Tree-Kangaroos of Australia and New Guinea (Australian Natural History Series)

To many people, the suggestion that a kangaroo could live up a tree is fantasy. Yet, in the rainforests of far north Queensland and New Guinea, there are extraordinary kangaroos that do just that. Many aspects of their anatomy and biology (particularly their bipedal hopping ability) suggest a terrestrial kangaroo ancestor. Yet no one has, so far, come forward with a convincing explanation of how, why and when an animal that was so superbly adapted for life on the ground should end up back in the trees. This book reviews the natural history and biology of tree-kangaroos from the time of their first discovery by Europeans in the jungles of West Papua in 1846 right up to present day, covering the latest research being conducted in Australia and New Guinea. Combining information from a number of disparate disciplines, the author sets forth the first explanation of this apparent evolutionary conundrum. This Book Reviews The Natural History And Biology Of Tree-kangaroos From The Time Of Their First Discovery By Europeans In The Jungles Of West Papua In 1826 Right Up To The Present Day, Covering The Latest Research In Australia And New Guinea. It Combines Information From A Number Of Disparate Disciplines And The Author Sets Forth The First Explanation Of This Apparent Evolutionary Conundrum. To Many People, The Suggestion That A Kangaroo Could Live Up A Tree Is Fantasy. Yet, In The Rainforests Of Far North Queensland And New Guinea, There Are Extraordinary Kangaroos That Do Just That. Many Aspects Of Their Anatomy And Biology Suggest A Terrestrial Kangaroo Ancestor. Yet No One Has, So Far, Come Forward With A Convincing Explanation Of How, Why And When An Animal That Was So Superbly Adapted For Life On The Ground Should End Up Back In The Trees. 1. A Tree-climbing Kangaroo? -- 2. Tree-kangaroo Taxonomy -- 3. Adaptations For An Arboreal Life -- 4. The Rainforest Canopy: A Bountiful World -- 5. Evolutionary History -- 6. The Rainforest Canpoy: A Dangerous World -- 7. Parasites, Pathogens And Other Irritations -- 8. Population Density And Spatial Requirements -- 9. Sex And Reproduction -- 10. Conservation -- Appendix: Basic Information For Each Species. Roger Martin ; Illustrated By Sue Simpson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [150]-155) And Index. To many people, the suggestion that a kangaroo could live up a tree is fantasy. Yet, in the rainforests of Far North Queensland and New Guinea, there are extraordinary kangaroos that do just that. Many aspects of these marsupials' anatomy and biology suggest a terrestrial kangaroo ancestor. Yet no one has, so far, come forward with a convincing explanation of how, why and when mammals that was so superbly adapted for life on the ground should end up back in the trees. This book reviews the natural history and biology of tree-kangaroos from the time of their first discovery by Europeans in the jungles of West Papua in 1826 right up to the present day, covering the latest research being conducted in Australian and New Guinea. Combining information from a number of disparate disciplines, the author sets forth the first explanation of this apparent evolutionary conundrum. Features * Provides a fascinating and readable account of an unusual evolutionary conundrum * Written by a field biologist with more than a decades experience working with tree-kangaroos This book reviews the natural history and biology of tree-kangaroos from the time of their first discovery by Europeans in the jungles of West Papua in 1846 right up to the present day, covering the latest research being conducted in Australian and New Guinea. Written by a field biologist with more than a decade's experience working with tree-kangaroos, the author provides a fascinating and readable account of an unusual evolutionary conundrum Preface Contents 1 A tree-climbing kangaroo? 2 Tree-kangaroo taxonomy 3 Adaptations for an arboreal life 4 The rainforest canopy: A bountiful world 5 Evolutionary history 6 The rainforest canopy: A dangerous world 7 Parasites, pathogens and other irritations 8 Population density and spatial requirements 9 Sex and reproduction 10 Conservation Appendix: Basic information for each species References Index