Caribbean Amphibians and Reptiles [Hardcover]

Brian I. Crother (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0121979555 | ISBN-13: 978-0121979553 | Edition: 1

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This volume is dedicated to Dr. Albert Schwartz (1923-1992)in recognition of his incredible scientific accomplishments in Caribbean herpetology. ...I believe that this interesting book is an appropriate tribute to the amazing career of Albert Schwartz and will serve as a benchmark for years to come..."
--Richard Franz, University of Florida, for COPEIA (2000)
"The most complete review of the literature on the ecology and evolutionary history of amphibians and reptiles of the Caribbean, to date. ...An excellent reference book for herpetologists, ecologists, and conservation biologists interested in the region."
--NORTHEASTERN NATURALIST (2000)
"An excellent, well-written source book..."
--CHOICE (December 1999)
"...a valuable tool for herpetologists interested in the Caribbean."
--BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY

From the Back Cover

The most numerous, diverse, and frequently encountered animals on Caribbean islands are amphibians and reptiles.Caribbean Amphibians and Reptilestakes a detailed look at this amazing assemblage of organisms. With its island-by-island coverage of the herpetofauna, this volume is the first overview of the fascinating region and also includes an historical examination of the people who have studied Caribbean amphibians and reptiles. In addition, the ecology, evolutionary history, and biogeographica exlanations of the origins and diversity of the fauna are reviewed. Finally, these Caribbean animals are compared to the amphibian and reptile diversity of Central America. Throughout the volume are figures, tables, and a section of color plates that bring to life some of the region's spectacular creatures.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 493 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (June 9, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0121979555
• ISBN-13: 978-0121979553
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,542,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Amphibians

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bahamas are not part of the Caribbean, February 15, 2001

By 

V. I. Per "Namorc" (Hammond, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Caribbean Amphibians and Reptiles (Hardcover)

I am not a customer but the editor of the book. I just noticed the review that complains the volume left out a key part of the Caribbean, the Bahamas. Interestingly enough, the Bahamas are in the Atlantic Ocean and not in nor border the Caribbean Sea.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Excludes a large part of the Caribbean, the Bahama Islands, June 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Caribbean Amphibians and Reptiles (Hardcover)

A book on this subject is a welcome addition to the library of any herpetologist. However, this book has a number of shortcomings including its exclusion of the entire Bahama archipelago. A book with this title should include these islands with their endangered species. The book includes 8 color plates each with up to 11 color photos of native species. Unfortunately, a number of the captions do not match the photos on the plates making them useless to the uninitiated.

This book will be useful, however the typos and missing geographic coverage along with the unusually high price for such a small book are definite drawback.

This is a college-level, acedemic textbook and not a field guide which may account for its price.