Evolving Eden: an illustrated guide to the evolution of the African large-mammal fauna

Text by Alan Turner and illustrations by Mauricio Anton, 2004

Columbia University Press, New York. Hardcover, 269 pages, 185x260mm.
ISBN: 0-231-11944-5, approx. $40.00 (available from http://www.nhbs.com/, http://www.amazon.com/ and http://www.alibris.com/)

Thanks largely to its comparatively undeveloped state, Africa supports a greater diversity and abundance of larger mammals than any other continent on Earth. What few people realise or appreciate, however, is that the current assemblage of large herbivores and carnivores - the Giraffe, Hippo, Spotted Hyena, Lion, Zebra, Warthog, Aardvark and others - are all the result of a long evolutionary history. To the delight of palaeontologists, the ancestors of these 'modern' species, along with other extinct forms, have left their bones buried in the soil.

Consider this: about three-and-a-half million years ago (in the Plio-Pleistocene era), at least five of the extant (still surviving) large carnivore species had evolved into their current state. But Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena and Striped Hyena shared the African savannas at this time with several other large carnivores including sabre-toothed cats and giant hyenas. Climate change and other evolutionary forces caused the extinction of these undoubtedly impressive mammals around about 1.5 million years ago.

This revealing book unravels the complex 35 million year history of the African mammal fauna against the backdrop of the enormous topographical and climate changes which resulted in fluctuating vegetational zones. The expansion and contraction of forests, deserts, savannas and grasslands sparked the ongoing process of evolution as populations of one species became isolated from one another, or previously separated species were put into contact.

Naturally, primates are treated in detail for much of the fossil collecting and analysis has been focussed on this group. So, we have here a meticulous discussion of mankind's ancestors, wrapped up in the lives and times of other ancient mammals.

Researched and written by respected palaeontologist Alan Turner, and beautifully illustrated in pencil and watercolour by Mauricio Anton, this excellent book will appeal to anyone with an interest in the remarkable fauna of Africa and the evolution of our own species.

- Duncan Butchart -

Posted: Mammals by CC Africa, Date: 22 November 2006