A new book co-authored by two professors in Auburn's biological science department will have people looking at Alabama's wildlife from a new perspective.
Troy Best and the late Julian Dusi used more than 70 years of personal research and the findings of more than 100 scientists and graduate students to put together "Mammals of Alabama."
"Mammals of Alabama" is a guidebook to the many different living and extinct species in Alabama.
"The book contains the information that Dr. Dusi and I have gathered over our careers," Best said.
Best's research was not limited to Alabama, however.
"We also took information from research that was conducted in different parts of the country," Best said.
Best said one of the reasons he wanted to publish the book was to inform the people of Alabama of their environment.
"It really documents part of their natural heritage," Best said. "We are one of the most diverse states in some vertebrate groups."
According to Best, this book is long overdue.
"It has been almost 100 years since a book has been done on mammals in Alabama," Best said.
Best said including interesting points and stats about different mammals was one of his goals.
"I put it together to include interesting things, like the fact armadillos have four babies," Best said.
According to Best, the book is filled with all the animal species that have been recorded in the state.
Best said he also included some new ones.
"There are a couple of records that have never been reported, such as the North American deer mouse," Best said.
John Lacoste, graduate student in biological science, is doing his thesis on the deer mouse.
"Last year, we had the first record of one species of the deer mouse in the state," Lacoste said.
Best also included animals that do not exist anymore.
"We included some species that no longer occur in the state, like the red wolf and elk," Best said.
Jackson Moses, graduate student in biological sciences, said Best brings experience and expertise to his research.
"I don't know what I would do without him," Moses said. "He is amazing at reading a draft of a research paper and turning it around in a hour or two."
Best was also awarded the 2014 Joseph Grinnell Award by the American Society of Mammalogists in recognition of his research.
"I published this book because I am interested in mammals and I want to share that interest and enthusiasm with other people," Best said.
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