I. WHAT ARE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES?
1. Herpetology as a Field of Study. The Diversity of Amphibians and Reptiles. Shared Characters of Amphibians and Reptiles. Amphibians and Reptiles in Terrestrial Ecosystems. Development of Herpetology as a Field of Study. Summary.
2. The Place of Amphibians and Reptiles in Vertebrate Evolution. Phylogenetic Systematics. The Transition from fishes to Tetrapods. The Ecological Transition in Tetrapod Origins. Monophyly of Lissamphibia. Two Hypotheses for Relations between Lissamphibians and Paleozoic Amphibians. Paedomorphosis in Lissamphibian Evolution. Relationships among Extant Orders of Lissamphibia. The Radiation of Amniotes. Summary.
3. Classification and Diversity of Extant Amphibians. Salamanders (Urodela). Systematics and Phylogeny of Extant Salamanders. Caecilians (Gymnophiona). Systematics and Phylogeny of Caecilians. Frogs (Anura). Systematics and Phylogeny of Frogs. Summary.
4. Classification and Diversity of Extant Reptiles. Turtles (Testudines or Chelonia). Systematics and Phylogeny of Turtles. Lepidosauria. Tuatara (Rhynchocephalia). Lizards and Snakes (Squamata). Systematics and Phylogeny of Lizards. Systematics and Phylogeny of Snakes. Crocodilians (Crocodylia). Systematics and Phylogeny of Crocodilians. Summary.
II. HOW DO THEY WORK?
5. Temperature and Water Relations. Pathways of Energy and Water Exchange. Water Uptake and Loss. Heat Gain and Loss. Behavioral Aspects of Thermoregulation. Cardiovascular Control of Heating and Cooling. The Thermal Ecology of Amphibians and Reptiles. Water in the Lives of Amphibians and Reptiles. Summary.
6. Energetics and Performance. Sites of Gas Exchange. Patterns of Blood Flow. Functions of Intracardiac Shunts. ATP Synthesis: Oxidative and Glycolytic Metabolism. Energy Costs of Natural Activities. Annual Energy Budgets. Environmental Variables and Performance. Performance and Fitness. Trade-Offs. Summary.
7. Reproduction and Life History. Sexual and Asexual Reproduction. Reproductive Cycles. Gametes, Fertilization, and Development. Sex Determination. Life Cycles and Reproductive Modes. Heterochrony. Parental Care. Viviparity. Life history Variation. Summary.
8. Body Support and Locomotion. Body Support, Thrust, and Gait. Lever Systems. Terrestrial Locomotion with Limbs. Jumping. Terrestrial Limbless Locomotion. Aquatic Locomotion. Summary.
9. Feeding. Suction and Suspension Feeding. Terrestrial Feeding Mechanisms. Cranial Kinesis. Envenomation. Pit Organ. Herbivory. Summary.
III. WHAT DO THEY DO?
10. Movements and Orientation. Ecological Consequences of Movement. Methods for Studying Movements. Types of Movement. Local Movements and home Range. Territoriality. Migration. Movement of Juveniles. Homing Behavior. Mechanisms of Orientation. Summary.
11. Communication. Modes of Communication. Constraints on Signal production. Communication and Noise. Communication in the Major Clades of Amphibians and Reptiles. Summary.
12. Mating Systems and Sexual Selection. The Relationship of Mating Systems and Sexual Selection. Mating Systems of Amphibians and Reptiles. Variables Affecting Male Reproductive Success. Patterns of Sexual Size Dimorphism. Summary.
13. Foraging Ecology and Interspecific Interactions. Foods and Feeding. Foraging Behaviors. Optimal Diets. Parasite-Host Interactions. Predator-Prey Interactions.
14. Species Assemblages. Gradients in Species Richness. Determinants of Assemblage Structure and Composition. Case Studies of Amphibian and Reptiles Assemblages. Summary.
IV. WHAT ARE THEIR PROSPECTS FOR SURVIVAL?
15. Conservation and the Future of Amphibians and Reptiles. Declining Amphibians. A Model Issue. Major Themes. Human Perceptions of Amphibians and Reptiles. Impact of Humans on Amphibians and Reptiles. Patterns of Species Extinction and Extirpation. Conservation Options. Summary.
Bibliography. Illustration Credits. Index. 