A natural history of amphibians / Robert C. Stebbins and Nathan W. Cohen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stebbins, Robert C., author.

Cohen, Nathan W., 1919- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Amphibians.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (336 pages)

Place of Publication:

Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [1995]

Summary:

This is a book for all readers who want to learn about amphibians, the animal group that includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians. It draws on many years of classroom teaching, laboratory experience, and field observation by the authors. Robert Stebbins and Nathan Cohen lead readers on a fascinating odyssey as they explore some of nature's most interesting creatures, interspersing their own observations throughout the book. A Natural History of Amphibians can serve as a textbook for students and independent learners, as an overview of the field for professional scientists and land managers, and as an engaging introduction for general readers. The class Amphibia contains more than 4,500 known living species. New species are being discovered so rapidly that the number may grow to more than 5,000 during our lifetimes. However, their numbers are being rapidly decimated around the globe, largely due to the encroachment of humans on amphibian habitats and from growing human-caused environmental pollution, discussed at length in the final chapter. The authors focus our attention on the "natural history" of amphibians worldwide and emphasize their interactions with their environments over time: where they live; how they reproduce; how they have been affected by evolutionary processes; what factors will determine their destinies over time. Through the experienced eyes of the authors, who are skilled observers, we come to see and understand the place of amphibians in the natural world around us.

Contents:

Cover Page

Half-title Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. Introduction

The Major Groups of Living Amphibians

The Place of Amphibians in Nature

Amphibian Life Cycles and Modes of Reproduction

Natural History Overview

2. Skin

Glands

Coloration

Shedding

3. Breathing

Gills

Lungs

Skin

Buccopharyngeal Respiration

The Lung-breathing Mechanism

4. Limbs and Locomotion

5. Tail

6. Nose and Chemoreception

Function of the Nasolabial Grooves

Larval Amphibians

Control of Nasal Water and Air Flow

7. Eyes and Vision

Vision in Water and on Land

Some Additional Anatomical Aspects

Distance Perception and Visual Acuity

Use of Vision in Feeding

Color Vision

Eye Protection

Use of Amphibians in Studies of Vision

8. Food Habits

Kinds of Food and Their Detection

Visual Prey Detection

Role of Olfaction

Food Preferences

The Feeding Mechanism

Methods of Catching Prey

Competition for Food and Partitioning of Food Resources

Metabolic Reserves

9. Ears and Hearing

Anurans

The Opercularis System

Salamanders

Caecilians

Amphibian Larvae

Lateral Line System

Reception of Seismic Signals

10. Voice

Method of Sound Production

Voice Intensity, Volume, and Directionality

The "Advertisement" Call

Chorus Formation and Pairing

Vocalizations at Short Range

Vocal Responses to Approaching Males

Vocalizations and Predation

Other Vocalizations

11. Temperature Characteristics

Basking

Temperature Preferences

Tolerance of Temperature Extremes

Thermal Acclimation

Thermal Acclimatization

Behaviorally Controlled Fever

Coping with Freezing Temperatures

Biological Effects of Environmental Temperatures.

The Pineal Complex and Activity Rhythms

Temperature and Timing of Reproduction

12. Body Water Regulation

Hydroregulation

Skin Structure and Water Loss in Lungless Salamanders

Avoiding Desiccation

The "Seat Patch

Burrowing

Dormant (Estivating) Amphibians: Cocoons

Urea Retention

Skin Color

Uricotelic Frogs

13. Protection against Predators

Protective Glands and Their Use in Defense

Warning Coloration

Mimicry

Posturing and Delivery of Noxious Secretions

Other Antipredator Adaptations

Variation in Antipredator Responses

Noxious Properties of Amphibian Eggs and Larvae

14. Home Range and Movements

Some Measurements of Movements and Home Range in Salamanders and Anurans

15. Territorial Behavior and Fighting

Dear Enemy Recognition

16. Homing and Migration

Shoreline Orientation

Homing Behavior during Migrations

Role of Olfaction in Homing

How Does Homing Ability Become Established?

17. Reproduction

Breeding Patterns and Their Control

Reproductive Activities

Eggs

Gelatinous Capsules

The Ovum

Location and Shape of Egg Clusters (the "Spawn")

Frequency of Laying and Number of Eggs Laid

Larvae

Salamanders and Anurans

Salamander Larvae

Anuran Larvae (Tadpoles)

18. Parental Care

Guarding of Eggs and Nest Sites

Foam Nests

Tadpole Herding

Transport of Eggs and Larvae

Frogs That Feed Their Young

Pouch Brooding

Vocal Sac Brooding

Stomach Brooding

Viviparous Amphibians

19. Contributions of Amphibians to Human Welfare

Food

Teaching and Research

Toxicology

Medicine

Fever Therapy

A Pharmacopeia of Skin Secretions

The Australian Stomach-brooding Frogs and Gastric Ulcers

20. Declining Amphibians.

Examples of Declines with Comments on Possible Causes: Selections from Western North, Central, and South America, and Australia

Western North America

Central and South America

Australia

Amphibians as "Bio-indicators

Known and Possible Causes of Amphibian Declines

A Diversity of Local Impacts

Global Impacts

The Role of Biomagnification

The Endocrine Connection

Amphibians as Subjects for Study of the Effects of Chemical Contaminants at the Hormonal and Developmental Levels

Some Topics Needing Study in Relation to the Possible Role of Synthetic Chemicals in Amphibian Declines

Possible Impacts of Amphibian Declines

What of the Future?

Literature Cited

Index.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-691-10251-1

0-691-23461-2

OCLC:

1261363854