Amphibians and reptiles: an introduction to their natural history and conservation / Marty Crump

Incluye bibliografía: páginas 239-240 e índice: páginas 241-249

Glosario: páginas 235-238

Authorís Note.. Acknowledgments.. 1 Too Weird to Be True?.. 2 What Are Amphibians and Reptiles?.. 3 Meet the Amphibians.. 4 Meet the Reptiles I.. 5 Meet the Reptiles II.. 6 Amphibians and Reptiles Play Key Roles in Ecosystems.. 7 Disappearing Acts.. 8 Why Should We Care?.. 9 Weíre Taking Too Many.. 10 We Kill Them Indirectly, Too.. 11 Who Turned Up the Heat?.. 12 Attack of the Killer Fungus!.. 13 Good or Bad? Love or Hate?.. 14 We Can Live Together, Canít We?.. 15 Research and Education.. 16 What Else Can Be Done?.. 17 What Can YOU Do to Help?.. Appendix I: Additional Resources.. Appendix II: Conservation Organizations.. Appendix III: Amphibian and Reptile Place Names.. Appendix IV: Credits for Figures and Color Plates.. Glossary.. Main Sources Consulted.. Index

This is a revision and update of a book originally published in 2002 by Linnet Press. Much has happened in amphibian and reptile conservation since then. Some major changes and additions in this revision include: A new chapter focusing on the key roles that amphibians and reptiles play in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. A new chapter addressing the parasitic fungus, Bd, that is attacking and killing amphibians on every continent where amphibians occur. The addition of new or expanded information, using amphibians and reptiles as examples, that ties in with key science concepts taught in grades 5-8. For example: A Structure and function. Gills, lungs, skin, mucous glands, Jacobsonís organ, vertebrae, scutes, shell, tail, feet. Reproduction and heredity. Oviparity versus viviparity. Metamorphosis, direct development. Organisms change throughout lifetimes. Species change ó evolve ó over longer periods of time. Changes related to climate change Regulation and behavior. Ectothermy versus en- dothermy. Migration. Parental care. Foodgetting behavior. Herbivory, omnivory, carnivory. Reproductive behavior. Mate attraction and courtship. Populations and ecosystems. Causes of population declines. Effects of global warming. Food chains and food webs. Interactions of organisms within ecosystems. Change in one species affects many. Effects of non-native species. Role in ecosystem changes with life cycle. Effect of environmental pollution. Threatened and endangered species. Human-caused current extinction. A Diversity and adaptations of organisms. Diversity of amphibians and reptiles. Classification. Geographic distribution. Life cycles. Adaptations to terrestrial, arboreal, fossorial, aquatic living. Survival in environment (protective coloration and other anti-predator defenses). eng