Product Description

Secretive, nocturnal, and little known, salamanders are often the most abundant vertebrates on the forest floor. This comprehensive volume, the first survey published since 1943, describes the ecology, evolution, biodiversity, behavior, and natural history of 127 recognized species of salamanders found in the United States and Canada, from newts and sirens to waterdogs and hellbenders. Drawing on more than 2,100 research publications, the book includes detailed life history accounts, nearly 500 color and black-and-white photographs, identification keys for larvae as well as adults, and up-to-date distribution maps.

James W. Petranka presents a wealth of information on each species: identification, systematics, courtship and breeding, diet and predation, and the ecology of larval and adult stages are all described. He summarizes major patterns of geographic variation within species to emphasize differences between local and regional populations and to provide a realistic view of intraspecific life history diversity.

With its comprehensive coverage and extensive references, this volume is an indispensable guide not only for herpetologists but also for teachers, naturalists, conservation biologists, environmental planners, and anyone who needs detailed information on the diverse salamander fauna of the United States and Canada.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #717099 in Books
• Published on: 1998-07-17
• Released on: 1998-07-17
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 10.19" h x 1.52" w x 7.24" l, 3.21 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 592 pages

From Library Journal
The last major reference on North American salamanders was Sherman C. Bishop's A Handbook of Salamanders, published in 1943 and reissued by Cornell University Press as a natural history classic in 1994. Now comes this totally new reference from Petranka (biology, Univ. of North Carolina, Asheville), who has published numerous articles on salamanders and is on the editorial board of two herpetology journals. His preface indicates that over 30 new species have been described since Bishop's classic was first published. Petranka's comprehensive work covers the identification and natural history of 127 recognized species and includes references to the recent literature; over 2000 publications are cited. Hundreds of black-and-white photographs accompany the text, and a center section of 172 color plates will further aid in identification. A distribution map is shown for each species. Essential for herpetology collections.?William H. Wiese, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Salamanders are one of the least familiar groups of animals, because they are both secretive and nocturnal--two strikes against being noticed by the general population. This survey of North American salamanders is the first since the 1940s and presents the most up-to-date research on every species. Beginning with two keys to help the reader identify an animal in the hand, whether it is an adult or a larva ("tadpole"), the book then discusses each species individually. The species accounts are illustrated with photos of both adults and larvae and cover such subjects as distribution (with excellent range maps), habitat, breeding and courtship, ecology, and conservation status. The latter is important as these animals are very sensitive to environmental disturbances and many forms are declining. A section of colorplates is provided for each species. The large glossary of often-specialized terms used when discussing salamanders, plus a genuinely massive list of literature cited, complete an excellent book that is recommended for all libraries. Nancy Bent

About the Author
James W. Petranka is an associate professor of biology at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and is on the editorial boards of Copeia and the Journal of Herpetology.