Behaviour and ecology of riparian mammals / edited by Nigel Dunstone and Martyn L. Gorman.

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Adaptations to the semi-aquatic habit and habitat / N. Dunstone -- Physiological challenges in semi-aquatic mammals : swimming against the energetic tide / T.M. Williams -- Diving capacity and foraging behaviour of the water shrew (Neomys fodiens) / P. Vogel [and others] -- Habitat use by water shrews, the smallest of amphibious mammals / S. Churchfield -- Importance of the riparian environment as a habitat for British bats / P.A. Racey -- Preliminary study of the behaviour of the European mink Mustela lutreola in Spain, by means of radiotracking / S. Palazón and J. Ruiz-Olmo -- Demography of European otters Lutra lutra / M.L. Gorman [and others] -- Habitat use and conservation of otters (Lutra lutra) in Britain : a review / H. Kruuk [and others] -- Relationship between riverbank habitat and prey availability and the distribution of otter (Lutra lutra) signs : an analysis using a geographical information system / T.J. Thom [and others] -- Influence of altitude on the distribution, abundance and ecology of the otter (Lutra lutra) / J. Ruiz-Olmo -- Diets of semi-aquatic carnivores in northern Belarus, with implications for population changes / V. Sidorovich [and others] -- Otter (Lutra lutra) prey selection in relation to fish abundance and community structure in two different freshwater habitats / D.N. Carss [and others] -- Diet, foraging behaviour and coexistence of African otters and the water mongoose / D.T. Rowe-Rowe and M.J. Somers -- Feeding ecology of the smooth-coated otter Lutra perspicillata in the National Chambal Sanctuary, India / S.A. Hussain and B.C. Choudhury -- Population trends of hippopotami in the rivers of the Kruger National Park, South Africa / P.C. Vilijoen and H.C. Briggs -- Reproductive strategies of female capybaras : dry-season gestation / E.A. Herrera -- Continuing decline of the European mink Mustela lutreola : evidence for the intraguild aggression hypothesis / T. Maran [and others] -- Otters and pollution in Spain / J. Ruiz-Olmo, J.M. López-Martín and M. Delibes -- Rapid impact of resident American mink on water voles : case studies in lowland England / C. Strachan [and others] -- Status, habitat use and conservation of giant otter in Peru / C. Schenck and E. Staib.

Many mammals, such as otters, live in close association with rivers and streams, feeding in them, or using them as a place of safety or means of escape from predators. The distinct adaptations that riparian mammals have evolved in order to live in these environments also handicap them for living elsewhere. They are therefore threatened by alterations to their environment. In recent years our rivers have become highly polluted, and with bankside modifications for agriculture and forestry, enhanced or decreased water flow, and use for recreation, they become less and less suitable for these highly specialized animals. This 1998 book looks at the habitat utilization, adaptation, feeding ecology and conservation status of a range of riparian mammals, and will give insights into the problems facing these fascinating animals, and how they might be overcome.