Herpetology
4th Edition
An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles
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Description
The fourth edition of the textbook Herpetology covers the basic biology of amphibians and reptiles, with updates in nearly every conceptual area. Not only does it serve as a solid foundation for modern herpetology courses, but it is also relevant to courses in ecology, behavior, evolution, systematics, and morphology.
Examples taken from amphibians and reptiles throughout the world make this book a useful herpetology textbook in several countries. Naturalists, amateur herpetologists, herpetoculturists, zoo professionals, and many others will find this book readable and full of relevant natural history and distributional information.
Amphibians and reptiles have assumed a central role in research because of the diversity of ecological, physiological, morphological, behavioral, and evolutionary patterns they exhibit. This fully revised edition brings the latest research to the reader, ranging over topics in evolution, reproduction, behavior and more, allowing students and professionals to keep current with a quickly moving field.
Key Features
- Heavily revised and updated with discussion of squamate (lizard and snake) taxonomy and new content reflected in current literature
- Includes increased focus on conservation biology in herpetology while retaining solid content on organismal biology of reptiles and amphibians
- Presents new photos included from authors' extensive library
Readership
Advanced undergraduate/graduate students studying biology, wildlife and organismal biology and taking courses in herpetology; amphibian and reptile biologists, ecologists and conservation and evolutionary biologists, paleontologists
Table of Contents
Herpetology, 4e
Part I
Evolutionary History
1. Tetrapod Relationships and Evolutionary Systematics
2. Anatomy of Amphibians and Reptiles
3. Evolution of Ancient and Modern Amphibians and Reptiles
Part II
Reproduction and Reproductive Modes
4. Reproduction and Life Histories
5. Reproductive Modes
Part III
Physiological Ecology
6. Water Balance and Gas Exchange
7. Thermoregulation, Performance, and Energetics
Part IV
Behavioral Ecology
8. Spacing, Movements, and Orientation
9. Communication and Social Behavior
10. Foraging Ecology and Diets
11. Defense and Escape
Part V
Ecology, Biogeography, and Conservation Biology
12. Ecology
13. Biogeography and Phylogeography
14. Conservation Biology
Part VI
Classification and Diversity of Amphibians
Introduction
15. Caecilians
16. Salamanders
17. Frogs
Part VII
Classification and Diversity of Reptiles
Introduction
18. Turtles
19. Crocodylians
20. Sphenodontidans
21. Squamates (Snakes and Lizards)
Part VIII
Data Sources
Bibliography
Glossary
Taxonomic Index
Subject Index
Details
- No. of pages:
- 776
- Language:
- English
- Copyright:
- © Academic Press 2013
- Published:
- 5th June 2013
- Imprint:
- Academic Press
- Hardcover ISBN:
- 9780123869197
- eBook ISBN:
- 9780123869203
About the Author
Laurie Vitt
Dr. Vitt is a reptile ecologist who received his Ph.D. from Arizona Sate University in 1976. He was a Professor at UCLA for 8 years and Professor and Curator at the Sam Noble Museum at the University of Oklahoma for 21 years. He currently maintains Emeritus status. He has had extensive field experience in American deserts and New World tropics, especially Brazil. He has published more than 250 research articles and 8 books. Awards include appointment as a George Lynn Cross Research Professor at the University of Oklahoma, membership in the Brazilian Academy of Scientists, Distinguished Alumnus (Western Washington University), Distinguished Herpetologist (Herpetologist League), and two book awards.
Affiliations and Expertise
Sam Noble Museum and Biology Department University of Oklahoma Norman, Oklahoma
Janalee Caldwell
Dr. Caldwell is an amphibian biologist who received her Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in 1974. She was a Professor of Biology and Curator at the Sam Noble Museum at the University of Oklahoma for 21 years, where she received recognition for outstanding research. She is now Professor Emeritus and Curator Emeritus. Dr. Caldwell conducted field research in tropical forests in Brazil and other South American countries that resulted in publication of numerous scientific articles. She served as President of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and as editor of several scientific journals. She participated is various projects with the goal of encouraging young people, especially girls, to choose careers in science.
Affiliations and Expertise
Sam Noble Museum and Biology Department University of Oklahoma Norman, Oklahoma
Reviews
"In this fourth edition of their herpetology textbook, Vitt and Caldwell have broken the subject down into six main parts comprised of 22 chapters. The first three parts cover evolutionary history, reproductive schemes, and physiology… Part four covers behavioral topics such as foraging, defense strategies, and communication, while part five is devoted to ecology, conservation and geographical distribution of species. Part six breaks down the classification system used for amphibians and reptiles covering all major subgroups such as frogs, salamanders, snakes, etc…"--Reference & Research Book News, December 2013
"Many of the new insights into the understanding of reptile and amphibian biology have been updated in this edition resulting in its increased size and making it a great value… This book will be an excellent addition to the library of anyone interested in herpetology."--Journal of American Veterinary Medicine Association, December 15, 2013
"Is this the best herpetology textbook available? Yes. Will I use it in my one semester course for upper-level undergraduates? Yes, this book will challenge them and would certainly also be suitable for a graduate course. Is it worth having students buy the new (4th) edition over the 3rd? Yes, updates to the content and to the references cited and enhancement of illustrations are worth it."--Phyllomedusa, December 2013