Laurie J. Vitt is a George Lynn Cross Research Professor (Zoology Department) at the University of Oklahoma and Associate Director of Collections and Research at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

This third edition, now fully revised and updated by two of Dr. Zug's colleagues, provides herpetology students and amateur reptile and amphibian keepers with the latest taxonomy and species developments from around the world. Herpetology is a rapidly evolving field, which has contributed to new discoveries in many conceptual areas of biology. The authors build on this progress by updating all chapters with new literature, graphics, and discussions-many of which have changed our thinking.With a new emphasis placed on conservation issues, Herpetology continues to broaden the global coverage from earlier editions, recognizing the burgeoning reptile and amphibian research programs and the plight of many species in all countries and all biomes.New information on the remarkable advances in behavioral, physiological, and phylo-geographical data provide students with the current research they need to advance their education and better prepare their future in herpetology.

This third edition, now fully revised and updated by two of Dr. Zug's colleagues, provides herpetology students and amateur reptile and amphibian keepers with the latest taxonomy and species developments from around the world. Herpetology is a rapidly evolving field, which has contributed to new discoveries in many conceptual areas of biology. The authors build on this progress by updating all chapters with new literature, graphics, and discussions-many of which have changed our thinking.With a new emphasis placed on conservation issues, Herpetology continues to broaden the global coverage from earlier editions, recognizing the burgeoning reptile and amphibian research programs and the plight of many species in all countries and all biomes.New information on the remarkable advances in behavioral, physiological, and phylo-geographical data provide students with the current research they need to advance their education and better prepare their future in herpetology.

1;Front Cover;12;Herpetology;43;Copyright Page;54;Dedication;65;Contents;86;Foreword;107;Acknowledgments;128;Introduction;149;Part 1: Evolutionary History;169.1;Chapter 1: Tetrapod Relationships and Evolutionary Systematics;189.1.1;Amphibians and Reptiles-Evolutionary History;189.1.2;Relationships Among Vertebrates;209.1.3;Evolution of Early Anamniotes;279.1.4;Evolution of Early Amniotes;299.1.5;Radiation of Diapsids;339.1.6;Linnean Versus Evolutionary Taxonomy;359.1.7;Systematics-Theory and Practice;409.1.8;Methods of Analysis;449.1.9;Questions;479.1.10;Additional Reading;489.1.11;References;489.2;Chapter 2: Anatomy of Amphibians and Reptiles;509.2.1;Development and Growth;509.2.2;Early Development;519.2.3;Morphogenesis;529.2.4;Embryonic Lifestyles;549.2.5;Changing Worlds-Metamorphosis, Hatching, and Birth;589.2.6;Growth;609.2.7;Integument-The External Envelope;629.2.8;Integumentary Structures;639.2.9;Reptilian Scales, Glands, and Skin Structures;649.2.10;Ecdysis;659.2.11;Coloration;669.2.12;Skeleton and Muscles-Support, Movement, and Form;689.2.13;Head and Hyoid;689.2.14;Vertebral Column;739.2.15;Girdles and Limbs;779.2.16;Nerves and Sense Organs-Coordination and Preception;809.2.17;Nervous Systems;809.2.18;Sense Organs;829.2.19;Heart and Vascular Network-Internal Transport;859.2.20;Digestive and Respiratory Organs-Energy Acquisition and Processing;889.2.21;Urinary and Reproductive Organs-Waste Removal and Propogation;929.2.22;Endocrine Glands-Chemical Regulators and Initiators;949.2.23;Questions;959.2.24;Additional Reading;959.2.25;References;959.3;Chapter 3: Evolution of Ancient and Modern Amphibians and Reptiles;989.3.1;History of Amphibians;989.3.2;History of Reptiles;1089.3.3;Questions;1249.3.4;Additional Reading;1249.3.5;References;12410;Part 2: Reproduction and Reproductive Modes;12610.1;Chapter 4: Reproduction and Life Histories;12810.1.1;Gametogenesis and Fertilization;12810.1.2;Reproductive Ecology;13410.1.3;Life Histories;15110.1.4;Questions;16010.1.5;Additional Reading;16010.1.6;References;16010.2;Chapter 5: Reproductive Modes;16210.2.1;Defining Reproductive Modes;16210.2.2;Viviparity;17110.2.3;Parental Care;17410.2.4;Questions;18010.2.5;Additional Reading;18010.2.6;References;18110.2.7;Parental Care;18111;Part 3: Physiological Ecology;18211.1;Chapter 6: Water Balance and Gas Exchange;18411.1.1;Water and Salt Balance;18411.1.2;Respiratory Gas Exchange;19711.1.3;Respiration and Metabolism;20211.1.4;Questions;20311.1.5;Additional Reading;20411.1.6;References;20411.2;Chapter 7: Thermoregulation, Performance, and Energetics;20611.2.1;Thermoregulation;20911.2.2;Dormancy;22111.2.3;Energetics;22211.2.4;Synthesis;22511.2.5;Questions;22711.2.6;Additional Reading;22711.2.7;References;22712;Part 4: Behavioral Ecology;23012.1;Chapter 8: Spacing, Movements, and Orientation;23212.1.1;Local Distribution of Individuals;23312.1.2;Movements, Homing, and Migrations;24212.1.3;Homing and Orientation;24812.1.4;Questions;25312.1.5;Additional Reading;25312.1.6;References;25312.2;Chapter 9: Communication and Social Behavior;25412.2.1;Communication;25412.2.2;Reproductive Behavior;27012.2.3;Miscellaneous Social Aggregations;28312.2.4;Questions;28312.2.5;Additional Reading;28412.2.6;References;28412.3;Chapter 10: Foraging Ecology and Diets;28612.3.1;Foraging Modes;28612.3.2;Detecting, Capturing, and Eating Prey;29012.3.3;Prey Types and Sizes;30312.3.4;Questions;31012.3.5;Additional Reading;31012.3.6;References;31112.4;Chapter 11: Defense and Escape;31212.4.1;Escape and Emergence Theory;31312.4.2;Predator Avoidance;31512.4.3;Offsetting the Effects of Parasitism;33312.4.4;Questions;33712.4.5;Additional Reading;33712.4.6;References;33813;Part 5: Ecology, Biogeography, and Conservation Biology;34013.1;Chapter 12: Ecology;34213.1.1;Species Richness and Abundance;34613.1.2;Experimental Studies;34913.1.3;Comparative Studies;35113.