Reference Books: Print & Online
Finding Information from a Reference
Reference materials are compilations; a "reference" connects a researcher to background information in a way that is intended to be found quickly when needed. Reference materials can be dictionaries, encyclopedias, bibliographies, handbooks and guides, catalogs, atlases and maps, directories, almanacs – even the internet.
Using OU Libraries' Catalog
Although the library guide you currently read is considered a reference material, the following lists are not comprehensive. Check the OU Libraries Discover catalog to connect to even more resources. Think about the keywords you would use to search the catalog; for general books containing definitions of terms or overviews of a subject, search for your keywords plus "encyclopedia" or "dictionary." Want reference assistance? Reach out to the STEM Services team at libstem@ou.edu.
Looking for a reference on citation style? Visit the Citations page of the guide.
Finding Books in the Library by Call Number
Books are located in Bizzell Memorial Library in the following call number locations.
Library of Congress Call Numbers for Biology:
| Call Number Range | Topic |
|---|---|
| QH 1-278 | Natural History |
| QH 301-705 | Biology General |
| QH 426-470 | Genetics |
| QH 471-489 | Reproduction |
| QH 540-549 | Ecology |
| QH 573-671 | Cell Biology |
| QL 1-355 | Zoology General |
| QL 360-599 | Invertebrates / Insects |
| QL 614-639 | Fishes |
| QL 640-669 | Birds |
| QL 671-739 | Mammals |
| QL 750-795 | Animal Behavior |
| QP | Physiology |
| QR | Microbiology |
| S | Agriculture |
| SF | Animal Culture |
| SH | Aquaculture |
| SK | Hunting/Wildlife |
What's new about the catalog? See if the library has a copy of your class's textbook!
Textbooks on Reserve and course reserve materials are now searchable by course code (ex. HIST 3403), course name (ex. Modern Israel), title (ex. Quiet Street), or author. Some materials are searchable by professor last name (ex. Seidelman). Students can search the catalog or the new Textbook Search Scope (located under the Search Scope drop-down menu).
Biology and Biodiversity
- Encyclopedia of LifeSubmit trait data for specific organisms
- Encyclopedia of Life SciencesPublication Date: Annual UpdateOnline encyclopedia of the biological sciences. Full text available.
- Animal Behavior Desk Reference byISBN: 9786611396367Publication Date: 2010"Definitions for terms in animal behavior, biogeography, evolution, ecology, genetics, psychology, statistics, systematics, and other related sciences. Formatted like a standard dictionary, this reference presents definitions in a quick- and easy-to-use style." You should not use this as a primary source, but use the citations contained within to follow-up on topics of interest.
- Biology Simulations"Fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations."
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Cambridge Encyclopedia of Darwin and Evolutionary Thought by Call Number: QH 360.2 .C36ISBN: 9780521195317Publication Date: 2013-02-28An encyclopedia covering the history of evolutionary biology.
Evolution by Call Number: QH 366.2 .F87 2017 TEXTBOOKSISBN: 9781605356051Publication Date: 2017"Suited for an undergraduate audience, the text emphasizes the interplay between theory and empirical tests of hypotheses, helping to familiarize students with the process of science."
Evolution by Call Number: QH 366.2 .Z526 2013 TEXTBOOKSISBN: 9781936221172Publication Date: 2012"Science writer Carl Zimmer and evolutionary biologist Douglas Emlen have teamed up to write a textbook intended for biology majors that will inspire students while delivering a solid foundation in evolutionary biology. "
The Princeton Guide to Evolution by Call Number: QH 367 .P85 2014ISBN: 9780691149776Publication Date: 2013"Edited by a distinguished team of evolutionary biologists, with contributions from leading researchers, the guide contains some 100 clear, accurate, and up-to-date articles on the most important topics in seven major areas: phylogenetics and the history of life; selection and adaptation; evolutionary processes; genes, genomes, and phenotypes; speciation and macroevolution; evolution of behavior, society, and humans; and evolution and modern society. [...] this is an essential volume for undergraduate and graduate students, scientists in related fields, and anyone else with a serious interest in evolution."
Ecology by Call Number: QH 541 .B415 2006ISBN: 1405111178Publication Date: 2006"Easy to use, lucid and up-to-date, and is the essential reference for all students whose degree program includes ecology and for practicing ecologists."
Ecology by Call Number: QH 541 .R53 1990ISBN: 0716720779Publication Date: 1990A classic textbook covering ecological concepts.
Foundations of Ecology by Call Number: QH 541.145 .F68 1991ISBN: 0226705935Publication Date: 1991"Forty classic papers that have laid the foundations of modern ecology. [...] Six original essays by contemporary ecologists and a historian of ecology place the selections in context and discuss their continued relevance to current research." Great for upper-level undergraduates or graduate students.
Arguing for Evolution: An Encyclopedia for Understanding SciencePublication Date: 2011
Encyclopedia of Ecology by Publication Date: 2008Entries by field experts covering a wide range of ecological topics.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge by Call Number: GN 476.7 .T73 2018ISBN: 9781108428569Publication Date: 2018-10-11This book examines the importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and how it can provide models for a time-tested form of sustainability needed in the world today.
Biomedical Science, Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Animal Physiology & Behavior
Atlas of Human Anatomy by Call Number: QM 25 .N46 2006ISBN: 1416036997Publication Date: 2006"In over 540 beautifully colored and easily understood illustrations, it teaches the complete human body with unsurpassed clarity and accuracy. [...] includes more imaging and clinical images than ever before. "
- Mind the Gap: A handbook of clinical signs in Black and Brown skin"The aim of this booklet is to educate students and essential allied health care professionals on the importance of recognising that certain clinical signs do not present the same on darker skin. This is something which is not commonly practiced in medical textbooks as there is a ‘white skin bias’. It is important that we as future healthcare professionals are aware of these differences so that we don’t compromise our care for certain groups."
- Nature Encyclopedia of the Human GenomeCall Number: Reference QH 447 .E53 2003Publication Date: 2003
Neuroscience 4th ed by Call Number: QP 355.2 .N487 2008 TEXTBOOKSISBN: 9780878936977Publication Date: 2007On Reserves. "Created primarily for medical and premedical students, 'Neuroscience' emphasizes the structure of the nervous system, the correlation of structure and function, and the structure/function relationships particularly pertinent to the practice of medicine."
Evolution of Nervous SystemsPublication Date: 2007
Animal Behavior by Call Number: QL 751 .A58 2009 TEXTBOOKSISBN: 9780878932252Publication Date: 2009"This title offers a treatment of the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary bases of behaviour with a focus on the importance of evolutionary theory for the unification of the different behavioural disciplines."
Principles of Animal Communication by Call Number: QL 776 .B73 1998ISBN: 0878931007Publication Date: 1998"Aimed at upper-level undergraduate and first year graduate students, this book covers all aspects of the subject from neurobiology and evolution to physics and economics. Starting with the physics and physiology of signal production, propagation and reception, the book proceeds to the economics of cooperating communicators and ends with a discussion of the complications arising when the interests of sender and receiver do not coincide."
Animal Physiology by Call Number: QP 31.2 .S48 2005 TEXTBOOKSISBN: 0534554040Publication Date: 2004Two copies on Reserves.
Taxonomy
- Animal Diversity WebAnimal Diversity Web (ADW) is an online database, encyclopedia, and learning tool covering animal natural history, distribution, classification, and conservation biology at the University of Michigan. Species accounts "about individual animal species [...] Students write the text of these accounts and we cannot guarantee their accuracy. [...] Descriptions of taxa above the species level, especially phyla, classes, orders and families. Hundreds of hyperlinked pages and images illustrate the traits and general biology of these groups. Professional biologists prepare these pieces, for the most part."
- Birds of the World (formerly Birds of North America)Life histories (comprehensive summaries) with reference to cited literature for breeding bird species of North America and now birds of the world.
Introduction to the Study of Insects by Call Number: QL 463 .B692 2004ISBN: 0030968356Publication Date: 2004"Combining current insect identification, insect biology, and insect evolution, this biology text provides you with a comprehensive introduction to the study of insects." Contains dichotomous keys.
Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates by ISBN: 0123748550Publication Date: 2009"In-depth coverage of the biology, ecology, phylogeny, and identification of freshwater invertebrates from the USA and Canada."
How to Search for Information on Insects
For insects in general, there are so many different species (even in a given family, there may be hundreds of thousands to millions!) that searching for larger groups, like the genus, family, or order, can help. So, I would start using just the family name, which will end with the suffix -idae. (Info on how these different names are ordered is here.) When searching for the family in the catalog doesn’t bring up much, go to the order. Often if something is about the family or order and they don’t say it’s specific to whatever species, it may be relevant to your species.
Words to look for about the insect's habits will include "life history", "natural history", "behavior/behaviour", "habitat", "ecosystem", "ecology", and "evolution". Words to look for in the titles or subjects that may get you more drawings are “morphology”, “taxonomy”, “keys”, and "identification" for external anatomy. (Keys are a formal way of identifying animals and plants that involves choices, so these choices often require illustrations.) Borror and Delong’s Introduction to the Study of Insects has many technical drawings of various insect families and will have citations that may refer you to more detailed works on your insect's order. Scholarly articles on insects in the same order, family, or genus may include drawings of the anatomy, especially if the article is about taxonomy, morphology, or identification.
For the insect's internal organs, check out a textbook like “The Insects: an outline of entomology” which we have on reserve. You can also search with the subject heading insects for more textbooks. Since you are looking for more drawings, many of the older textbooks may have good illustrations as well. Internal organ diagrams will usually be for insects in general; only very well-studied organisms like grasshoppers or honeybees MIGHT have a drawing specific to that family or order.
Using Multiple Names in One Search
You may want to search for multiple names at once (family, a species or variety name, or order). "Smooth Operator" – a library tutorial video – will describe how to use the "OR" operator to chain together multiple names in a search. The "Reference Basics" tab contains a link to the OU Libraries catalog, and you can find library databases under "Searching for Sources" in the left-hand menu.
Common Names
The Entomological Society of America has created the Common Names of Insects Database: "The ESA Common Names database is an essential reference for anyone who works with insects. It includes more than 2,000 common names and is searchable by common name, scientific name, author, order, family, genus, and species."