Herpetology Evolution, Natural History, and Conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians

About this book

Herpetology: Evolution, Natural History, and Conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians offers an extensive overview of the discipline of herpetology and incorporates the most updated information on global reptile and amphibian species. Recognizing that the fields of conservation and genomics have grown exponentially since the leading texts on this topic were last published, this book seeks to provide readers with a contemporary and comprehensive coverage of the topic.

This text examines herpetological topics, phenomena, and issues of special importance through the lens of leading subject-matter experts representing diverse voices in the field. Initial chapters introduce readers to the discipline and review evolutionary history, classification, diversity, and distributions of reptiles and amphibians. Subsequent chapters delve into the core concepts of anatomy, development, reproductive and behavioural biology, ecophysiology, and ecology. The book concludes with a discussion of key conservation concerns, including direct and indirect threats to amphibians and reptiles, relevant policy and legislation, and the future of the field.

Herpetology: Evolution, Natural History, and Conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians modernizes our understanding of reptiles by embracing birds as a crucial part of reptilian evolutionary history. This book serves as an important resource for researchers, academics, practitioners, and advanced hobbyists alike who seek a sweeping source of information about amphibians and reptiles.

Contents

Introduction

Section I: Evolutionary History
1. Introduction to phylogenetic trees and nomenclature
2. Biogeography
3. Special topics

Section II: Classification, Diversity, and Distributions
4. Taxonomy
5. Species and variation
6. Diversity, characteristics, and distribution of amphibians
7. Diversity, characteristics, and distribution of reptiles
8. Special topics

Section III: Anatomy and Development
9. Anatomy of amphibians
10. Anatomy of reptiles
11. Development of amphibians
12. Development of reptiles
13. Functional morphology and biomechanics
14. Special topics

Section IV: Reproductive Biology
15. Reproduction in amphibians
16. Reproduction in reptiles
17. Parthenogenesis
18. Special topics

Section V: Behavioral Biology
19. Behavior of amphibians
20. Behavior of reptiles
21. Special topics

Section VI: Ecophysiology
22. Endothermy and ectothermy
23. Physiology of amphibians
24. Physiology of reptiles
25. Venoms and toxins
26. Special topics

Section VII: Ecology
27. Ecology of amphibians
28. Ecology of reptiles
29. Special topics

Section VIII: Conservation
30. Direct and indirect threats to amphibians and reptiles
31. Policy and legislation
32. Future prospects for amphibians and reptiles
33. Special topics

Definitions and Key Terms
Appendix

Customer Reviews

Biography

Dr Joseph Mendelson is Director of Research at Zoo Atlanta and Adjunct Professor of Biology at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He received his MA in Biology from the University of Texas at Arlington and his PhD in Systematics and Ecology from the University of Kansas. He has studied amphibians for more than 30 years, concentrating mostly on Mexico and Central America. His work focuses on systematics and taxonomy – including the discovery and naming of approximately 40 new species. Dr Mendelson's broader research includes phylogenetic studies, biogeography, amphibian chytrid fungi, conservation, biomechanics of snake locomotion, and natural history. He co-founded the IUCN Amphibian Ark program and is past president of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Dr Mendelson has published extensively in journals such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal of Experimental Biology, Science, Molecular Ecology, and Journal of Herpetology.