Gourt > Science > Environment > Biodiversity > Conservation > Reptiles and Amphibians (1)
Amphibians (class Amphibia) are a taxon of animals that include all tetrapods, four-legged vertebrates, that do not have amniotic eggs.(from Greek αμφις "both" and βιος "life") are ectotherms, and generally spend part of their time on land, but most do not have the adaptations to an entirely terrestrial existence found in most other modern tetrapods (amniotes). There are around 6,000 described, living species of amphibians. The study of amphibians and reptiles is known as herpetology.
History of amphibians
Amphibians developed with the characteristics of pharyngeal slits/gills, a dorsal nerve cord, a notochord, and a post-anal tail at different stages of their life. Though early tetrapods (which appeared 390 million years ago in the Devonian period) are often referred to as "amphibians", the first true amphibians (of the order Temnospondyli) appeared during the early Carboniferous period. During the late Carboniferous, Permian and Triassic periods, amphibians were extremely diverse, including many large and small forms, some newt and salamander-like, others resembling snakes or eels, and some large-snouted forms that were very like small (about 1.5 meter long) crocodiles (e.g. Archegosaurus). The drying out of the coal swamps during the latest Carboniferous and again at the end of the Early Permian diminished many of the environments of these Paleozoic amphibians, with the result that many types died out, and they were supplanted by reptiles. However both large and small amphibians still continued to flourish in rivers and lakes of the Late Permian, alongside the diverse therapsids or mammal-like reptiles that were the dominant land animals of that time. During the following, Triassic period, there were many genera with large, sometimes very flattened heads and very weak limbs; some of these, like Paracyclotosaurus, Cyclotosaurus and Mastodonsaurus were several meters in length. Apart from a few stragglers, all these large amphibians died out at the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event, and the majority of Jurassic amphibians belonged to modern groups, and would look familiar today.
Throughout their history, amphibians have ranged in size from large forms, such as the above mentioned Triassic genera, the 5 foot (150cm) long Eryops of the Permian period, and the Giant Japanese and Chinese Salamanders of today, down to the tiny Brachycephalus didactylus (Brazilian Gold Frog) and Eleutherodactylus iberia (leptodactylid frog) from Cuba, with a total length of 9.6-9.8 millimeters (0.4 inches). Amphibians have mastered almost every climate on earth from the hottest deserts to the frozen arctic.
More on [ Amphibian ]
Amphibia :: Chordata
Reptilia :: Chordata
What does a herpetologist study? "Reptiles and amphibians"
SlyBilly (William DiSilvestro) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:51:30 -0000
What does a herpetologist study? "Reptiles and amphibians"
@urbanBeaute kinda, yellow is poisonous color for reptiles and amphibians correct? and oh that kinda explan how she know
JayLaMusica (jeremy latimore) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:41:29 -0000
@urbanBeaute kinda, yellow is poisonous color for reptiles and amphibians correct? and oh that kinda explan how she know
Reptiles and Amphibians Invade Wheeler Gorge!. http://r2u.at/j6jOqn
yoloneci64186 (Ojai, CA) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:32:27 -0000
Reptiles and Amphibians Invade Wheeler Gorge!. http://r2u.at/j6jOqn
My Life with Reptiles, Amphibians, and High Ranking Government Officials http://twa.lk/95Pfg
sonnyerv (Sonny Ervan) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:42:16 -0000
My Life with Reptiles, Amphibians, and High Ranking Government Officials http://twa.lk/95Pfg
What does a herpetologist study? "Reptiles and amphibians"
SlyBilly (William DiSilvestro) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:51:33 -0000
What does a herpetologist study? "Reptiles and amphibians"
What does a herpetologist study? "Reptiles and amphibians"
SlyBilly (William DiSilvestro) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:51:42 -0000
What does a herpetologist study? "Reptiles and amphibians"
Amphibian Conservation Alliance - A non-profit organization working to conserve amphibians worldwide through a variety of research, education, and advocacy programs.
Amphibian Information Website - Searchable databases of literature references, researchers, and web sites dealing with amphibian conservation. The references database contain data only for USA.
Amphibians and Reptiles in Great Lakes Wetlands. - An overview of the threats and conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the Great Lakes Wetlands. It also has information on the value and threats of wetlands in general.
Meta Description: [ We deliver national programs tailored to respond to regional and local issues; implement Great Lakes 2000 and the Canada-Ontario Agreement (COA) Respecting Great Lakes; and represent Environment Canada corporately in binational, national, regional and local partnerships., Nous sommes un ministèr... ]
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Amphibians and Reptiles in the UK - Contains information on reptile and amphibian species native to the UK, and practical tips on how to help conserve them.
Amphibians of Canada - Amphibians of Canada are examined in the light of conservation, life history, and habitats.
Meta Description: [ Virtual Exhibit on Canada's Biodiversity: focus on Amphibians. In this site, amphibians of Canada are examined in the light of conservation, life history, and habitats. An attempt was made to provide useful information in an interactive way that best reflects the complexity of amphibians, their l... ]
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AmphibiaWeb - Allows free access to information on amphibian biology and conservation.
BBC News | Vanishing reptiles prompt concern - Scientists say there is evidence that reptiles are undergoing a decline even more marked than that now affecting amphibians.
Meta Description: [ US researchers say reptile populations are in crisis around the world. ]
British Chelonia - A charity dedicated to the preservation and conservation of tortoises, turtles, and terrapins worldwide.
Meta Description: [ Tortoise, turtle and terrapin sanctuary- Paul and Maggie)involved in rescue, conservation and captive breeding of rare species. ]
British Chelonia Group - A charity dedicated to the welfare of tortoises, terrapins and turtles. Information on aspects of care and husbandry is given, as well as scientific articles.
Meta Description: [ The British Chelonia Group is a charity dedicated to the welfare of tortoises, terrapins and turtles. You'll find information on all aspects of care and husbandry as well as scientific articles. ]
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Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network - A collection of professionals and amateurs devoted to studying, monitoring and conserving amphibians and reptiles in Canada.
Crocodile Specialist Group - Dedicated to conserving alligators, caimans, crocodiles and gharials and returning them to former abundance. The site contains CSG programs, newsletters, an action plan for crocodilian conservation, and a Photo Gallery.
Meta Description: [ Bringing alligators, caimans, crocodiles, and gharials
back from the edge of extinction and returning them to former abundance is one of the
true success stories in international wildlife conservation. Much of this success
stems from the work of the Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG), an int... ]
Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force - Based at the Open University Ecology and Conservation Research Group and operate under the umbrella of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. The mission of the DAPTF is to determine the nature, extent and causes of declines of amphibians throughout the world, and to promote means by which declines can be halted or reversed.
Gopher Tortoise Council - Group that works toward the conservation and education about the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). General information about the tortoise, conservation and education efforts, and publications are available.
Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society - Information on marine turtles and the societies objectives and current projects.
Meta Description: [ Promoting and effecting the conservation, wise management and restoration of the populations of the four species of marine turtles that nest in Guyana, both by direct and indirect means. ]
North American Amphibian Monitoring Program - Part of a global effort to study and conserve amphibians.
Meta Description: [ The North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) is a
long-term monitoring program designed to track the status and trends of
frog and toad populations. ]
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation - Working to conserve amphibians and reptiles by promoting research, sound habitat management, and educating the public.
Meta Description: [ Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), is an inclusive partnership dedicated to the conservation of herpetofauna--reptiles and amphibians--and their habitats. ]
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Proyecto Coquí - Information on the herpetofauna of Puerto Rico, and the research, education and conservation efforts of Eleutherodactylus spp. in particular. In English and Spanish.
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Sea Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU) - Information on research and conservation and educational activities.
Meta Description: [ Sea Turtle Research, Conservation and Education Activities in University College of Science and Technology Malaysia (KUSTEM). ]
Swiss Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Programme - A task force to promote, implement and coordinate efforts to conserve the native amphibian and reptile fauna, which is protected by law since 1967.
The Action Plan for Australian Reptiles - Action plans for individual species and information on recovery programmes.
Meta Description: [ Action plans and conservation overviews are major documents that have been produced by the Department since the commencement of the Endangered Species Program in 1989. ]
The Antiguan Racer Conservation Project - Give information about the racer snake, Alsophis antiguae, its location and the work being undertaken to protect it.
Meta Description: [ The Antiguan racer - the world's rarest snake and how it was saved from extinction. An exciting educational website with film clips, photos and games created by Fauna & Flora International, The Wildscreen Trust and at-Bristol. ]
The Herpetological Conservation Trust - A UK registered charity dedicated to the conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians.
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The Horned Lizard Conservation Society - A non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation, study and conservation of the various species of Horned Lizards.
Tomistoma Task Force - A nonprofit wildlife conservation initiative for endangered crocodilian Tomistoma schlegelii (False Gharial).
Meta Description: [ Tomistoma Task Force: A nonprofit wildlife conservation initiative for endangered Tomistoma schlegelii ]
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Triturus - Information on the growth, habitats and conservation of newts of the genus Triturus.
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Vernal Pool Ecosystems - Proceedings from a 1996 Conference on the ecology, conservation, and management of vernal pools. The vernal pools of California's Central Valley support four species of native amphibians.
Meta Description: [ The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of California's native plants and to conserve them and their natural habitats through education, science, advocacy, horticulture and land stewardship. ]
West Indian Iguana Specialist Group - Group works to study and conserve West Indian iguanas (Cyclura and Iguana), which are among the most endangered lizards in the world, and their habitats. It includes data on each species' habitat, current status, estimated population size, threats, conservation activities, and reports.
Meta Description: [ The Iguana Specialist Group and the World Conservation Union present a Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for West Indian Iguanas. ]
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