Compiling a guide of this nature has required an unusually wide range of expertise and the editors, authors and artists have drawn on many different people and sources for assistance. We are extremely grateful to the following for their invaluable contributions:
Louise Grantham, Reneé Ferreira, Marina Pearson, Kate Rogan and Kim Sharp provided essential publishing, editorial and proofreading expertise. Jane Carruthers suggested excellent editorial improvements as well as giving continuous encouragement throughout the book’s development.
Valuable advice on moths was received from Neville Duke. Rosemary Peter assisted the artist with the illustrations of ticks.
Astri Leroy thanks Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman and Annette van den Berg of the Plant Protection Research Institute of the Agricultural Research Council who helped with the identification of spiders, as well as all those who assisted on field trips, especially her husband, John Leroy.
Bill Branch would like to thank Dove.
Frances Perryer meticulously edited the chapter on freshwater fishes.
The writing and illustrating of the botanical chapters were greatly assisted by Guy Berry, Neil Crouch, Tansa Clare, Di Dold, Judy and Humphrey Hollis, Geoff Nichols, Nic Stamatis, Rosemary Williams, the Natal Herbarium, and the Wildlife and Environment Society (Natal Branch). The author of these chapters is especially indebted to her family, Tony, Simon, Justin and Thomas Pooley.
First edition, 1997
It is a tribute to the complexity of nature that scientists constantly need to revise the naming and classification of wildlife. More than 500 of the names in this field guide have been amended since its first publication a decade ago. Keeping abreast of the changes called for the expertise and support of Bill Branch (reptiles), Kaera Coetzer (birds and botany), Louis du Preez (frogs), Astri Leroy (spiders), Mike Picker (insects and other invertebrates) and Paul Skelton (fish), whose assistance is gratefully acknowledged.
I would also like to thank Pippa Parker, Robin Cox and Gill Gordon whose publishing, design and editing skills contributed so much to the improvements in this new edition.
Vincent Carruthers
September 2007