"An interesting and enjoyable read. . . . Rich detail presented in well-written, logical fashion about the bat fauna of this interesting island." --Acta ChiropterologicaThe Caribbean islands are home to some of the most unusual species of bats. A number of them are endemic, living in no other region of the world. On Puerto Rico alone, thirteen different species have been found. Bats are the only naturally occurring mammals there; all others were introduced after settlement of the island, first by the Taíno Indians and later by the Spanish.Puerto Rico is important for study because of its human history, tropical climate, size, relief, and isolation from the mainland. It is a useful model for understanding how historical, geographic, and environmental factors interact in a controlled environment to affect the diversity and complexity of its resident species.This volume is the first complete compilation of the distribution, natural history, taxonomy, and ecology of the bats of Puerto Rico. The coauthors, all experienced researchers, introduce the book with a discussion of Puerto Rican ecosystems and an overview of facts and misconceptions about bats in general. The main text provides detailed descriptions of each of the thirteen Puerto Rican species, as well as illustrations of their faces and skulls. The book concludes with keys to the characters of these bats and a complete glossary. Maps show the distribution of each species on the island.Bats of Puerto Rico is designed to be an easily used source of information for the general public as well as a complete descriptive record for ecologists, mammalogists, and wildlife biologists.

Most travelers to eastern Puerto Rico come to see and hike El Yunque, the island's second-most-visited tourist destination after Old San Juan, and probably the world's most user-friendly rain forest. Others come for the east coast's three sprawling resort hotels, half a dozen excellent golf courses, the US Navy base, and one of the biggest yachting and sailing charter ports in the Caribbean. But this side of the island has much to offer that eludes most visitors to Puerto Rico, from a glorious, six-mile stretch of deserted beach between Luquillo and Las Cabezas de San Juan, to the red cliffs and lonely lighthouse in the southeast. As with most places, you have to scratch the surface to find the hidden rewards here. Spend a day or two wandering around LoA-za Aldea and talking to locals (or attending their fiestas patronales in late July) to get a deeper understanding of Afro-Caribbean culture. One of the old fishermen of Las Croabas may take you cay-hopping in his wooden sloop, setting you down on some deserted islet to swim in opaque waters. Local surfers gather at a few little-known breaks. Or visit one of the two other nature reserves on the east coast a€" Las Cabezas to San Juan and Humacao a€" where exotic waterfowl, mangrove and dry tropical forest ecosystems and a bioluminescent lagoon await. This guide tells you all about the history and culture of Puerto Rico, how to get there and how to get around, the general information you need. Then it zeros in on the eastern coastal area and all its places to stay and eat, the things to see and do, the fiestas, historic sites, museums, markets - everything you need to know. Filled with maps and photos.

The second largest order of mammals, Chiroptera comprises more than one thousand species of bats. Because of their mobility, bats are often the only native mammals on isolated oceanic islands, where more than half of all bat species live. These island bats represent an evolutionarily distinctive and ecologically significant part of the earth’s biological diversity. Island Bats is the first book to focus solely on the evolution, ecology, and conservation of bats living in the world’s island ecosystems. Among other topics, the contributors to this volume examine how the earth’s history has affected the evolution of island bats, investigate how bat populations are affected by volcanic eruptions and hurricanes, and explore the threat of extinction from human disturbance. Geographically diverse, the volume includes studies of the islands of the Caribbean, the Western Indian Ocean, Micronesia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and New Zealand. With its wealth of information from long-term studies, Island Bats provides timely and valuable information about how this fauna has evolved and how it can be conserved.

To find the real Puerto Rico a€" the one that shopping malls and condos have yet to reach a€" head for the towns and villages of the Cordillera Central, or Central Mountains. Bisected by the Ruta Panoramica (Scenic Route), the mountains provide a relaxing getaway with an atmosphere so unlike the coast that it feels like an entirely different island. The Ruta PanorAmica is a driving adventure covering more than a hundred miles of countryside, including coffee plantations, old jA-baro country and four forests: Carite, Toro Negro, Guilarte and Maricao. Along the route are valleys, canyons, wide-open terraces and views of the Atlantic and the Caribbean. Visitors who don't have time to do the whole Ruta PanorAmica might consider a driving tour starting out from San Juan to the San Cristobal canyon in Aibonito, returning via Barranquitas a€" easily doable in a day if you start out early. Or take a few days to enjoy secluded swimming holes, hiking trails, cloud forest and the hospitality of the mountain locals. This guide tells you everything about the region: where to stay & eat, what to see & do, how to get around, the history & culture, the fiestas & the cuisine. Filled with maps & photos.