Article ID: CBB050467018

Ecology and Biogeography in the Introduction to “De Bestiis Marinis” by Georg Wilhelm Steller (2019)

unapi

The rediscovery of the original, unedited Latin manuscript of Georg Wilhelm Steller's “De bestiis marinis” (“On marine mammals”), first published in 1751, calls for a new translation into English. The main part of the treatise contains detailed descriptions of four marine mammals, but the introduction is devoted to more general issues, including innovative speculation on morphology, ecology and biogeography, anticipating arguments and concepts of modern biology. Steller noted early that climate and food have a direct influence on body size, pelage and functional traits of mammals, potentially affecting reversible changes (phenotypic plasticity). Feeding and other behavioural habits have an impact on the geographical distribution of mammals. Species with a broad diet tend to have a wide distribution, whereas animals with a narrow diet more likely have only a restricted range. According to Steller, both sea and land then still concealed countless animals unknown to science.

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https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB050467018/

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Authors & Contributors
Rodger, Katharine Anne
Ricketts, Edward Flanders
Ulrich Päßler
Baker, Andrew C.
Sismondo, Sergio
Peirson, B. R. Erick
Concepts
Ecology
Marine biology
Biogeography
Travel; exploration
Biology
Morphology
Time Periods
18th century
20th century
20th century, early
19th century
20th century, late
Places
Russia
Tropics
Southern states (U.S.)
Americas
Pacific Ocean
United States
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