Gorilla Biology
A Multidisciplinary Perspective

A unique multidisciplinary volume offering truly comparative perspective on gorilla populations.

Andrea B. Taylor (Edited by), Michele L. Goldsmith (Edited by)

9780521078917, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 September 2008

532 pages, 65 b/w illus. 61 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 3 cm, 0.77 kg

Review of the hardback: 'The editors of Gorilla Biology should be commended … Taylor and Goldsmith have managed to assemble diverse material into a united whole … The result is a book filled with interesting new data …'. Folia Primatologica

Gorillas are one of our closest living relatives, the largest of all living primates, and teeter on the brink of extinction. These fascinating animals are the focus of this in-depth and comprehensive examination of gorilla biology. Gorilla Biology combines recent research in morphology, genetics and behavioural ecology to reveal the complexity and diversity of gorilla populations. The first section focuses on morphological and molecular variation and underscores the importance of understanding diverse biological patterns at all levels in testing evolutionary and adaptive hypotheses and elucidating subspecies and species diversification. Following are discussions of the ecological constraints that influence gorilla social organization and highlight their surprising flexibility. The book ends with discussions of the conservation status of gorillas and the many and increasing threats to their continued survival. Giving insight into the evolutionary biology of these unique primates, this book will be essential reading for primatologists, anthropologists and evolutionary biologists.

Preface Andrea B. Taylor and Michele L. Goldsmith
Acknowledgements
Part I. Gorilla Taxonomy and Comparative Morphology: 1. Gorillas: how important, how many, how long? Russell H. Tuttle
2. A history of gorilla taxonomy Colin P. Groves
3. Patterns of diversity in gorilla cranial morphology Rebecca M. Stumpf, John D. Polk, John F. Oates, William L. Jungers, Christopher P. Heesy, Colin P. Groves and John G. Fleagle
4. The hierarchy of intraspecific craniometric variation in gorillas: a population-thinking approach with implications for fossil species recognition studies Gene H. Albrecht, Bruce R. Gelvin and Joseph M. A. Miller
5. Morphological differentiation of Gorilla subspecies Steven R. Leigh, John H. Relethford, Paul B. Park and Lyle W. Konigsberg
6. Ontogeny and function of masticatory form in Gorilla: functional, evolutionary and taxonomic implications Andrea B. Taylor
7. Ontogenetic variation in Gorilla postcranial morphology Sandra E. Inouye
Part II. Molecular Genetics: 8. Gorilla systematics, taxonomy and conservation in the era of genomics Oliver A. Ryder
9. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA estimates of divergence between western and eastern gorillas Michael I. Jensen-Seaman, Amos S. Dienard and Kenneth K. Kidd
10. Genetic studies of western gorillas Stephen L. Clifford, Katherine A. Abernethy, L. J. T. White, Caroline E. G. Tutin, M. W. Bruford and E. Jane Wickings
Part III. Behavioral Ecology: 11. Behavioral ecology Caroline E. Tutin
12. Gorilla social relationships: a comparative overview David P. Watts
13. Within-group feeding competition and socioecological factors influencing social organisation of gorillas in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo Juichi Yamagiwa, Kanyunyi Basabose, Kiswele Kaleme and Takakazu Yumoto
14. Comparative behavioral ecology of a lowland and highland gorilla population: where do Bwindi gorillas fit? Michele L. Goldsmith
15. Are gorillas vacuum cleaners of the forest floor? The roles of body size, habitat and food preferences on gorilla dietary flexibility and nutrition Melissa J. Remis
Part IV. Gorilla Conservation: 16. Gorilla conservation Alexander H. Harcourt
17. The current status of gorillas and threats to their existence at the beginning of a new millennium Andrew J. Plumptre, Alastair McNeilage and Jefferson D. Hall
18. Distribution, taxonomy, genetics, ecology and causal links of gorilla survival: the need to develop practical knowledge for gorilla conservation Esteban E. Sarmiento
19. The Cross River gorilla: the natural history and status of a neglected and critically endangered subspecies John F. Oates, Kelly L. McFarland, Jacqueline L. Groves, Richard A. Bergl, Joshua M. Linder and Todd R. Disotell
Afterword Michele L. Goldsmith and Andrea B. Taylor.

Subject Areas: Primates [PSVW79], Zoology & animal sciences [PSV]