7
$\begingroup$

I'm trying to get/renew basic knowledge of species. Could someone recommend a book for surveying "important"/"representational" species? I am looking for a book with good illustrations and that covers most "important"/"representational" species.

I am currently reading The Tree of Life: A Phylogenetic Classification, and it is thicker than I want to read as a first book in this kind.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
4
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ The book you are using is the one I was going to recommend. With perhaps 8.7 million species (plosbiology.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pbio.1001127), there is no short route. $\endgroup$
    – kmm
    Commented Jan 16, 2012 at 0:02
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ If you are OK with a web solution, this answer (biology.stackexchange.com/a/395/107) might be useful. $\endgroup$
    – kmm
    Commented Jan 16, 2012 at 1:19
  • $\begingroup$ Most general surveys of species I've seen (in school, for instance) tend to go through the phyla (for animals) and the divisions (for plants) and looks at the general characteristics of each group. Would that be sufficient for your needs? $\endgroup$
    – Gaurav
    Commented Mar 7, 2012 at 9:06
  • $\begingroup$ Yes. That will be sufficient for my needs. $\endgroup$
    – qazwsx
    Commented Mar 7, 2012 at 13:35

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$

Judging from your response to Gurav in the comments, it sounds like introductory zoology and plant biology texts would fit the bill.

For zoology, we teach from Hickman et al's Integrated Principles of Zoology. It outlines the major phyla, their defining characteristics, with plenty of specific examples scattered throughout. There are nice little problem sets throughout, and it goes into a solid amount of detail for a first or second year zoology course.

For plants, I've used Graham et al's Plant Biology, which takes a similar general approach. Though it's perhaps a bit broader, and less species-focused.

Both of these books outline the major relevant groups, and use 'representative' species to illustrate various biological points throughout. They might be a good place to start!

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .