectacular toucans or the less-considered smaller organisms, all playing a role in making this such a spectacular place to live.

If you have even a passing interest in nature, science, or environmentalism this book is for you. It will get you excited about what you can find in the jungle, and I literally laughed out loud several times, which is quite a feat considering it is essentially a biology textbook.

Just an unbelievable book. Couldn't recommend it any higher.

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took this book with me to the jungle. It was the best thing I've read on the ecology of the Amazon and other neotropical areas. One thing I learned is that neotropic means the tropics of the New World. The book manages to take dull science and make it live. The author is a biologist or botanist but also an excellent writer. He breaks down the various aspects of the ecology of the neotropics, from trees and plants to birds and insects.

Fascinating to read about what I observed in situ, i.e. leaf-cutter ants, trogons, toucans, antbirds, and so much more. I will finish this book and probably buy the new revised version. Fabulous.

Finished...wonderful way to understand the multiplicity of the neotropic world.

[Seán Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often used these days as part of the freshman reading burden,
but a great read and overview for, uh... people who aren't college freshmen,
but have a keen interest in, or plans to travel in, our hemisphere's tropics.
Great focus on Central America & Brazil, birds (Kricher is, by calling, a bird
person) and evolutionary biology in general.

[James Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think it would be an exaggeration to say that A Neotropical Companion is probably the best English-language guide for the general reader to the tropical rainforests of Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. I first read this book many years ago, and I still regularly dip into it for work and writing.

Whether you live in the region and are seeking to understand the complexity of the biodiversity that surrounds you, or are just visiting for research or recreation, do yourself a favor and buy a copy. You won't regret it

[Zach Fitzner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary classic of neotropical natural history. I read this book first when I took a tropical ecology field course in Ecuador and have reread it since and hauled it along as reference on other tropical trips. A must read for anyone who cares about the tropics. A textbook that reads like a good novel.

[Luis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una excelentísima introducción a la ecología neotropical, y tal vez la mejor a la ciencia de la ecología en general para lectores sin formación académica en el área.

[David Guevara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basico para un biologo en formación.

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya un poco desactualizado en algunos aspectos, pero sigue siendo una introducción amena a la ecología tropical. En algunos aspectos se siente un poco el colonialismo científico en su approach.

[Chaundra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of the best books I've read all year, if not in the past couple of years. I'm sure I'll have more to say on it once we're back from our trip, but I think it's fair to say I'm even more excited about it now that I've read this book. In fact, if I didn't have a trip booked to Central/South America already, I would have to book one shortly after finishing this, if not by the time I finished chapter 2. Full to the brim of excellent citations but also extremely readable even for a lay reader, it strikes just about the perfect balance between interesting and way too much information. The appendix alone "Let's be careful out there" should be required reading all on it's own.

So yes, not sure I can enthuse enough about this book.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly technical and academic introduction to neotropical ecosystems. Happily it is also highly readable, consistently fascinating and even amusing in places. The highlight for me were the long, clear discussions of forest succession and evolutionary patterns in tropical rain forests. Less consistently engaging than Tropical Nature, but also more useful in case you actually wanted to identify that strange [tree, bird, bug, snake] you are looking at.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the natural history of Latin America, covering the theoretical like explanations for its incredible biodiversity, and acting as a general guidebook to the plants and animals of the region's various ecosystems from the emblematic Amazon rainforest to the lesser known savannas and mountain tops. The author's knowledge is both extensive and in depth, though for the specialist interested in specific areas the bibliography would be of greater use. Now if only all regions of the world had such a handy, comprehensive and interesting guide..

[Marty Essen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone going to the New World Tropics. This is more of a reference book than a read from cover-to-cover book, however. I referred to it a lot for species identification when I was writing my first book Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents.

[Mike Parkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of the neotropical biome (roughly southern Mexico and all of Central and South America), describing the key ecological and evolutionary interactions. Not exactly a field guide to species - more of a complementary book that will help you get a better understanding of everything you see. This book is used in many tropical field biology university courses. Best for dipping into a chapter at a time - it is a bit overwhelming if you try to read it straight through.

[Bob Peru · Rating 5 out of 5]

important. v. important. if ya like natural history (and care in the least about the FATE OF THE WORLD) and all and just facts you can use in trivial pursuit or crossword puzzles, well hell, for nuthin' else! read this. if ya don't care (about the FATE OF THE WORLD part)? don't. and go to hell.

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the reading material for a tropical field biology course I took in the spring of 2012. Very accessible and fun to read. It would have been perfect had it covered the marine aspect of the neotropics.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive, fascinating, and beautifully written ... a must read for anybody who really wants to understand the ecology of the neotropics. I almost want to pick this back up and start reading it again

[Debdolittle · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time I read this was in the project room in the MLC field centre in Peru looked on by a tarantula sitting quietly in the rafters.
I have since bought my own copy.
Fantastically witty, informative and inspirational. A true companion for anyone heading to the rainforest.

[Seagreen939 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent background for anyone who will be traveling to Amazonia. I read it before my trip to Costa Rica, and I believe it enhanced the experience since I had a better understanding of the flora and fauna of the region.

[Steven Monrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reference book

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wealth of knowledge here. If you are going to be traveling in Central America, this will help you to understand the natural world around you. Just fascinating!

[Q]

The book was well-written, but the class did not use it enough to compel me to read it all.

[Ayla Ayala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una excelente y detallada descripción de los trópicos, soy una amante de la naturaleza y los animales, así que fue una guía estupenda sobre el Amazonas

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairly scientific...but tells you all about everything you never knew about the rainforest.

[Jihwan]

good!!!