Amphibians & Reptiles of North-West Europe: Their Natural History, Ecology and Conservation

by Spellerberg,I F

• ISBN13: 9781578082599
• ISBN10: 1578082595
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-12
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

This book provides a brief description of the ecology and natural history of sixteen amphibians, eight snakes and lizards and the Chelonia species found in the temperate climatic region of Europe (North-west Europe). The book commences with an introduction to the biology of amphibians and reptiles and describes the differences between the main groups. The main ecological adaptations are discussed and there is particular mention that it is erroneous to refer to amphibians and reptiles as cold blooded. There is also the suggestion that the colour of an amphibian or reptile may not necessarily mean anything in terms of the animal's thermal properties. For each species there is a brief account of the following: the etymology or origin of the name of the species, reference to early accounts of the species, taxonomy, protection, general description, distribution and habitat, seasonal movements and behaviour, vagility and population ecology, feeding ecology, thermal ecology, reproduction, growth and development, ge

Author Biography

Ian F. Spellerberg is Professor of Nature Conservation at Lincoln University, New Zealand.

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Preface	vii
Acknowledgements	ix
Introduction
Books about amphibians and reptiles of Europe	1	(1)
Research reports and publications	2	(1)
About this book	2	(1)
The selection of species for the text	3	(1)
The species accounts	4	(3)
The Ecology of Amphibians and Reptiles
Preamble	7	(1)
Taxonomy and systematics	7	(2)
Description	9	(2)
Distribution and habitat	11	(2)
Seasonal behaviour	13	(1)
Vagility and population ecology	13	(1)
Feeding ecology	13	(1)
Thermal ecology	13	(3)
Reproduction	16	(1)
Species Accounts
Amphibians
Salamandra salamandra	17	(6)
Triturus alpestris	23	(6)
Triturus cristatus	29	(8)
Triturus helveticus	37	(6)
Triturus vulgaris	43	(8)
Bombina variegata	51	(6)
Alytes obstetricans	57	(6)
Pelobates fuscus	63	(6)
Bufo bufo	69	(6)
Bufo calamita	75	(8)
Hyla arborea	83	(6)
Rana arvalis	89	(6)
Rana dalmatina	95	(6)
Rana lessonae & Rana esculenta	101	(6)
Rana ridibunda	107	(6)
Rana temporaria	113	(6)
Reptiles
Anguis fragilis	119	(6)
Lacerta agilis	125	(6)
Lacerta viridis	131	(6)
Lacerta vivipara	137	(6)
Podarcis muralis	143	(6)
Coronella austriaca	149	(8)
Natrix natrix	157	(8)
Vipera berus	165	(8)
Chelonia
Tortoises, terrapins and turtles	173	(8)
Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles
Threats to species and habitats	181	(1)
Value	181	(1)
Conservation	182	(2)
Threats from exotic species	184	(1)
European studies in Conservation	184	(4)
Conservation of Lacerta agilis following destruction of habitat by fire	188	(1)
Restoration of herpetological sites by BP Exploration	188	(5)
Glossary	193	(4)
General reading and references cited in the introduction	197	(4)
Index	201