Reptiles and amphibians of the Pacific Islands : a comprehensive guide / George R. Zug.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Zug, George R., 1938-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Reptiles--Islands of the Pacific--Identification.

Reptiles.

Amphibians--Islands of the Pacific--Identification.

Amphibians.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (388 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley : University of California Press, 2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The Pacific is not only the world's largest body of water; its vast expanse also includes an extraordinary number and diversity of oceanic islands, from Palau and the Marianas east of the Philippines to Cocos Island and the Galápagos west of the Americas. The isolation of these islands and the extreme distances between them long prevented scientists from studying their floras and faunas in a comparative context. But now George R. Zug, one of the world's foremost experts on the diverse reptiles and amphibians of the Pacific Basin, offers the first such systematic overview in more than half a century. Reptiles and Amphibians of the Pacific Islands is a compendium of frogs, lizards, snakes, and turtles living on these lands and in the adjacent waters of the oceanic islands in the tropical Pacific. The means to identify each species is included, along with entries that describe each animal's form, coloration, habitat, distribution, reproductive biology, and natural history. Color plates of more than 75 percent of the species also help to facilitate visual identification. This accessible and informative guide is the most comprehensive field guide available and will appeal to both novice sightseers and professional naturalists.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Island and Island Group Herpetofaunas

Recognizing Species

Acknowledgments

Checklist of Pacific Island Amphibians and Reptiles

Appendix: Sources for Illustrations

Index of Common English Names

Index of Scientific Names

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780520955400

0520955404

OCLC:

841206483