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 eastrn 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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ishwar Prakash
Dr. Ishwar Prakash was born, broughtup and educated in the desert. He has spent all his career carrying out research on ecology of the Thar. He was the Professor of Eminence at Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur and Senior Scientist of Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi. His latter researches have been supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. For the last ten years he has been associated with the Desert Regional Station, Zoological Survey of India, Jodhpur. With his devotion over five decades to the Thar Desert, his continuing research work ranges from the ecology of vertebrates, especially mammals, biochemical communication among rodents, rodent pest management, wildlife conservation, montane small mammals; to the desertification processes and impact assessment of the biotic pressure on the xeric environment. Dr. Prakash has published over 325 papers, 20 monographs and books. He is considered an authority on desert ecology. Dr. Prakash, by virtue of his pioneering and outstanding work, has been the recipient of several National Awards. He is Fellow of various national and international scientific academies and is serving on a number of policymaking committees.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pratap Singh
Dr. Pratap Singh did his M.E. (Farm Machinery) from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal during the year 1975. He obtained his Ph.D. degree from Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur during 1986. He is recipient of prestigious Jawahar Lal Nehru award and also honoured with Gold Medal by Dr. K.N. Nag in Indian society of Agricultural Engineering. Dr. Singh started his career as Assistant Professor in the field of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering at University of Udaipur. During his service career he has worked on different positions including Head, Department of Farm Machinery and power Engineering and Dean, college of Technology and Agricultural Engineering, Udaipur. At present Dr. Singh is Director of Research, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur. Dr. Singh has published more than 100 research papers in various journals and magazines of national and international repute. He is the recipient of R.K. Jain Memorial Award of Indian society of Agricultural Engineers for outstanding work in the field of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering. He is also Fellow of Institution of Engineers and Indian Society of Agriculture Engineers. Dr. Singh has also held the post of Present, Rajasthan Chapter ISAE (1992-1995). He has also written a book entitled Agriculture Development in Rajasthan.
There are no reviews yet.