Amphibians and Reptiles (Naturalists’ Handbook 31)

This is a comprehensive guide to both native and non-native species of amphibians and reptiles found in the British Isles. It is number 31 in the well-respected Naturalists’ Handbook series which includes titles such as Common Ground Beetles and Insects on Dock Plants. In the introduction, Trevor Beebee points out that amphibians did not always have the degree of interest they have now with naturalist Carl Linnaeus declaring a “profound dislike of them” and Gilbert White gave “scant attention” to them! After the introduction is a chapter on basic biology including skin, feeding, respiration, and reproduction. This is followed by a detailed account of the ecology of amphibians and reptiles and a section about conservation. The next two chapters are probably the most useful to people especially if they are interested in studying in more detail or surveying species such as the protected great crested newt or the more elusive wall lizard, with sections on both daylight and night-time searches (using powerful torches) and live trapping. For adventurous teachers keen to encourage real science chapter 7 shows how schools can help to further the knowledge of these creatures. It includes three types of investigations: the first involves studying whether pupils have amphibians or reptiles living in around their own gardens, secondly investigating the school grounds or local nature reserves and finally a section about lab based studies. These investigations give the pupils the “chance to see wild animals and experience the excitement of completely new discoveries based on the simplest of scientific methods”. Like most of the Naturalists’ Handbooks there is a species identification section covering the seven amphibian and six terrestrial reptiles native to Britain. This section has seven identification keys including adult and immature newts, newt eggs and larvae and adult and hatching limbed lizards. This is a very useful part of the book including extensive keys to aid identification and a selection of pictures that are very clear and include larva and spawn of some species. There are also 20 maps showing distributions. Like lots of groups of species, there is a problem with introduced and escapee specimens which has become more prevalent and this guide includes identification of these species including the midwife toad and Italian great crested newt. The final chapter considers some general aspects of working with amphibians and reptiles including the legal niceties and handling. At the end of the book is a section on useful addresses and links (including where you can buy food for captive amphibians and reptiles!), two pages of references cited in the text and a four page index. Throughout the text is a glossary found in the margin of the book alongside where the word occurs. Colour photographs, graphs, maps, tables and diagrams are all very clear. Trevor Beebee was professor of molecular ecology at the University of Sussex combining an interest in research and conservation. He has published over 150 scientific papers, more than 30 articles and several books on amphibians and reptiles. Beebee was awarded the Peter Scott Memorial Award by the British Naturalists’ Association in 2009 for contributions to amphibian conservation. This Naturalists’ Handbook is very easy to read, encouraging those people interested in this aspect of natural history to be able to identify species and make a contribution to citizen science should they want to. -- Helen Ashton * Reference Reviews, Volume 28, No 3 * This book is the thirty-first in the Handbook series, recently revived and revitalized by Pelagic Publishing having been published previously by a number of other stables (including Cambridge University Press). It is a comprehensive guide to all the UK’s native and established non-native species. There are effectively three sections. The first (divided into different chapters) covers biology, ecology, conservation, surveying and studying amphibians and reptiles, and also has a very useful chapter on How Schools Can Help, which I think will be popular. Educators will glean ideas for class study of these taxa and, perhaps more importantly, a few pupils might begin to find tadpoles more interesting than Grand Theft Auto 5. The earlier chapters are just as interesting though – written to be accessible to a wide audience, cynical herpetologists and novices alike will find something of interest. For the latter, terms such as oviparous are explained with periodic marginal notes (so no need to continually turn to a Glossary) and textual points are well illustrated with clear colour photos. A full list of native and established UK species is given and so are diagrams showing the family (taxonomic) relationships of amphibians and reptiles, and where British genera sit within them. The chapters on surveying and studying are particularly informative, and Trevor doesn’t shy away from technical terms, supported by appropriate graphs and diagrams where these are required. This overall approach is one that fosters understanding and interest. The middle section of the book is devoted to identification. There is a colour photo of just about everything and these are divided by life-stage (eggs, tadpoles, adults etc.), rather than by species, to allow comparison! I haven’t seen that for a while. The only illustrations lacking appear to be those of frog and toad metamorphs… so good job there’s a clear and simple key to all species and stages and which refers directly to the photographs. Phew. Is this the first book in which I’ve seen a picture of a natterjack tadpole’s chin patch? Well, yes, it is. You can find distribution maps and habitat information here too. The final section contains advice on working with amphibians and reptiles, and again I think it will be popular. There’s common sense here but also useful information for those craving a career or course of study involving herpetofauna (including a bit on statistics, don’t be scared!). We can usually expect two things from a new book by Trevor Beebee – the benefit of a lifetime’s experience and, of course, clear, well-written text. I think both are delivered here. A non-UK colleague of mine told me he found this book “inspiring”… add to that the fact that the author royalties are being donated to Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and there’s really no reason not to buy it! Unless of course you’re lucky enough to have been sent a review copy… -- John W. Wilkinson * Herpetological Bulletin * It's always nice when a book is published that enthuses you because it is so inspiring. [...] A number of things struck me as positive. First is that the author convincingly shows how research on captive animals contributes to our knowledge. [...] Second, a lot of attention is paid to the role of schools in the protection of amphibians and reptiles [...] Third, and most inspiring to me, is that the author gives many ideas for future research. [Translation from Dutch review] -- Sergé Bogaerts * RAVON 49 September 2013 15(3) *