From the era of early cave paintings to the present time, ruminants - deer, antelopes, cattle, buffalo, goats, giraffes and their relatives - have captured the human imagination. Present on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, they have also been more important to human subsistence than any other mammalian group. This book is a discussion of the evolution, biology, relationships, and conservation of this fascinating and ecologically important group of mammals. Eminent authorities from around the world have contributed to this book on ruminants, integrating information from palaeontology, molecular and population genetics, anatomy, morphology, and field studies of behaviour, ecology, and the effects of climate change. Also covered are the genetics, morphology, and behaviour of the saola (one of several new species recently found in the Annamite Mountains between Laos and Vietnam) and other survivors from isolated and ancient branches on the ruminant family tree. Many of the living species are endangered, say the authors, and knowledge of their history, evolution, and basic biology is critical to their conservation.

Elisabeth S. Vrba is professor of geology and geophysics at Yale University. She is also coeditor of Paleoclimate and Evolution, with Emphasis on Human Origins (ISBN 0 300 06348 2, #60.00), published by Yale University Press. George B. Schaller is a conservation biologist at the Wildlife Conservation Society.

"This book on artiodactyl evolution, ecology, systematics, and conservation is both sound and stimulating." Rob DeSalle, American Museum of Natural History