The Conservation and Biogeography of Amphibians in the Caribbean

NEFTALÍ RÍOS-LÓPEZ, HAROLD HEATWOLE

Reviews the ecology and biogeography of all the main Caribbean islands, and how these relate to the amphibians occurring there.

Considers all the threats facing Caribbean amphibians as well as the efforts being made to protect them, from reserves to legislation.

Offers an important baseline against which future amphibian conservation can be measured in the face of climate change, rising sea level and a burgeoning human population.

An expansive and detailed review of the biology of Caribbean amphibians, considering their threats, conservation and outlook in a changing world. Amphibians are the group of vertebrates undergoing the fastest rate of extinction; it is urgent that we understand the causes of this and find means of protecting them.

This landmark illustrated volume brings together the leading experts in the field. As well as offering an overview of the region as a whole, individual chapters are devoted to each island or island-group and the measures used to protect their amphibians through legislation or nature reserves. The biological background of insular biogeography, including its methods, analysis and results, is reviewed and applied specifically to the problems of Caribbean amphibians – this includes a re-examination of patterns and general ideas about the status of amphibians in the Anthropocene.

Biographical Note

Neftalí Ríos-López holds a PhD in biology and is a Professor of Biology at the University of Puerto Rico. He has written more than 30 scientific articles on natural history, taxonomy, bioacoustics, population and community ecology, climatic change, and conservation of herpetofauna.

Harold Heatwole holds PhDs in zoology, and botany and earth science. He has worked at the universities of Puerto Rico, New England and North Carolina State. As well as being editor for ten years of the journal Integrative and Comparative Biology, he is author of almost 350 scientific articles. His research interests include herpetology, biogeography, seabirds, tardigrades and ants. He is a Fellow of the Explorers’ Club.

PUBLISHER Pelagic Publishing

SIZE 244 x 170 mm

PAGES 632pp

SERIES

Amphibian Biology

BIC SUBJECTS

PSVW3, RNKH, PSVS

BISAC SUBJECTS

SCI020000, SCI070000, NAT028000

RIGHTS World