Elsevier S & T

Caribbean Amphibians and Reptiles

Crother, Brian I.

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Table of contents
  • Contentsv
  • Contributorsix
  • Forewordxi
  • Prefacexiii
  • Acknowledgmentsxv
  • Legends to Color Platesxxi
  • Chapter 1. Over 300 Years of Collecting in the Caribbean1
  • Introduction: Where We Are1
  • Periods in the History of Knowledge of the West Indian Herpetofauna6
  • The Seventh Period?30
  • Chapter 2. A Review of Cuban Herpetology31
  • History31
  • The Species35
  • Chapter 3. Jamaica63
  • Introduction63
  • Location-Topography-Geology67
  • Rivers69
  • Climate and Vegetation71
  • Historical Summary73
  • Problems89
  • Chapter 4. The Hispaniolan Herpetofauna: Diversity, Endemism, and Historical Perspectives, with Comm93
  • Introduction93
  • Geography and Physiography93
  • Vegetation98
  • Diversity and Endemism102
  • Historical Perspectives139
  • Fossil Record163
  • Current Status of the Herpetofauna164
  • Chapter 5. The Puerto Rico Area169
  • Introduction: The Region169
  • A Brief History of Herpetology in the Puerto Rico Area171
  • The Puerto Rican Herpetofauna within the Greater Antillean Assemblages171
  • Patterns of Distribution: The Puerto Rico Bank172
  • Distribution within Puerto Rico172
  • The Incursive and Anthropochore Herpetofauna178
  • Chapter 6. The Lesser Antillean Fauna181
  • Inroduction181
  • Diversity and Taxonomic History187
  • Biogeography219
  • Conservation220
  • Chapter 7. West Indian Herpetoecology223
  • Introduction223
  • History224
  • Some Aspects of the Ecology of the West Indian Herpetofauna231
  • Summary263
  • Future Emphasis264
  • Chapter 8. Evolutionary Relationships269
  • Introduction269
  • Anura270
  • Sauria278
  • Serpentes306
  • Testudines326
  • Crocodylia328
  • Conclusions329
  • Appendix331
  • Chapter 9. Ecological and Historical Biogeography335
  • Introduction335
  • Historical Biogeography336
  • Ecological Biogeography344
  • Coda356
  • Chapter 10. The West Indies and Middle America: Contrasting Origins and Diversity357
  • Introduction357
  • Materials and Methods358
  • Origins of the Herpetofaunas358
  • Diversity of the Herpetofaunas364
  • Discussion369
  • References371
  • Systematic Index475
  • Color Plates Section496
Book details
  • Vendor Elsevier S & T
  • SKU 9780121979553
  • ISBN-13 9780080528588
  • Author Crother, Brian I.
  • Category Science
  • Subject Evolution

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Description eBook delivery & access Reviews
Amphibians and reptiles are the most numerous, diverse, and frequently encountered animals on the Caribbean islands. This book provides a variety of perspectives on this amazing group of organisms. Caribbean Amphibians and Reptiles, compiled by an international team of zoologists, takes a fresh and detailed look at the complex biological puzzle of the Caribbean. The first true overview of the islands, it includes a historical examination of the people who have studied the Caribbean amphibians and reptiles. The book reviews the ecology, evolutionary history, and biogeographic explanations for the origins and diversity of the region's fauna with island-by-island coverage. It puts the Caribbean in perspective by comparing the islands to Central America and its amphibian reptile diversity. Additionally, the book includes figures, tables, and color plates which bring to life some of the region's most spectacular creatures.

Key Features
* Presents the first complete review of amphibians and reptiles in the Caribbean
* Includes color plates and island maps
* Contributors are recognized authorities in the field