Vertebrate Ecology: Herpetology

Catalog description

Amphibians and reptiles are among the most vulnerable taxa on earth, and 41% of amphibians and 21% of reptiles are considered threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Throughout the northeastern states, many species of amphibians and reptiles are of conservation concern, and they are the focus of both broad-scale and local conservation efforts. In this course, we will review the ecology, phylogeny, morphology, biogeography, and habitat and spatial needs of amphibians and reptiles and learn and implement methods used to study these animals in the field. We will use this information to investigate threats facing amphibians and reptiles in the Northeast, evaluate conservation and monitoring efforts currently underway, and investigate the potential for amphibians and reptiles to direct landscape-scale conservation efforts in the region.