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Herpetology

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Blue poison dart frog

Herpetology(fromGreekἑρπετόνherpetón,meaning "reptile"or" creeping animal ") is a branch ofzoologyconcerned with the study ofamphibians(includingfrogs,toads,salamanders,newts,andcaecilians(gymnophiona)) andreptiles(includingsnakes,lizards,amphisbaenids,turtles,terrapins,tortoises,crocodilians,andtuataras).[1][2]Birds,which arecladisticallyincluded within Reptilia, are traditionally excluded here; the separate scientific study of birds is the subject ofornithology.[3]

The precise definition of herpetology is the study ofectothermic (cold-blooded)tetrapods.This definition of "herps" (otherwise called "herptiles" or "herpetofauna" ) excludesfish;however, it is not uncommon for herpetological andichthyologicalscientific societies to collaborate. For instance, groups such as theAmerican Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologistshave co-publishedjournalsand hostedconferencesto foster the exchange of ideas between the fields.[4]Herpetological societiesare formed to promote interest in reptiles and amphibians, bothcaptiveand wild.

Herpetological studies can offer benefits relevant to other fields by providing research on the role of amphibians and reptiles inglobal ecology.For example, by monitoring amphibians that are very sensitive to environmental changes, herpetologists record visible warnings that significant climate changes are taking place.[5][6]Although they can be deadly, sometoxinsandvenomsproduced by reptiles and amphibians are useful inhuman medicine.Currently, somesnake venomhas been used to createanti-coagulantsthat work to treatstrokesandheart attacks.[7]

Naming and etymology[edit]

The wordherpetologyis fromGreek:ἑρπετόν,herpetón,"creeping animal" and-λογία,-logia,"knowledge".[8]

"Herp" is avernacular termfor non-avian reptiles and amphibians. It is derived from the archaic term "herpetile", with roots back toLinnaeus'sclassification of animals, in which he grouped reptiles and amphibians in the same class. There are over 6700speciesof amphibians[9]and over 9000 species of reptiles.[10]Despite its modern taxonomic irrelevance, the term has persisted, particularly in the names of herpetology, the scientific study of non-avian reptiles and amphibians, andherpetoculture,the captive care and breeding of reptiles and amphibians.

Subfields[edit]

The field of herpetology can be divided into areas dealing with particulartaxonomicgroups such as frogs (batrachology),[11][12]snakes (ophiology or ophidiology), lizards (saurology) and turtles (cheloniology, chelonology, or testudinology).[13][14]

More generally, herpetologists work on functional problems in theecology,evolution,physiology,behavior,taxonomy, ormolecular biologyof amphibians and reptiles. Amphibians or reptiles can be used asmodel organismsfor specific questions in these fields, such as the role of frogs in the ecology of awetland.All of these areas are related through their evolutionary history, an example being the evolution ofviviparity(including behavior andreproduction).[15]

Careers[edit]

Career options in the field of herpetology includelab research,field studiesand surveys, assistance in veterinary and medical procedures, zoological staff, museum staff, and college teaching.[16]

In modern academic science, it is rare for an individual to solely consider themselves to be a herpetologist. Most individuals focus on a particular field such as ecology, evolution, taxonomy, physiology, or molecular biology, and within that field ask questions pertaining to or best answered by examining reptiles and amphibians. For example, anevolutionary biologistwho is also a herpetologist may choose to work on an issue such as the evolution of warning coloration incoral snakes.[17]

Modern herpetological writers includeMark O'Shea[18]and Philip Purser. Modern herpetological showmen includeJeff Corwin,Steve Irwin(popularly known as the "Crocodile Hunter" ), andAustin Stevens,popularly known as "Austin Snakeman" in the TV seriesAustin Stevens: Snakemaster.

Herpetology is an established hobby around the world due to the varied biodiversity in many environments. Many amateur herpetologists coin themselves as "herpers".[19]

Study[edit]

Most colleges or universities do not offer a major in herpetology at theundergraduateor thegraduate level.Instead, persons interested in herpetology select a major in thebiological sciences.The knowledge learned about all aspects of thebiology of animalsis then applied to an individual study of herpetology.[20]

Journals[edit]

Herpetology research is published in academic journals includingIchthyology & Herpetology,founded in 1913[21](under the nameCopeiain honour ofEdward Drinker Cope);Herpetologica,founded in 1936;[22]Reptiles and amphibians,founded in 1990;[23]andContemporary Herpetology,founded in 1997 and stopped publishing in 2009.[24]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Herpetology - Reptiles, Amphibians, Conservation - Britannica".www.britannica.com.Retrieved2023-11-24.
  2. ^"Herpetology - Latest research and news - Nature".www.nature.com.Retrieved2023-11-24.
  3. ^"Ornithology - Bird Identification, Behavior & Conservation - Britannica".www.britannica.com.Retrieved2023-09-06.
  4. ^"Recent Meetings".American Society of Ichthyologists and Herptetologists.Retrieved2023-09-06.
  5. ^"Why are amphibian populations declining? - U.S. Geological Survey".www.usgs.gov.Retrieved2023-09-06.
  6. ^"Amphibians as indicators of environmental health".Amphibian Ark.Retrieved2023-09-27.
  7. ^"How venoms are shaping medical advances - BBC Earth".www.bbcearth.com.Retrieved2023-09-06.
  8. ^"herpetology | Etymology of herpetology by etymonline".www.etymonline.com.Retrieved2024-03-05.
  9. ^"AmphibiaWeb".AmphibiaWeb.Retrieved2012-08-13.
  10. ^"Species Statistics February 2012".Reptile-database.org.Retrieved2012-08-13.
  11. ^D.C. Wareham (2005).Elsevier's Dictionary of Herpetological and Related Terminology.Elsevier.ISBN978-0-08-046017-8.
  12. ^Francesco M. Angelici (2015).Problematic Wildlife: A Cross-Disciplinary Approach.Springer. pp. 584–585.ISBN978-3-319-22246-2.
  13. ^Rhodin, Anders G. J. (2 August 2017)."Turtles of the World: Annotated Checklist and Atlas of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status (8th Ed.)".Chelonian Research Foundation and Turtle Conservancy– viaAcademia.edu.
  14. ^Inger, Robert F. (1992)."A Bimodal Feeding System in a Stream-Dwelling Larva of Rhacophorus from Borneo".Copeia.1992(3): 887–890.doi:10.2307/1446167.ISSN0045-8511.JSTOR1446167.
  15. ^Blackburn, Daniel G. (December 2006). "Squamate Reptiles as Model Organisms for the Evolution of Viviparity".Herpetological Monographs.20(1): 131–146.doi:10.1655/0733-1347(2007)20[131:SRAMOF]2.0.CO;2.ISSN0733-1347.S2CID86044099.
  16. ^"Herpetologist Job Description [Updated for 2023]".www.indeed.com.Retrieved2023-09-06.
  17. ^Rojas, Bibiana; Valkonen, Janne; Nokelainen, Ossi (2015-05-04)."Aposematism".Current Biology.25(9): R350–R351.Bibcode:2015CBio...25.R350R.doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.02.015.ISSN0960-9822.PMID25942542.
  18. ^"Mark O'Shea - The Official Website".www.markoshea.info.Retrieved2023-09-06.
  19. ^jlp342 (2020-04-21)."What the Heck is Herping?".cwhl.vet.cornell.edu.Retrieved2023-09-05.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^"How to Become a Herpetologist - EnvironmentalScience.org".www.environmentalscience.org.Retrieved2023-11-16.
  21. ^"Ichthyology & Herpetology".Ichthyology & Herpetology.Retrieved2023-09-06.
  22. ^"Herpetologica on JSTOR".www.jstor.org.Retrieved2023-11-16.
  23. ^"About the Journal - Reptiles & Amphibians".journals.ku.edu.Retrieved2023-09-06.
  24. ^"Contemporary Herpetology".journals.ku.edu.Retrieved2023-09-06.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikibooks has a book on the topic of:Snakes of Europe
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