Dear colleagues, My name is José Luis Copete and I am one of the Photographic Editors of the Handbook of the Mammals of the World series. As you probably already know, we are now working on some global processes for Volume 4: Sea Mammals. One of these processes involves choosing the color photographs included in the Family Text of each chapter. The photo selection focuses on covering as many species as possible and aims to illustrate the different morphological, biological, and behavioural aspects (food and feeding, breeding, etc.) of the species that make up each family. So far, we have received around 15,000 photographs from various photographers, agencies and collaborators. However, the uniqueness of this mammal group means that it is proving more difficult than usual to obtain good-quality images showing the specific aspects mentioned above, especially underwater images. For this reason, we would please kindly ask that you send any photographic material that could be appropriate for your chapter bearing in mind the aim of the photo selection. The photographs must be in high-resolution electronic format, at least 300 dpi (or ppi) and 20 cm wide. Besides the technical requirements mentioned, it is important that they are close-up images of the species in question and that they are in focus. Please note that if the photos have not been taken in the wild, it is always better if the artificial components are not obvious. For some of the families included we have received few images, these are Pontoporiidae (Franciscana Dolphin), Ziphiidae, Phocoenidae, Platanistidae, Lipotidae, Iniidae, Monodontidae, Eschrichtiidae, Kogiidae and Neobalaenidae, so any image showing these species would be interesting. We offer for any picture published a fee of 120US$, or a free copy of the book, or any other volume of the HMW series (or Handbook of the Birds of the World series, for those also interested in birds). We pay for the use for only one time, non-exclusively, of each picture. That means we don't own the image, which is of course still owned by the photographer, who can sell it in the future as many times as wanted. I can send an Excel file with all the species considered (English and scientific names included) for those interested to collaborate. Please don't hesitate to write me to ask for any questions you should have regarding the photographic organization of the HMW series. With very best wishes, José Luis Copete _________________________________________________________________ José Luis Copete Handbook of the Birds of the World Handbook of the Mammals of the World Lynx Edicions Montseny, 8 E-08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain. Phone: +34-93 594 77 10 Fax: +34-93 592 09 69 <blocked::BLOCKED::mailto:jlcopete@hbw.com> jlcopete@hbw.com www.lynxeds.com