A Field Guide To The Smaller Moths Of South East Asia

This text brings together fundamental information on insect taxa, morphology, ecology, behavior, physiology, and genetics. Close relatives of insects, such as spiders and mites, are included.

This book contains research findings from three major study areas, natural sciences, social sciences, and public policy and management. The focus area extends over geographical zones ranging from mountainous area of Mount Gagau in the Taman Negara National Park, down to the coastal islands of Bidong, Redang and Perhentian on the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Chapters on natural sciences examine the physicochemical characteristics of water, physiological and ecological constraints to geological and climatological aspects. The social science and management chapters observe the rich ethno-heritage of local communities and how they interact and develop as a culture, and public policy for sustainable management. Viewpoints from political science, history, sociology, economics, anthropology and management science are also taken into account. This book is intended for researchers and graduate students to create an understanding of the rich heritage, while policy makers plan for future generations. Readers will benefit from this book by studying the gaps in the current knowledge and move to develop further research to understand the unexplored forest canopies and the dynamics of the changing Greater Kenyir landscapes.

This book is a fully revised and updated second edition of the only comprehensive guide to the mammals of South-east Asia, one of the world's richest regions in terms of mammal diversity, where species new to science are still being described regularly, though there is increasing pressure on all of its wild mammal populations. From large mammals such as the elephant, big cats, dolphins and whales through bears, monkeys and badgers to bats, civets, rats and shrews, more than 550 species are described in detail, including key identification characteristics, habitat, behaviour, distribution and status, accompanied by line drawings of footprints and details of anatomy, or other aspects of identification. Beautiful colour plates depict nearly all species and their variations, while accompanying range maps provide up-to-date information on distribution. This field guide is essential for any naturalist or traveller visiting this special corner of Asia.

Conservation interest in moths, by far the predominant components of Lepidoptera, lags far behind that for butterflies, for which conservation practice provides many well-established lessons for extension to their near relatives. The needs of moths are at least as great, but their greater richness and variety, and far poorer documentation of diversity and biology over much of the world contribute to this lack of attention. Australia’s rich moth fauna, largely endemic and of global interest, illustrates many of the problems of developing wider interest and support for moth conservation. Numerous species (perhaps half the total fauna) are undescribed, and many are ecological specialists in restricted and vulnerable environments over small parts of the continent. Establishing their conservation status and needs whilst accepting that foundation knowledge is highly incomplete and much species-focused conservation is impracticable provides complex problems in setting priorities, based largely on wider diversity and effective advocacy. Most Australian vegetation systems, from grassland to forest and from sea-level to alpine zones, have been eroded in extent and quality since European settlement, resulting in massive habitat changes for native insects and to leave fragmented (and commonly degraded) remnants in which moths and others may persist. Recent surveys continue to increase recorded moth richness, reveal local faunal peculiarities, and indicate how assemblage changes may mirror wider environmental changes. This book is an overview of advances in documenting and interpreting moth diversity and ecology, to show how information from better-studied moth faunas can help in planning conservation of Australia’s moths through measures such as understanding the moths themselves by increased surveys and study, the factors influencing their diversity and wellbeing, and how such threats may be countered through increased coordinated conservation interest, commitment and management.

South-East Asia is home to one of the most diverse reptile faunas on Earth. A Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-East Asia is the first comprehensive guide to the snakes, lizards, crocodiles, tortoises and turtles of the region. Covering more than 1000 species and subspecies in thorough detail, this field guide provides authoritative, up-to-date information on identification, habitat, behaviour, subspecies, distribution and status. The informative text explains the behaviour and morphology of reptiles, as well as how to measure and identify species according to scale counts and other anatomical features. South-East Asia is one of the most important ecotourism destinations in the world, with an expanding local market as wildlife conservation assumes greater prominence locally. This guide is essential reading for anyone interested in the wildlife of the region - wildlife enthusiasts, students, conservation planners and specialists alike.