A Natural History of Amphibians

by Robert C. Stebbins, Nathan W. Cohen

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691234618
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	08/10/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Robert C. Stebbins is Emeritus Professor of Zoology and Emeritus Curator in Herpetology, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of numerous books, including A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Nathan W. Cohen is Emeritus Director of Curriculum Development in Science, University of California Extension, Berkeley.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

1 Introduction

2 Skin

3 Breathing

4 Limbs and Locomotion

5 Tail

6 Nose and Chemoreception

7 Eyes and Vision

8 Food Habits

9 Ears and Hearing

10 Voice

11 Temperature Characteristics

12 Body Water Regulation

13 Protection against Predators

14 Home Range and Movements

15 Territorial Behavior and Fighting

16 Homing and Migration

17 Reproduction

18 Parental Care

19 Contributions of Amphibians to Human Welfare

20 Declining Amphibians

Literature Cited

Index

Editorial Reviews

"This fine book helps us to appreciate amphibians more fully and provides vital scientific information that may help us to protect them. . . . Although amphibians are but one piece of the biodiversity crisis, this book may become a model for those who champion the preservation of threatened species of all kinds."—-Andrew R. Blaustein, Trends in Ecology and Evolution

"Conveys the authors' enthusiasm for studying the natural history of a fascinating group of animals. The illustrations are superb [and the] line drawings are a delight. . . . A major contribution."—-Kentwood D. Wells, The Quarterly Review of Biology

"'[P]rofessional zoologists and serious amateurs. . . will find it a really useful, and enjoyable, work of reference."—-Nicholas Gould, International Zoo News

"This book ... seems likely to replace Duellman and Trueb's Biology of Amphibians as the standard text for students and researchers."—-Chris Mattison, New Scientist

From the Publisher

This book ... seems likely to replace Duellman and Trueb's Biology of Amphibians as the standard text for students and researchers.

New Scientist - Chris Mattison

'[P]rofessional zoologists and serious amateurs. . . will find it a really useful, and enjoyable, work of reference.

International Zoo News" - Nicholas Gould

Conveys the authors' enthusiasm for studying the natural history of a fascinating group of animals. The illustrations are superb [and the] line drawings are a delight. . . . A major contribution.

The Quarterly Review of Biology - Kentwood D. Wells

This fine book helps us to appreciate amphibians more fully and provides vital scientific information that may help us to protect them. . . . Although amphibians are but one piece of the biodiversity crisis, this book may become a model for those who champion the preservation of threatened species of all kinds.

Trends in Ecology and Evolution - Andrew R. Blaustein

This book ... seems likely to replace Duellman and Trueb's Biology of Amphibians as the standard text for students and researchers.
— Chris Mattison

New Scientist

'[P]rofessional zoologists and serious amateurs. . . will find it a really useful, and enjoyable, work of reference.
— Nicholas Gould

International Zoo News

Conveys the authors' enthusiasm for studying the natural history of a fascinating group of animals. The illustrations are superb [and the] line drawings are a delight. . . . A major contribution.
— Kentwood D. Wells

The Quarterly Review of Biology

This fine book helps us to appreciate amphibians more fully and provides vital scientific information that may help us to protect them. . . . Although amphibians are but one piece of the biodiversity crisis, this book may become a model for those who champion the preservation of threatened species of all kinds.
— Andrew R. Blaustein

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

This fine book helps us to appreciate amphibians more fully and provides vital scientific information that may help us to protect them. . . . Although amphibians are but one piece of the biodiversity crisis, this book may become a model for those who champion the preservation of threatened species of all kinds.
— Andrew R. Blaustein

Trends in Ecology and Evolution