Links Lizards:

Download Links Lizards: PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1457549409
Total Pages : 206 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (575 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Links Lizards: by : Tom Hoch

Download or read book Links Lizards: written by Tom Hoch and published by Dog Ear Publishing. This book was released on 2016-09-16 with total page 206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Eddie and Ronnie are back with a driver in one hand and a drink in the other. Their attempts to lie low and live a life of leisurely golf rounds and steaks on the grill with their beautiful wives are thwarted by measures out of their control. The two crazy Mafia golfers somehow figured out that the Michigan hustlers purposely threw their match, and now they want to do it all over again. Meanwhile, Will is following in their footsteps, eager to ply his trade anywhere he can find a gig. The young hustler and his wife, Melissa, are struggling in the financial department. The Battle Creek/Kalamazoo area is not a target rich environment for a guy that needs to make some decent money on the short grass. In need of a big score, he decides to take his game to the next level. Solving your problems is a major part of living. ‘The Grip’ and ‘The Street’ head to Las Vegas hoping to put an end to their situation with the two guys that are harassing them and their women. The Kid finally takes his wife’s advice and enters a legitimate tournament in Silvis, Illinois. When he shows up at the John Deere Classic with his caddy, Mitch, the team’s unorthodox behavior ruffles a few feathers, but they have to admit, the kid from nowhere can play. Links Lizards takes up right where Divot Dogs left off. It’s loaded with golf action, unusual characters, and a ton of surprises. If you love the game, this is your kind of book.

Lizards of the World

Download Lizards of the World PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Ivy Press
ISBN 13 : 1782409572
Total Pages : 242 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (824 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Lizards of the World by : Mark O'Shea

Download or read book Lizards of the World written by Mark O'Shea and published by Ivy Press. This book was released on 2021-03-23 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Lizards of the World is ultimate book on these fascinating creatures, featuring the all the different types of lizard worldwide. As survivors from the time of the dinosaurs, lizards are scaly, cold-blooded, living fossils—relics from a prehistoric world that remain alive and well in ours. Lizards exert a morbid fascination, in many mythologies they are dark creatures, symbolizing death and misfortune. From chameleons and skinks to geckos and iguanas, Lizards of the World brings these creatures firmly into the light, to reveal their extraordinary diversity Found in almost every type of terrain globally, there are almost 6,500 species of lizard, including lizards with frills, horns, or wings, those that drop their tails, and others that squirt blood from their eyes. Here, the lizard family and subfamily profiles, organized phylogenetically, are illustrated with stunning photography. Each profile includes a population distribution map, a table of essential information, and a fascinating commentary revealing notable characteristics, fresh scientific understanding, and the diversity of species. Written by world-renowned herpetologist Mark O’Shea, Lizards of the World is a magnificent showcase of the natural history and beauty of these remarkable reptiles.

Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree

Download Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Univ of California Press
ISBN 13 : 0520269845
Total Pages : 528 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (22 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree by : Jonathan B. Losos

Download or read book Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree written by Jonathan B. Losos and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2011-02-09 with total page 528 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In a book both beautifully illustrated and deeply informative, Jonathan Losos, a leader in evolutionary ecology, celebrates and analyzes the diversity of the natural world that the fascinating anoline lizards epitomize. Readers who are drawn to nature by its beauty or its intellectual challenges—or both—will find his book rewarding."—Douglas J. Futuyma, State University of New York, Stony Brook "This book is destined to become a classic. It is scholarly, informative, stimulating, and highly readable, and will inspire a generation of students."—Peter R. Grant, author of How and Why Species Multiply: The Radiation of Darwin's Finches "Anoline lizards experienced a spectacular adaptive radiation in the dynamic landscape of the Caribbean islands. The radiation has extended over a long period of time and has featured separate radiations on the larger islands. Losos, the leading active student of these lizards, presents an integrated and synthetic overview, summarizing the enormous and multidimensional research literature. This engaging book makes a wonderful example of an adaptive radiation accessible to all, and the lavish illustrations, especially the photographs, make the anoles come alive in one's mind."—David Wake, University of California, Berkeley "This magnificent book is a celebration and synthesis of one of the most eventful adaptive radiations known. With disarming prose and personal narrative Jonathan Losos shows how an obsession, beginning at age ten, became a methodology and a research plan that, together with studies by colleagues and predecessors, culminated in many of the principles we now regard as true about the origins and maintenance of biodiversity. This work combines rigorous analysis and glorious natural history in a unique volume that stands with books by the Grants on Darwin's finches among the most informed and engaging accounts ever written on the evolution of a group of organisms in nature."—Dolph Schluter, author of The Ecology of Adaptive Radiation

Herping Texas

Download Herping Texas PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Texas A&M University Press
ISBN 13 : 1623496659
Total Pages : 338 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (234 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Herping Texas by : Michael A. Smith

Download or read book Herping Texas written by Michael A. Smith and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2018-10-12 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Coiled beneath discarded trash or rocky slabs, basking along river edges, and tucked into rock cuts beside the highway, reptiles and amphibians constantly surround us. While many people go out of their way to avoid snakes or shudder at the thought of touching a toad, herpers take to the field armed with cameras, hooks, and notebooks hoping to come across a horned lizard, green tree frog, or even a diamondback rattlesnake. In Herping Texas: The Quest for Reptiles and Amphibians, Michael Smith and Clint King, expert naturalists and field herpers, take readers on their adventures across the state as they search for favorite herps and rare finds. Organized by ecoregion, Herping Texas describes some of the state’s most spectacular natural places, from Big Bend to the Big Thicket. Each chapter contains photographs of the various snakes, lizards, toads, and turtles Smith and King have encountered on their trips. Part nature travel writing and part guide to field herping, Herping Texas also includes a section on getting started, where the authors give readers necessary background on best field herping practices. A glossary defines herping lingo and scientific terms for newcomers, and an appendix lists threatened and endangered species at the state and federal level. Herping Texas promotes experiencing natural places and wildlife equipped with solid information and a responsible conservation ethic. Throughout their decades tracking herps, Smith and King have collected humorous anecdotes and fascinating facts about reptiles and amphibians. By sharing those, they hope to dispel some of the stigma and false ideas people have about these misunderstood animals.

Reptiles

Download Reptiles PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Nicolae Sfetcu
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 320 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Reptiles by : Nicolae Sfetcu

Download or read book Reptiles written by Nicolae Sfetcu and published by Nicolae Sfetcu. This book was released on 2014-05-13 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today there are 6,800 reptile species on earth; the major groups are alligators and crocodiles, turtles, lizards, and snakes. Reptiles are tetrapods and amniotes, animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane. Today they are represented by four surviving orders: crocodilia (crocodiles, caimans and alligators), sphenodontia (tuataras from New Zealand, squamata (lizards, snakes and amphisbaenids - "worm-lizards"), and testudines (turtles).

The Link

Download The Link PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Little, Brown
ISBN 13 : 0316076457
Total Pages : 195 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (16 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Link by : Colin Tudge

Download or read book The Link written by Colin Tudge and published by Little, Brown. This book was released on 2009-05-20 with total page 195 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For more than a century, scientists have raced to unravel the human family tree and have grappled with its complications. Now, with an astonishing new discovery, everything we thought we knew about primate origins could change. Lying inside a high-security vault, deep within the heart of one of the world's leading natural history museums, is the scientific find of a lifetime - a perfectly fossilized early primate, older than the previously most famous primate fossil, Lucy, by forty-four million years. A secret until now, the fossil - "Ida" to theresearchers who have painstakingly verified her provenance - is the most complete primate fossil ever found. Forty-seven million years old, Ida rewrites what we've assumed about the earliest primate origins. Her completeness is unparalleled - so much of what we understand about evolution comes from partial fossils and even single bones, but Ida's fossilization offers much more than that, from a haunting "skin shadow" to her stomach contents. And, remarkably, knowledge of her discovery and existence almost never saw the light of day. With exclusive access to the first scientiststo study her, the award-winning science writer Colin Tudge tells the history of Ida and her place in the world. A magnificent, cutting-edge scientific detective story followed her discovery, and The Link offers a wide-ranging investigation into Ida and our earliest origins. At the same time, it opens a stunningly evocative window into our past and changes what we know about primate evolution and, ultimately, our own.

Lizards

Download Lizards PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : ABDO
ISBN 13 : 1617141585
Total Pages : 26 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (171 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Lizards by : Julie Murray

Download or read book Lizards written by Julie Murray and published by ABDO. This book was released on 2005-01-01 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Briefly describes the appearance, habitat, behavior, senses, and life cycle of lizards.

Lizards

Download Lizards PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Univ of California Press
ISBN 13 : 9780520234017
Total Pages : 366 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (34 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Lizards by : Eric R. Pianka

Download or read book Lizards written by Eric R. Pianka and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2003-09-24 with total page 366 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides an overview of the diversity of lizards and their major adaptive features. The authors discuss the latest research findings and provide new hypotheses about lizard diversity.

Introduction to Horned Lizards of North America

Download Introduction to Horned Lizards of North America PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Univ of California Press
ISBN 13 : 9780520228252
Total Pages : 198 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (282 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Introduction to Horned Lizards of North America by : Wade C. Sherbrooke

Download or read book Introduction to Horned Lizards of North America written by Wade C. Sherbrooke and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2003-05-08 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Horned 'toads' have long inspired curious humans, from ancient Indian rock artists and the earliest Spanish explorers to modern scientists. These lizards specialize on ants for food, employ distinctive defensive tactics for different enemies, arch their bodies to collect rainwater, and exhibit numerous other adaptations to arid environments. Wade Sherbrooke's wonderful book, packed with facts and personal insights, will give everyone from lay naturalists to seasoned field biologists a new appreciation for these magically bizarre animals."—Harry W. Greene, author of Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in Nature "Written in language understandable by anyone, Sherbrooke's newly revised little book on horned lizards is an exceedingly useful reference that covers most of what is known about these interesting and unusual lizards."—Eric R. Pianka, author of The Lizard Man Speaks "Wade Sherbrooke has provided in this very readable book a concise introduction to the evolution and natural history of the horned lizards, their impact on human art, and their future in an increasingly human-dominated planet. No one has more first-hand knowledge of the life history of horned lizards than Dr. Sherbrooke, so this book represents more than a summary; Sherbrooke provides insight into the life and times of horned lizards as no one else could. Amateur and professional alike will find much to enjoy about this book."—Darrel Frost, American Museum of Natural History Praise for the first edition: "[This is] the horned lizard bible deluxe."—Coevolution

Lizard Ecology

Download Lizard Ecology PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
ISBN 13 : 9780521833585
Total Pages : 560 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (335 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Lizard Ecology by : Stephen M. Reilly

Download or read book Lizard Ecology written by Stephen M. Reilly and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2007-07-12 with total page 560 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Originally published in 2006, this book was the first critical review of the effects of lizard foraging modes in 30 years.

Trophic Cascades

Download Trophic Cascades PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Island Press
ISBN 13 : 1597268194
Total Pages : 487 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (972 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Trophic Cascades by : John Terborgh

Download or read book Trophic Cascades written by John Terborgh and published by Island Press. This book was released on 2013-06-25 with total page 487 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Trophic cascades—the top-down regulation of ecosystems by predators—are an essential aspect of ecosystem function and well-being. Trophic cascades are often drastically disrupted by human interventions—for example, when wolves and cougars are removed, allowing deer and beaver to become destructive—yet have only recently begun to be considered in the development of conservation and management strategies. Trophic Cascades is the first comprehensive presentation of the science on this subject. It brings together some of the world’s leading scientists and researchers to explain the importance of large animals in regulating ecosystems, and to relate that scientific knowledge to practical conservation. Chapters examine trophic cascades across the world’s major biomes, including intertidal habitats, coastal oceans, lakes, nearshore ecosystems, open oceans, tropical forests, boreal and temperate ecosystems, low arctic scrubland, savannas, and islands. Additional chapters consider aboveground/belowground linkages, predation and ecosystem processes, consumer control by megafauna and fire, and alternative states in ecosystems. An introductory chapter offers a concise overview of trophic cascades, while concluding chapters consider theoretical perspectives and comparative issues. Trophic Cascades provides a scientific basis and justification for the idea that large predators and top-down forcing must be considered in conservation strategies, alongside factors such as habitat preservation and invasive species. It is a groundbreaking work for scientists and managers involved with biodiversity conservation and protection.

Classification of the Lizards

Download Classification of the Lizards PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 204 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Classification of the Lizards by : Charles Lewis Camp

Download or read book Classification of the Lizards written by Charles Lewis Camp and published by . This book was released on 1923 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid

Download Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Basic Books
ISBN 13 : 1541672410
Total Pages : 274 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (416 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid by : Thor Hanson

Download or read book Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid written by Thor Hanson and published by Basic Books. This book was released on 2021-09-28 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: *A New York Times Editor's Choice pick *Shortlisted for the 2022 Pacific Northwest Book Awards A beloved natural historian explores how climate change is driving evolution In Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid, biologist Thor Hanson tells the remarkable story of how plants and animals are responding to climate change: adjusting, evolving, and sometimes dying out. Anole lizards have grown larger toe pads, to grip more tightly in frequent hurricanes. Warm waters cause the development of Humboldt squid to alter so dramatically that fishermen mistake them for different species. Brown pelicans move north, and long-spined sea urchins south, to find cooler homes. And when coral reefs sicken, they leave no territory worth fighting for, so aggressive butterfly fish transform instantly into pacifists. A story of hope, resilience, and risk, Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid is natural history for readers of Bernd Heinrich, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and David Haskell. It is also a reminder of how unpredictable climate change is as it interacts with the messy lattice of life.

Behavior of Lizards

Download Behavior of Lizards PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : CRC Press
ISBN 13 : 0429640722
Total Pages : 427 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (296 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Behavior of Lizards by : Vincent Bels

Download or read book Behavior of Lizards written by Vincent Bels and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2019-02-06 with total page 427 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Key features: Presents a contemporary snapshot of the mechanisms underlying the evolution and adaptation of behavior Explores how genetics, epigenetics, development, and environment shape behavior Discusses a broad range of behavioral repertoires and responses, including those related to thermoregulatory, foraging, predatory, displaying, social and escape strategies. Examines physiological and sensory mechanisms Covers the effects of various aspects of global change on behavior, with chapters that focus on the impacts of climate change on hydroregulatory behavior and behavioral responses to the effects of habitat alteration resulting from human-mediated change and colonization by invasive species. Lizards serve as focal organisms for many of biological questions related to evolution, ecology, physiology, and morphology. They are studied at multiple spatial and temporal scales, from the individual to the community level. This book, authored by expert contributors from around the world, explores behaviors underlying the evolution and adaptation of these organisms. It covers conceptual, empirical, and methodological approaches to the understanding of the role that natural and sexual selection play in molding the behavioral traits of lizards. This thorough, illustrated reference should stimulate discussion of the conceptual and methodological approaches for studying the behavioral traits of these fascinating and highly diverse vertebrates.

New Zealand Lizards

Download New Zealand Lizards PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 331941674X
Total Pages : 381 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (194 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis New Zealand Lizards by : David G. Chapple

Download or read book New Zealand Lizards written by David G. Chapple and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-10-05 with total page 381 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This edited volume is a timely and comprehensive summary of the New Zealand lizard fauna. Nestled in the south-west Pacific, New Zealand is a large archipelago that displays the faunal signatures of both its Gondwanan origins, and more recent oceanic island influences. New Zealand was one of the last countries on Earth to be discovered, and likewise, the full extent of the faunal diversity present within the archipelago is only just starting to be appreciated. This is no better exemplified than in lizards, where just 30 species (20 skinks, 10 geckos) were recognized in the 1950s, but now 104 are formally or informally recognized (61 skinks, 43 geckos). Thus, New Zealand contains one of the most diverse lizard faunas of any cool, temperate region on Earth. This book brings together the world’s leading experts in the field to produce an authoritative overview of the history, taxonomy, biogeography, ecology, life-history, physiology and conservation of New Zealand lizards.

Like a Lizard

Download Like a Lizard PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Astra Publishing House
ISBN 13 : 162979211X
Total Pages : 33 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (297 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Like a Lizard by : April Pulley Sayre

Download or read book Like a Lizard written by April Pulley Sayre and published by Astra Publishing House. This book was released on 2019-03-12 with total page 33 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The attributes of 28 different lizards are revealed in this STEM nonfiction picture book, while the story provides a subtle message encouraging children to be true to their own nature. The actions of 28 lizard species--the flying dragon that swoops through the air, the shingleback that sticks out its blue tongue to scare predators, the basilisk that can race across the surface of water--invite readers to act like a lizard themselves. The text by noted author April Pulley Sayre asks: "Can you run like a lizard? Sun like a lizard? Bob your head like a lizard?" Featuring brilliantly colorful, textured artwork by illustrator Stephanie Laberis, the book also includes extensive back matter with further information about the featured lizard species--their size, geographical range, why they perform the various actions introduced in the text--as well as details about lizards in general.

The Natural History of Sydney

Download The Natural History of Sydney PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales
ISBN 13 : 0980327237
Total Pages : 451 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (83 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Natural History of Sydney by : Daniel Lunney

Download or read book The Natural History of Sydney written by Daniel Lunney and published by Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. This book was released on 2009-09-01 with total page 451 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On 3 November 2007, the Royal Zoological Society of NSW held its annual forum, with the topic being The natural history of Sydney. It has remained as the title of this book. The program contained the following introduction as the theme of the forum and it has remained as the theme for this book: “Sydney has a unique natural history, providing a home for iconic animals and plants while remaining a global city. It captured the imagination of prominent naturalists and inspired visits and collecting trips to the infant colony of New South Wales in the late 1790s and early to late 1800s. From these collections flowed great descriptive works detailing the new and unusual animals and plants of the antipodes. Gould, Owen, Huxley, Peron, Banks and many others recounted new and evocative flora and fauna. Many collecting trips for the great museums and institutions in Europe began in Sydney. Sydney still continues to engage naturalists and those grappling with the current drama of climate change and conservation. The Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, founded in Sydney in 1879, is a product of the grand 19th century tradition of natural history, with a particular emphasis on animal life. Sydney is also home to some of Australia’s oldest and finest institutions, such as the Australian Museum, the University of Sydney and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Throughout Sydney, there are places where the natural habitat has not been supplanted by urban growth, and the interest in Sydney’s endemic flora and fauna remains strong. This forum draws on a magnificent interdisciplinary vision while continuing to employ all the modern tools in the investigation and communication of Sydney’s natural history. It reflects a resurgence in local history and pursues the natural history of our harbour-side city in a modern framework.” The day of the forum was a captivating display of the diversity of the fauna of Sydney, both native and introduced, and its varied habitats, and of the diverse ways of appreciating natural history, including the history of natural history. Also on display was the depth of scholarship lying behind each of the presentations. The subject clearly has a profound hold on many professional biologists, historians and those keen to conserve their local area, but if the day is any guide, there are vastly more people living in or visiting Sydney who have more than a passing interest in this topic. The subject matter ranged from the history of institutions engaged in natural history, through animal groups as diverse as reptiles and cicadas, to ideas on how to see Sydney as a natural setting. Other papers dealt with the use by Aboriginal peopleof the native biota in terms of fishing and being displayed in rock paintings, before the arrival of the colonists. There is little doubt that this theme could run to 10 volumes, not just this one, but the diversity of ideas, skills and organisms displayed in this one book will serve as a guide to what lies beyond these pages. A considerable effort was made by each author to present their material as both interesting and accurate. The material is built on lifetimes of sustained effort to study, record and communicate findings and ideas. It is also built on the lifetime work of our predecessors, who laboured to find and record the natural history of Sydney. We are indebted to their efforts. This book records not only the outcome of a successful day of presentations, but more importantly the lifelong scholarship of those authors in each of the specialist fields. Not only have the authors been absorbed by documenting the biodiversity, they have included studies, or intelligent speculation, on the factors which have impacted on this diversity since Cook sailed along the NSW coast in 1770. The Macquarie Dictionary, e.g. the revised third edition, defines ‘natural history’ as ‘the science or study dealing with all objects in nature’, and ‘the aggregate of knowledge connected with such knowledge’. This makes natural history of wide interest to the entire community of Sydney, both residents and visitors. However, we have specialised to the extent that we have focused principally on fauna, the RZS being a zoological society. Nevertheless, plant communities are recognised as part and parcel of the natural history of Sydney, as is a sense of the geography of the city, with its magnificent harbour, sandstone backdrop and spectacular national parks surrounding the city. Also of great importance is how others in the past have seen the natural history of what is now called Sydney. All these ideas are captured in this book. One of the strengths of being a naturalist, i.e. ‘one who is versed in or devoted to natural history, especially a zoologist or botanist’ (Macquarie Dictionary), is the opportunity to look across the individual disciplines, be it a specialist in birds, mammals or polychaetes, a taxonomist, or an ecologist or writer. Their advantage is the ability to see the richness of a place such as Sydney. Consequently, most botanists and zoologists have one or two highly specialised skills, but a keen interest in the broader picture and can thus appreciate the importance of, for example, cave art or fish diversity in the harbour, and recognise that the vertebrate fauna of Sydney has changed over the 222 years since European settlement, and no doubt the invertebrate fauna has changed although it is less easily assessed. Our aim in this book is to draw attention to the natural history of Sydney for scholars, as well as those who have the task of looking after a particular area, such as within a local government area, or a particular taxon, such as reptiles or fish, and those who have the opportunity to conserve areas, taxa or institutions through their employment or legislative responsibilities. It is also for teachers and lecturers, colleagues in other cities and towns in Australia, and those with a keen interest in managing our urban wildlife, our cultural heritage or promoting the profound value of our natural heritage within a city landscape. It also displays the importance of museum and herbarium collections in documenting the changes since 1770.