Herpetology

Zoology

Branches of Zoology

Acarology Arachnology Cetology Cryptozoology Entomology Ethology Herpetology Ichthyology Mammalogy Myrmecology Neuroethology Ornithology Paleozoology Anthrozoology

History

pre-Darwin post-Darwin

Herpetology (from Greek: ἑρπετόν, herpeton, "creeping animal" and λόγος, logos, "knowledge") is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of reptiles and amphibians. Many biologists use the term "herp" or "herptiles" for all reptiles and amphibians.

Herpetology is concerned with poikilothermic, or cold-blooded, tetrapods. "Herps" include salamanders, frogs, toads, snakes, lizards, turtles, tuataras, crocodilians and an odd group of amphibians called caecilians, but exclude fish. However, it is not uncommon for herpetological and ichthyological scientific societies to "team up", publishing joint journals and holding joint conferences in order to foster the exchange of ideas between the fields. The most prestigious herpetology societies is an example of this - the American Society for Ichthyology and Herpetology.

Two classes are categorized within herpetology: reptiles and amphibians. These groups share poikilothermy, and sometimes a superficial resemblance to one another (e.g. salamanders and lizards are often confused) but are not closely related in an evolutionary sense. Amphibians have permeable skin that allows for the exchange of gases, very much like the tissue that makes up mammalian lungs. Many amphibians do not have lungs at all,^{[citation needed]} but use their skin alone for gas exchange and respiration. Amphibians have a three-chambered heart, and are often bound to water for at least part of their lives. Amphibians have glandular skin, and many of them produce toxic secretions in some of their skin glands, warding off predators and generally tasting bad. Reptiles, by contrast, have a dry watertight skin, usually protected by scales, that normally has few if any glands. Many species of reptiles spend no part of their lives anywhere near water, and they all have lungs. The reptilian heart is three-chambered (four-chambered in the case of crocodilians), and living reptilians usually, if not always, lay eggs or give birth on land, including marine turtles, which only come ashore for this purpose. Again, extinct creatures may have exhibited some differences. A number of reptilian species, most notably some of the snake species, are born live, not hatching from externally laid eggs.

Herpetology offers benefits to humanity in the study of the role of amphibians and reptiles in global ecology, especially because amphibians are often very sensitive to environmental changes, offering a visible warning to humans that significant changes are taking place. Some toxins and venoms produced by reptiles and amphibians are useful in human medicine. Currently, some snake venom has been used to create anti-coagulants that work to treat stroke victims and heart attack cases.

People with an avid interest in herpetology and who keep different reptiles or amphibians, often refer to themselves as "herpers."

Careers

There are many careers in the field of herpetology. These included, but are not limited to, field researches, public and private breeders, zoological staff or curator, college professor, and museum staff or curator.

Those wishing to pursue a career in herpetology must have a strong science and math background. Few universities offer this program, and thus it is a highly competitive field.

In modern academic science, it is rare for individuals to consider themselves a herpetologist first and foremost. 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, an evolutionary biologist who is also a herpetologist may choose to work on how warning coloration evolved in coral snakes.

See also

• Herping
• Ethnoherpetology
• List of herpetologists
• List of reptiles
• List of regional reptiles lists
• Ophiology - taxonomically-oriented discipline on the study of snakes
• Important publications in herpetology

External links

• Center for North American Herpetology over 500 species of reptiles and amphibians
• Herpetological Resources and Links
• Reptile Amphibian & Pesticide (RAP) Database
• New Zealand Herpetology

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

Credits

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