Ecology of Small Mammals of Desert and Montane Ecosystems

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Ecological changes. 3. Species composition and relative abundance. 4. Habitat preference. 5. Food: i. Insectivores. ii. Rodents. 6. Behaviour: i. Home range. ii. Activity pattern. 7. Reproduction. 8. Physiological aspects. 9. Zoogeography. 10. References.

"Small mammals (Rodents and insectivores) constitute 31.18% of total mammal species found in India. In spite of their abundance, this largest group among mammals has received little attention of ecologists. From the geomorphological standpoint Rajasthan offers multiple possibilities. The Aravallis diagonally bisect the state into western arid and eastern semi-arid and mesic zones. The southern and southeastern parts of state have various rock systems. Present book is an endeavour to cover small mammals of the whole state. The book is first of its kind in India, which takes into account habitat preference, food and feeding behaviour, home range, activity pattern, reproductive behaviour, biochemical communication and physiology of small mammals of desert and hilly terrain. It also includes zoogeography of small mammals found in Rajasthan and changes in faunistic composition being brought by canal and tube well irrigation.

It is expected that book will be quite useful for students, researchers, and teachers of ecology and zoology."