The natural history of Madagascar / edited by Steven M. Goodman and Jonathan P. Benstead ; photographs by Harald Schèutz.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

History of scientific exploration -- Geology and soils -- Climate -- Forest ecology -- Human ecology -- Marine and coastal ecosystems -- Plants -- Invertebrates -- Fishes -- Amphibians -- Reptiles -- Birds -- Mammals -- Conservation.

The history of zoological exploration of Madagascar / F. Andriamialisoa and O. Langrand -- Some hypotheses on the Mesozoic and Cenozoic paleoenvironmental history of Madagascar / N.A. Wells -- Mesozoic terrestrial vertebrate faunas : the early history of Madagascar's vertebrate diversity / J.J. Flynn and A.R. Wyss -- Late Cretaceous vertebrates of Madagascar : a window into Gondwanan biogeography at the end of the age of dinosaurs / D.W. Krause -- Madagascar's prehistoric ecosystems / D.A. Burney -- Using geological substrate to identify and map primary vegetation types in Madagascar and the implications for planning biodiversity conservation / D.J. Du Puy and J. Moat -- The climate of Madagascar / M.R. Jury -- Remaining forest cover / J.-M. Dufils -- Rapid methods for characterizing forest structure in Madagascar / L. Cournac, M.A. Dubois and B. Riera -- Littoral forest / R.C. de Gouvenain and J.A. Silander Jr. -- The rise of Malagasy societies : new developments in the archaeology of Madagascar / H.T. Wright and J.A. Rakotoarisoa -- Relationship between human ecological pressure and the vertebrate extinctions / R.E. Dewar -- Comparing agricultural systems in two areas of Madagascar / P. Kistler and S. Spack -- The dilemma of reducing shifting cultivation / T.K. Erdmann -- The Fianarantsoa-East Coast Railroad and its role in eastern forest conservation / K. Schoonmaker Freudenberger -- The role of socio-economic factors in loss of Malagasy biodiversity / J. Durbin, K. Bernard and M. Fenn -- How rules affect conservation outcomes / N. Rabesahala Horning -- Fire and the management of highland vegetation / C.A. Kull -- Human diseases and introduced small mammals / J.-M. Duplantier and J.-B. Duchemin -- Malaria / F. Ariey ... [et al.] --

Viruses / D. Rousset and M.R. Andrianarivelo -- Marine and coastal ecosystems / A. Cooke, J.R.E. Lutjeharms and P. Vasseur -- Mangroves and salt marshes / E. Roger and M. Andrianasolo -- Sea turtles / R. Ratsimbazafy -- Marine mammals / H.C. Rosenbaum -- Megaptera novaeangliae, humpback whale / H.C. Rosenbaum -- Introduction to the flora of Madagascar / L. Gautier and S.M. Goodman -- Aquatic and semiaquatic vascular plants / H.L. Andrianasetra Ranarijaona -- Introduced and invasive plants / P. Binggeli -- Occurrence of alkaloids and phenolics in Malagasy forests and responses by primates / B. Simmen ... [et al.] -- Pollination ecology of plant communities in the dry forests of the southwest / J. Ratsirarson and J.A. Silander Jr. -- Bacillariophyceae, freshwater diatoms / S.A. Spaulding and J.P. Kociolek -- Diversity, ecology, and distribution of the pteridophyte flora / F. Rakotondrainibe -- Checklist to the pteridophytes / F. Rakotondrainibe -- Winteraceae, Takhtajania perrieri / L.B. Thien ... [et al.] -- Annonaceae / A. Le Thomas and G. Aymonin -- Myristicaceae / H. Sauquet -- Moraceae, Ficus and associated fauna / A. Dalecky ... [et al.]

Cactaceae, Opuntia spp., prickly pear / P. Binggeli -- Bombacaceae, Adansonia / D.A. Baum -- Sapotaceae / L. Gautier -- Leguminosae (Fabaceae) / J.-N. Labat and J. Moat -- Baudouinia rouxevillei / L.J. Dorr -- Melastomataceae, princess flowers / F. Almeda -- Euphorbiaceae - overview / P. Hoffmann and G. McPherson -- Euphorbia / T. Haevermans -- Pollination and evolution of euphorb vines in Madagascar / W.S. Armbruster and B.G. Baldwin -- Uapaca woodlands / C.A. Kull -- Anacardiaceae / A. Randrianasolo -- Balsaminaceae / M.E. Rahelivololona, E. Fischer and S. Wohlhauser -- Gentianaceae / S. Wohlhauser, P. Kèupfer, and Y.-M. Yuan -- Verbenaceae, Lantana camara / P. Binggeli -- Scrophulariaceae / E. Fischer -- Gesneriaceae / M. Mèoller -- Bignoniaceae : phylogenetics and evolution of pollination systems / M.L. Zjhra -- Introduction to the Rubiaceae / A. Davis and D. Bridson -- Breonia and related genera (tribe Naucleeae) / S. Razafimandimbison -- Carphalea (tribe Hedyotideae) / S.E. Dawson -- Coffea (tribe Coffeeae) / A. Davis -- Coptosperma and related genera (tribe Pavetteae) / P. De Block -- Gardenia and related genera (tribe Gardenieae subtribe Gardeniinae) / A. Davis and F. Rakotonasolo -- Ixora (tribe Ixoreae) / P. De Block -- Mussaenda and related genera (tribe Mussaendeae) / S. Razafimandimbison -- Paederia (tribe Paederieae) / P. De Block -- Psychotria and related genera (tribe Psychotrieae) / A. Davis -- Vangueria and related genera (tribe Vanguerieae) / A. Davis and D. Bridson --