African Wildlife and Environment Issue 68

GENERAL

GENERAL

GOOD READS

GOOD READS

Book reviews by Dr John Ledger

Book reviews by Dr John Ledger

Frogs of South Africa Du Preez, Louis & Vincent Carruthers (2017). Frogs of Southern Africa – a Complete Guide (new edition). Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town. Soft cover, 17x24 cm, 519 pp, illustrated in colour throughout with photographs, sketches and distribution maps.

A guide to mammals Stuart, Chris & Mathilde (2018). Stuarts’ Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa, including Angola, Zambia & Malawi . Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town. Soft cover, 15x21 cm, 456 pp, illustrated in colour throughout with photographs, sketches and distribution maps.

Old Fourlegs Bruton, Mike (2017). The Annotated Old Fourlegs. The Updated Story of the Coelacanth. Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town. Soft cover, 21.5x21.5 cm, 336 pp, illustrated in colour throughout with photographs and sketches. ISBN 978-1-7758-4499-0. R350 The Coelacanth was believed to have evolved some 400 million years ago, was known only from fossil remains, and was also believed to have gone extinct around 66 million years ago. And so when a specimen was captured by a trawler off the mouth of the Chalumna River near East London in 1938, it created a sensation in scientific circles. Miss Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer of the East London Museum realised that the fish she

found on the trawler was something special, and got in touch with JLB Smith in Grahamstown. He recognised what it was, and described it as Latimeria chalumnae . After an extensive publicity campaign to alert people living on the Indian Ocean islands about the possible existence of coelacanths, a second specimen was captured in the Comores in 1952. In a dramatic turn of events, the then Prime Minister of South Africa, Dr DF Malan, approved the use of an air force Dakota aircraft by Smith to collect the specimen, subsequently named Malania anjouanea . Professor Smith published the dramatic story of the coelacanth in his 1956 book Old Fourlegs – The Story of the Coelacanth . This turned the fish scientist into a cult figure, and put South African science firmly on the world map. The book has been translated into nine foreign languages, and six English editions. This excellent new publication by Professor Mike Bruton includes a facsimile reprint on the original book, but with wide margins in which notes and images have been added that provide interesting and revealing commentary on Smith’s text. There are also new introductory and explanatory chapters that bring the story of the coelacanth fully up to date. This is a superb book about a remarkable man – everyone interested in South African biology and history will want to have a copy!

ISBN 978-1-7758-4544-7. R450 This is a true ‘blockbuster’ of a book, a fantastic contribution to the natural history of southern Africa, and the most authoritative and comprehensive account of the frogs of the region ever produced. It covers all aspects of identification, and frog and tadpole behaviour of all 164 southern African frog species. Completely up to date, the book reflects the taxonomic changes based on the most recent research and DNA studies, and includes seven new species recently discovered and described. There is also information on conservation status, calls, habits and habitat. Identification is aided by large, excellent photographic images, distribution maps, keys to species and summary panels on ‘Key ID points’ and ‘Distinctive Characters’. Frog calls can also be accessed instantly via QR codes in the book, or can be downloaded from www.frogbook.co.za . This excellent publication will be prized by all nature enthusiasts, amateur ‘froggers’, as well as by students and professional scientists.

ISBN 978-1-7758-4111-1. R390 This classic guide has been extensively updated to reflect the most recent taxonomic findings, and has also been expanded to include three additional southern African countries. This guide will help nature enthusiasts to identify the larger iconic mammals, as well as the often bewildering array of smaller species. In addition to detailed descriptions of each species, the text brings insights into key identification features, typical behaviour, preferred habitat, food choice, reproduction and longevity. The region has almost 400 mammal species, ranging from tiny shrews and bats to the mighty elephant and the two rhinos. There are also many marine mammals, such as seals, dolphins and whales, which inhabit both coastal and deeper waters. All these are depicted in almost 400 species accounts, 800 photographs and over 370 distribution maps. Highly recommended!

An indespensable guide Stuart, Chris & Mathilde (2018). Stuarts’ Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of South Africa . Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town. Soft cover, 15x21 cm, 519 pp, illustrated in colour throughout with photographs, sketches and distribution maps. ISBN 978-1-7758-4611-6. R300

Bird calls of East Africa Richards, Dave & Brian Finch (2015). 100 Common Bird Calls in East Africa . Struik Nature, an imprint

of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town. Soft cover, 15x21 cm, 64 pp, illustrated in colour throughout

Letters from the Southern Rift Ferrar, Sandy Dacombe (2017). Xafrica . Letters from the Southern Rift. Volume 1 . Self-published by the author. Soft cover, 15x23 cm, 192 pp, illustrated with line sketches by the author. ISBN 978-1-9790-5962-6. Available from Takealot/books. R155 Sandy Dacombe’s name is well known to more mature South Africans (like me) for her wonderful natural history radio programme called Talking of Nature , one of the longest-running programmes of the old SABC radio station. It was discontinued with the revamping of broadcasting when Radio South Africa became SAfm in 1995. This book is a collection of observations and reflections on the charm and mystery of natural southern Africa, its wildlife and nature reserves, spanning five years and the four countries of Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi and South Africa. The chapters are short, charming, beautifully written, easy to read (thanks to the large type used) and illustrated by Sandy’s own excellent line drawings in black and white. The latter are testimony to her training as an artist, and add an extra dose of charm to the book. Sandy’s writing is excellent, and this is a book you might ‘keep handy to dip into from time to time’. Sandy is married to Tony Ferrar, a WESSA stalwart, and they live in Barberton within a geological paradise with some of the oldest rocks in the world. I loved reading this book, and I am sure you will too!

This is a thoroughly revised and updated edition of an indispensable guide to South Africa’s best and most accessible conservation areas. Each of the 43 featured reserves (arranged by province) includes information on the history, landscape, geology vegetation and wildlife, a detailed map indicating places of interest and top viewing spots, and text panels with highlights, climate and facilities. The book is lavishly illustrated with more than 900 colour photographs, and a pictorial ID guide at the back features the most commonly seen birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, flowers and trees. This book will be valued and used by tourists and nature lovers, and will also inspire people to visit protected areas that are new to them, or off the beaten track. Have you heard of the Goegap Nature Reserve (spring flowers and dramatic granitic scenery), or the Witsand Nature Reserve (an isolated sand dune system rich in life), or the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve (spectacular scenery in a Cape heathland setting)? Go out and visit them!

with photographs and distribution maps, plus

CD with bird calls. ISBN 978-1-7758-.4251-4. R130

This handy little book with its accompanying CD will be useful to visitors to East Africa who are interested in the birds of the region. Each of the birds is illustrated by a colour photo and a distribution map. There is also information of habitat, behaviour, feeding and nesting preferences of each bird, along with a description of the call. Whether it is a duet of Tropical Boubous, the liquid whistle of a Black-headed Oriole, the beautiful song of a secretive Grey-capped Warbler, or the less than melodious call of the Pied Crow, this is a valuable aid to birdwatchers in appreciating, identifying and understanding bird sounds.

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