Fynbos

Fynbos
Author: Nicky Allsopp
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 781
Release: 2014-09-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0191669113

South Africa's fynbos region has intrigued biologists for centuries. It has achieved iconic status as a locus of megadiversity and therefore a place to study the ecological underpinnings of massive evolutionary radiations. Researchers have made great advances over the past two decades in unravelling the complexities of fynbos ecology and evolution, and the region has contributed significant insights into the adaptive radiations of large lineages, conservation science, pollination biology, invasive plant biology, and palaeoanthropology. Lessons from the fynbos offer much of value for understanding the origin, maintenance, and conservation of diversity anywhere in the world. This book provides the first synthesis of the field for 20 years, bringing together the latest ecological and evolutionary research on the South African global biodiversity hotspots of the Greater Cape Floristic Region - the iconic fynbos and succulent karoo. It explores the historical and modern physical and biological environment of this region, the circumstances and processes which have fostered its remarkable biodiversity, and the role this diversity has played in the emergence of modern humans. It also discusses the challenges of contemporary management and conservation of the region's biodiversity in the face of accelerating global change.

Herpetological Osteopathology

Herpetological Osteopathology
Author: Bruce M. Rothschild
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 458
Release: 2012-01-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1461408245

As scientific analysis of testable hypotheses has replaced the speculative approach to study of bone disease in recent and fossil amphibians and reptiles, the field has advanced from simply reporting observations to analyzing their implications. This process is predicated upon a reproducible data base which explains/diagnoses the nature of bony alterations and a secure review of the literature. Thereby hangs the rub. The herpetological literature are difficult to access (let alone read) and are scattered through many prominent and eclectic journals and in the lay literature. While older diagnoses often have not stood the test of time, the clarity of report descriptions usually allows confident identification of the underlying pathology.

Frogs

Frogs
Author: Mike Dorcas
Publisher: JHU Press
Total Pages: 177
Release: 2011-05-02
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1421401185

Frogs are amazingly diverse—ranging from the massive goliath frog, which weighs several pounds, to the recently discovered gold frog, which measures a mere three-eighths of an inch when fully grown—and have inhabited the earth for more than 200 million years. Today, however, these amphibians face more challenges than any other vertebrate group. In this fun and informative book, herpetologists Mike Dorcas and Whit Gibbons answer common and not-so-common questions people may have about these fascinating animals. Dorcas and Gibbons discuss how frogs evolved, which species currently exist in the world, and why some have recently gone extinct. They reveal what frogs eat and what eats them, their role in cultures across the globe, why many populations are declining and what we can do to reverse this dangerous trend, why there are deformed frogs, and much more. They answer expected questions such as “What is the difference between a frog and a toad?” and “Why do some people lick toads?” and unexpected ones such as “Why do some frogs lay their eggs in the leaves of trees?” and “Do frogs feel pain?” The authors’ easy-to-understand yet thorough explanations provide insight into the amazing biology of this amphibian group. In addressing conservation questions, Dorcas and Gibbons highlight the frightening implications of the current worldwide amphibian crisis, which many scientists predict will bring extinction rates experienced by frog species to levels not seen in any vertebrate animal group in millions of years. Packed with facts and featuring two color galleries and 70 black-and-white photographs, Frogs: The Animal Answer Guide is sure to address the questions on the minds of curious naturalists.

The Biology of Chameleons

The Biology of Chameleons
Author: Krystal A. Tolley
Publisher: Univ of California Press
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2013-11-16
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0520957385

They change color depending on their mood. They possess uniquely adapted hands and feet distinct from other tetrapods. They feature independently movable eyes. This comprehensive volume delves into these fascinating details and thorough research about one of the most charismatic families of reptiles—Chameleonidae. Written for professional herpetologists, scholars, researchers, and students, this book takes readers on a voyage across time to discover everything that is known about chameleon biology: anatomy, physiology, adaptations, ecology, behavior, biogeography, phylogeny, classification, and conservation. A description of the natural history of chameleons is given, along with the fossil record and typical characteristics of each genus. The state of chameleons in the modern world is also depicted, complete with new information on the most serious threats to these remarkable reptiles.

Secrets of the Snake Charmer

Secrets of the Snake Charmer
Author: John C. Murphy
Publisher: iUniverse
Total Pages: 421
Release: 2010-04-16
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1450221270

Note that there is a companion website for this book and it can be seen at: http://secretsofthesnakecharmer.blogspot.com/ Humans and snakes have an intimate and ancient relationship that often revolves around either love or hate. Snakes can be seen as gods, spiritual messengers, symbols of fertility, and guardians of resources in virtually all cultures. But to those that fear them, snakes are seen as venomous creatures that cannot be trusted. In Secrets of the Snake Charmer, John Murphy, a research associate of the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles in the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, provides an in-depth, twenty-first century look at snakes utilizing the published research of other herpetologists as well as his own personal experiences and speculations. Murphy covers a wide range of topics such as the adaptability of snakes, the ways in which evolution has tinkered with snakes during the last 160 million years, and the impact snakes have on the ecological communities they live in. While sharing ideas about the origin of snakes, rattlesnake rattles, and spitting in cobras, Murphy presents an innovative portrayal of snakes that proves they co-evolve with their prey, predators, and parasites in order to fulfill a significant and novel role in the web of life.

Snakes of the World

Snakes of the World
Author: Van Wallach
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 1260
Release: 2014-04-22
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1482208474

Snakes of the World: A Catalogue of Living and Extinct Species—the first catalogue of its kind—covers all living and fossil snakes described between 1758 and 2012, comprising 3,509 living and 274 extinct species allocated to 539 living and 112 extinct genera. Also included are 54 genera and 302 species that are dubious or invalid, resulting in recognition of 705 genera and 4,085 species. Features: Alphabetical listings by genus and species Individual accounts for each genus and species Detailed data on type specimens and type localities All subspecies, synonyms, and proposed snake names Distribution of species by country, province, and elevation Distribution of fossils by country and geological periods Major taxonomic references for each genus and species Appendix with major references for each country Complete bibliography of all references cited in text and appendix Index of 12,500 primary snake names The data on type specimens includes museum and catalog number, length and sex, and collector and date. The listed type localities include restrictions and corrections. The bibliography provides complete citations of all references cited in the text and appendix, and taxonomic comments are given in the remarks sections. This standard reference supplies a scientific, academic, and professional treatment of snakes—appealing to conservationists and herpetologists as well as zoologists, naturalists, hobbyists, researchers, and teachers.

Amphibians of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East

Amphibians of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East
Author: Christophe Dufresnes
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2019-01-10
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1472941381

Packed with outstanding photographs, this practical, compact yet comprehensive reference is the definitive guide to all 139 amphibian species found in the Western Palearctic and adjacent regions. From familiar frogs and toads to striking salamanders and newts, the detailed text describes each species' appearance, habitat and behaviour, and includes useful information on their classifications, ecology and life cycles. Grouped by families for ease of use, every account includes an accurate distribution map and colour photographs annotated with crucial details to help swiftly identify species in the field. Written by field biologist Christophe Dufresnes, this is the ultimate photographic guide for amateurs and expert herpetologists alike.