PSB 65 (3) 2019 times. The photos are small but clear and would likely allow for positive identification. The reptile section also provides short descriptions of each species without measurements for the most part, but the photos should allow for a positive identification. A few of the descriptions do include some unfortunate wording in that they list animals as non-poisonous. Given the context I believe they should have used non-venomous. The reference is used for two gopher snakes, which are constrictors and non-venomous. Given their mobility I would have expected to see more birds in the bird section. Introduced species have taken a toll on the native animals, and populations are struggling to rebound. Most species are now protected but have a long road to recovery. The descriptions are again short but were likely restricted to allow for the English and Spanish text. The color photos show a lot of detail and should allow for positive identifications. The mammal section is similar to the others, but also includes some of the introduced species that the islands are actively trying to control and eliminate for reference. All sections include a designation in the upper right corner if the species is listed by the Mexican government or United States of America with protected status. This would be a useful guide for anyone planning to visit these islands for ecotourism or study. -David W. MacDougall, CWB® Consulting Biologist
Sedges and Rushes of Minnesota: The Complete Guide to Species Identification
By Welby R. Smith (Photos by Richard Haug) 2018. ISBN 978-1-5179-0275-9 Paperback, US$39.95. 667 pp. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN
Over the last 10 years, a number of fine books have been produced that cover the Cyperaceae or Carex for Midwestern states (Wisconsin, Indiana) or other regions that have significant overlap with the Midwest (Maine). Now we have a book that covers the family for Minnesota, and even includes the Juncaceae, which is a welcome addition to the world of graminoid field guides. This book starts with the typical “how to use this guide” detailing how Smith has approached the difficult task of covering these challenging groups. The species descriptions were made de novo, with measurements taken exclusively from 25,000 specimens collected across Minnesota. So, this guide shows the range of variation within the covered taxa but based solely on Minnesota populations. This is an interesting approach, and one that I greatly appreciate, as it allows the reader to see how local populations within a species’ overall range may differ from one another. Another feature that I really like about the book is the inclusion of three maps of Minnesota in the introduction. These depict major substrate types, major vegetation zones at the time of public land survey (18471907), and the three major vegetation zones distilled into three provinces. This provides a lot of context for understanding species’ distributions, and I wish more guides would include maps like these.
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