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Is the available in places like Borders? Else where can this be found?
Southeast Asia is a land of amazing biodiversity. In fact it is one of the drowned continents during the melting of ice from the last ice age maxima (12-8,000 years before present). The preflooding southeast Asia (Sundaland) is roughly the size of India.
Here I like to introduce a book on the systematics of a group of fishes endemic to the island of Borneo, part of the drowned Sundaland subcontinent.
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Dr. TAN Heok Hui's PhD thesis has been expanded into a 250-page book with complete revision and description of the three related genera (Gastromyzon, Hypergastromyzon, and Neogastromyzon), and published by the Natural History Publications (Borneo) ISBN: 983-812-105-3.
From the dust cover…
About the book
The systematics of the genera Gastromyzon, Hypergastromyzon and Neogastromyzon of the family Balitoridae, all of which are endemic to Borneo, are revised. These genera possess an increased number and enlarged size in the pectoral and pelvic fins, fused pelvic fins and dorso-ventrally flattened bodies. They live in the headwater and hillstreams, typically in fast-flowing water over a rocky substratum. All type material of the 21 known species of Gastromyzon is re-described, with another 15 new species described. The genus Gastromyzon, now with 36 species, is divided into 11 artificial species groups: Gastromyzon borneensis group, G. punctulatus group, G. fasciatus group, G. contractus group, G. ctenocephalus group, G. lepidogaster group, G. ridens group, G. danumensis group, G. pariclavis group, G. ocellatus group and G. auronigrus group. The status of G. borneensis and G. lepidogaster is resolved with fresh topotypical material. The taxonomy of G. borneensis, G. danumensis, G. fasciatus, G. lepidogaster and G. punctulatus is clarified with fresh material and material from a wider distribution. A lectotype is designated for G. monticola. The life coloration of 26 species of Gastromyzon is illustrated, together with line drawings of juvenile of 15 species.
The genus Neogastromyzon is also revised and the identities of the two known species clarified and another four new species are described. All type material is illustrated, with life coloration of 3 species. A brief diagnosis of Hypergastromyzon is also included. An artificial key is provided for all species of Gastromyzon, Hypergastromyzon and Neogastromyzon. The biogeographical, ecological observations and biology of these balitorids are compiled and presented.
The Author
Dr. Tan Heok Hui, who obtained his doctorate degree in fish systematics from the National University fo Singapore in 2003, has had a strong interest in animals and plants since a very young age. He started to keep fishes as a hobby when he was nine. After entering the Nationa University of Singapore in 1992, he started to study the sceince of fish in a more serious manner. With encouragement and support from his supervisor (Prof. Peter Ng) and mentor (Maurice Kottelat), his family and friends, this interest was nurtured and further cultivated. Having taken part in numerous field trips in Southeast Asia during the last 13 years, Dr Tan is constantly amazed at the diversity of fish in Borneo. The many interesting fishes of the hill streams and headwaters of Borneo provided an interesting topic for his doctorate research work, which is published here as a taxonomic monograph. Dr Tan has published more than 30 internationally refereed scientific papers, describing more than 50 species of freshwater fishes new to science, including the world's smallest fish species (Paedocypris progenetica) from the peat swamp forests of Indonesia. His other interests include scuba diving, nature and underwater photography, unique flora and herpetology. Most of the photographs in this book were taken by Dr Tan, whose interest in photography was begun by his father.
Dr Tan is currently an Instructor at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore.
Last edited by hwchoy; 22nd Jul 2006 at 12:10.
why I don't do garden hybrids and aquarium strains: natural species is a history of Nature, while hybrids are just the whims of Man.
hexazona · crumenatum · Galleria Botanica
Is the available in places like Borders? Else where can this be found?
SBG Visitor Centre, Nature Niche, will be carrying it. Price $90.
why I don't do garden hybrids and aquarium strains: natural species is a history of Nature, while hybrids are just the whims of Man.
hexazona · crumenatum · Galleria Botanica
Is there somewhere like Petfrd having a MO for the book? $90 can be quite steep so if can offer us hobbists some discount will be good.
Don't be afraid of my duck!
It's pricey because it's not really a hobbyist book but a lavish scientific treatise (representing 5-6 years of field and lab work) outlining the entire three genera, their habitats, taxonomy and other observations by the author about the fishes' ecology, diet, habits and *ahem* cooking methods... There is virtually no information (as far as I have read) about aquarium care for the fishes (just a couple of pages about its role in the aquaria trade), so it's a not a hobbyist-oriented book (although I would think hobbyists who are serious would want to know about all these facts).
Coverage of the book launch in Kota Kinabalu: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/news/index.p...rs-launch01.txt
Dr. Tan showing how big the suckers can grow, followed by a detailed account of what happens should one of those suckers attach itself to sensitive body parts...
Last edited by budak; 22nd Jul 2006 at 20:18.
SA, CA & WA Dwarf Cichlid collector
i think it is worth to keep a copy....
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