The market leader in herpetology textbooks-incorporating the latest findings in the literature, exciting new images and a fully updated squamate taxonomy
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
15. Caecilians
16. Salamanders
17. Frogs
Part VII Classification and Diversity of Reptiles
18. Turtles
19. Crocodylians
20. Sphenodontidans
21. Squamates (Snakes and Lizards)
Part VIII Data Sources
Bibliography
Glossary
Taxonomic Index
Subject Index
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. 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.
"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
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