Reptile Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques

by C. Kenneth Dodd

Overview

This practical handbook of reptile field ecology and conservation brings together a distinguished, international group of reptile researchers to provide a state-of-the-art review of the many new and exciting techniques used to study reptiles. The authors describe ecological sampling techniques and how they are implemented to monitor the conservation status and population trends of snakes, lizards, tuatara, turtles, and crocodilians throughout the world. Emphasis is placed on the extent of statistical inference and the biases associated with different techniques and analyses.

The chapters focus on the application of field research and data analysis for achieving an understanding of reptile life history, population dynamics, movement patterns, thermal ecology, conservation status, and the relationship between reptiles and their environment. The book emphasises the need for thorough planning, and demonstrates how a multi-dimensional approach incorporates information related to morphology, genetics, molecular biology, epidemiology, statistical modelling, animal welfare, and biosecurity. Although accentuating field sampling, sections on experimental applications in laboratories and zoos, thermal ecology, genetics, landscape ecology, disease and biosecurity, and management options are included. Much of this information is scattered in the scientific literature or not readily available, and the intention is to provide an affordable, comprehensive synthesis for use by graduate students, researchers, and practising conservationists worldwide.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198726142
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	07/05/2016
Series:	Techniques in Ecology & Conservation
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	492
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

C. Kenneth Dodd, Courtesy Associate Professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida

Ken Dodd is currently Courtesy Associate Professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida. He has previously held positions at Mississippi State University as Assistant Professor in 1975, Staff Herpetologist at the Office of Endangered Species in the US Fish and Wildlife Service from 1976 to 1984, and Research Zoologist at the US Geological Survey from 1984 to 2007. He has published over 210 research and popular articles, book reviews and book chapters and edited the Amphibian volume in OUP's Techniques in Ecology and Conservation Series. He is a past President of the Herpetologists' League and was Associate Editor for the Journal of Herpetology for over 8 years. His professional interests are conservation biology, population ecology and demography, monitoring vertebrate populations, sampling approaches, and history of herpetology. Ken lives in Gainesville, Florida, with his wife Marian Griffey and their 8 cats and numerous turtles.

Table of Contents

Part 1. Introduction1. Reptile diversity and life history, Laurie Vitt2. Planning and setting objectives in field studies, Robert N. Fisher3. Data collection and storage, Richard SeigelPart 2. The Individual4. Measuring and marking reptiles, John W. Ferner and Michael V. Plummer5. Digital identification and analysis, Roberto Sacchi, Stefano Scali, Marco Mangiacotti, Marco Sannolo, Marco Alberto Luca Zuffi6. Preserving specimens for additional study, Steve W. Gotte, Jeremy F. Jacobs, and George R. Zug7. Reproduction, Gunther Kohler8. Diet, Luca Luiselli and Giovanni Amori9. Movement patterns and telemetry, Bruce Kingsbury and Nathan J. RobinsonPart 3. Sampling Reptiles10. Surface-dwelling reptiles: coverboards, drift fences and arrays, John D. Willson11. Arboreal and fossorial reptiles, Robert Henderson, Robert Powell, Jose Martin, and Pilar Lopez12. Sea snakes, Xavier Bonnet, Arne R. Rasmussen and Francois Brischoux13. Freshwater turtles, Richard Vogt14. Terrestrial turtles and tortoises, Margaretha Hofmeyr and Brian Henen15. Sea turtles, Seth Stapleton and Karen Eckert16. Crocodilians, Charlie Manolis and Matt BrienPart 4. Reptiles in the Community17. Plot and transect censuses, Tiffany M. Doan18. Rapid assessments of reptile diversity, Indraneil Das19. Measuring microhabitats used by non-avian reptiles, Henry Mushinsky and Earl McCoy20. Water quality and toxicology, Christine Bishop21 Richness, diversity and similarity, C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr.22. Landscape ecology, biogeography and GIS methods, Monika Bohm and Viorel D. PopescuPart 5. Experimental Applications, Physiological Ecology, Genetics23. Experimental applications, Stephen J. Mullin24. Body temperatures and the thermal environment, Keith Christian, Richard Tracy, and Christopher Tracy25. Genetics in field ecology and conservation, Nancy Fitzsimmons and Joanne SumnerPart 6. Trends Analysis and Conservation Options26. Occupancy models, Darryl MacKenzie27. Estimating abundance, Chris Sutherland and J. Andrew Royle28. Disease, parasites, and biosecurity protocols, Elliott R. Jacobson29. Conservation management of reptiles, David A. Pike30. Education and outreach, Brian Gratwicke, Matthew Neff, Lindsay Renick Mayer, Sharon Ryan, and Jennifer Sevin

Editorial Reviews

"The book not only contains a wealth of information, but is extremely well produced. This is an important collection of methods for all student of reptile ecology and conservation." — Herpetological Review

From the Publisher