2017 377 Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises

2017 BOOK REVIEWS 377 Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises By Erich Hoyt. 2017. Firefly Books. 300 pages, 49.95 CAD, Cloth. Written by a British-based, dual-citizen Canadian tion that individual animals could be photographed and who is a research scientist, conservationist, and author, identified by distinctive species-specific features, such the Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises as flukes, dorsal fins, pigmentation patterns, scars, and provides an interesting and beautiful global overview wounds. this led to great advances in previously dif- of cetaceans. Part pictorial guide, part research over - ficult areas to research such as migration, distribution, view, part coffee table book, and part call to action, and social behaviour. In a general book such as this and brimming with incredibly beautiful photographs obviously not all biological facts can be provided, but showing cetaceans in action, this book will appeal to it does provide an interesting and sometimes astound- many readers in its attractive, easy-to-read format. ing array of biological information. It is quite enlight- the reader will learn a great deal. the book contains ening how little is still known about some cetacean many interesting facts about this hugely popular yet species, even breeding areas and species taxonomy, mystical group of marine mammals. In recounting the and how recently much of the known scientific infor- history of cetacean research and monitoring, the author mation has been gathered. It was sobering to learn that emphasized the major progress made with the realiza- almost half of all cetaceans globally are considered 378 THE CANADIAN FIELD -N ATURALIST Vol. 131 Data Deficient, with insufficient data to determine sta - among 14 species of baleen whales (Mysticetes) in tus. the book is filled with many fascinating and inter - four families, and 76 species of toothed whales (odon - esting facts on cetacean life history, with the author tocetes) comprising the large-, medium-, and small- often sharing insights and observations from his own sized toothed whales, all with examples. Some inadver - research. the discussion on Killer Whale ( Orcinus tent technical language was occasionally introduced orca ) ecotypes (fish-, mammal- and shark-feeding) was with inadequate explanation, e.g., the term “fluid fusion particularly well done. fission societies” is introduced at one point but not actu - the author conveys successfully the essence of the ally explained until almost 60 pages later and most fully breadth and methods of various research approaches explained 100 pages on. there is also the occasional used today, such as transect surveys, acoustic studies, inadvertent duplication of information, sometimes in and faecal analysis. Consistent with his concerns about close proximity. conservation, he delved into some detail on the poten - A glossary would have been very helpful, even tial ly harmful nature of invasive studies, such as satellite though most terms are described somewhere in the tagging, outlining a series of questions for researchers text. Given the general/overview nature of the book, considering whether such research should be conducted. the absence of referenced citations is perhaps not sur - the book is logically laid out, although the content is prising, although I often found myself wanting to know not always well organized. Chapters on the shared his - the source of, or to follow-up on, some specific inter - tory of humans and cetaceans, cetacean research, basic esting fact. the list of select references for the main biology, conservation, and future prospects bracket three sources used also provides recommended further read - central chapters containing species accounts devoted to ing. the index is useful and comprehensive, although the life history and social behaviour of the three main the print is very small. cetacean groups: baleen whales, toothed whales, and A relatively few apparent errors, inconsistencies, or dolphins and porpoises. Unfortunately, these latter areas of potential confusion in the species status sec - chapters treat individual species inconsistently and do tion were noted. A figure showing the four humpback not cover all species, with no clear rationale for what dolphin species switched identification for two of them. species are and are not included. these chapters do not Maui Dolphin was referred to inconsistently as both always build on information in a logical progression, a population and a subspecies of Hector’s Dolphin sometimes beginning with a discussion of a specific (Cephalorhynchus hectori ), perhaps a consequence of species and only later in the chapter describing the gen - its relatively recent recognition as a subspecies. A ref - eral characteristics of that particular group of cetaceans, erence to and a photograph of Antarctic Minke Whale often within the section for one specific species. this (Balaenoptera bonaerensis ) were included within the confusion is in part due to the use of extensive insert species account for Common Minke Whale ( Balae - boxes, often placed in the midst of other accounts. this noptera acutorostrata ) rather than in a separate section. is especially disruptive when extensive insert boxes Although listed by the International Union for Con - (e.g., two pages) have been placed in the midst of text, servation of Nature (IUCN) as Critically Endangered, and even in the midst of sentences. they are usually Baiji ( Lipotes vexillifer ) of the yangtze River is vari - indistinguishable from regular text except for different ously described as “extinct”, “considered extinct”, colouration; in most cases, it would have been less con - “driven to extinction”, and, perhaps most accurately, as fusing and more effective to treat the information in “probably extinct”. the Critically Endangered Vaquita the text box as just another sequential section in the (Phocoena sinus ) is described as the “most endangered chapter. Although these three central chapters account cetacean in the world, the one closest to extinction”, for one-third of the book’s length, they are less useful a designation that only makes sense if one concludes for between-species comparisons than the appendix, that Baiji is extinct. which provides consistent information on all 90 cur - Figures are not numbered, and information on them rently recognized species of cetaceans, including illus - is often presented out of order relative to the text, often trations and brief but standard summaries of size, habi - by several pages. In many cases, linking a text descrip - tat, range, diet, social aspects, and conservation status. tion to a specific figure to demonstrate what is being However, the size comparison charts of the three major explained would have been helpful. Global distribution cetacean groups at the end of each chapter are very maps would have been a very valuable addition for all illustrative. Each species in these charts is cross-refer - species. For example, two of five populations of Bow - enced with the species summary in the appendix; further head Whale ( Balaena mysticetus ) globally are identi - cross-references linked to those species addressed in fied as Endangered but with no indication of the loca - the central three chapters would have been useful. tion of these populations. Although the author does an admirable job, it is dif - the author quite appropriately places a great deal of ficult to produce a book such as this that is suitable for emphasis on the conservation of and future prospects lay readers while also covering the necessary scientific for cetaceans. Future challenges facing the world’s ceta - detail. one example would be the discussion on taxon - ceans are many, and addressing them will take long- omy, where in one complex paragraph the author tries term, dedicated commitment from society as a whole. to describe in overview the relationships between and the future of cetaceans is addressed objectively and 2017 BOOK REVIEWS 379 realistically, neither glossing over the challenges and cean species is inconsistently referenced in the species probable upcoming extinctions nor giving in to despair accounts, being identified for some species but not oth- or hopelessness. there are many initiatives underway ers; it is, however, consistently referenced in the ap - or proposed that would improve the future prospects for pendix. many cetacean species. the author also suggests a num- this book is very ambitious in its scope and meets ber of practical measures people can take to get in - many of its objectives. Comprehensive, colourful, and volved as citizen scientists and “whale savers”. While full of interesting facts, it does an excellent job of show- not all species are treated equally, the plight of some of ing the diversity of cetaceans around the world and rais- the most imperilled species is eloquently and evoca- ing awareness of conservation challenges and concerns tively described. for their future. It does treat some species in more de - the discussion of conservation issues and challenges tail than others, sometimes inconsistently addresses is extremely interesting and useful, although not always different life history components, and specific infor- well organized or easy to find. A specific chapter is mation is not always easy to find. However, as an over - devoted to this topic, but the author often delves deeply view to the diversity, ecology, and life history of ceta - into conservation status or issues in the midst of the ceans and a summary of major conservation challenges species accounts, creating some confusion over where facing them now and into the future, it is an excellent to look for conservation information. Given the recent addition to your natural history and conservation spate of deaths of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubal- library. aena glacialis) in Canada, it was disappointing that the book’s discussion of threats to this species concentrated tED ARMStRoNG almost solely on USA waters. the IUCN status of ceta - thunder Bay, oN, Canada.

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