Ecotoxicology of Amphibians and Reptiles

Building on the success of its popular predecessor, the second edition of Ecotoxicology of Amphibians and Reptiles presents newly available findings on the species that are important environmental indicators. This new edition covers nearly twice as many topics as the first, including recent developments in the ecotoxicology of amphibians and reptiles, the current status of these animals, and intrinsic factors that affect their susceptibility to contaminants. The book also provides the latest information on specific groups of contaminants and their effects and body burdens in herpetafauna. After a review of how contaminants interact with other ecological factors, the text explores concerns for the future. New in the second edition: New research on the effects of pesticides, heavy metals, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and UVBIncreased focus on the effects of contaminants rather than merely reporting residue informationA synthesis of information on atrazine and its effects on gonads at low concentrationsCoverage of the potentially alarming new cadre of chemicals that have recently or are about to come on the market for which there is very little or no informationImportant advances in surveying and monitoringOne of the major factors behind the writing of the first edition was the worldwide phenomenon of declining amphibian populations. Although this decline has not abated, the breadth of research into its causes has expanded significantly. With chapter contributors carefully selected by the team of editors as leaders in their fields, this book provides an authoritative compendium of the most recent information on effects and residues coupled with a syntheses of what these numbers mean to science and policy. Table of ContentRecent Advancements in Amphibian and Reptile Ecotoxicology. Declines and the Global Status of Amphibians. The Global Status of Reptiles and Causes of Their Decline. Ecotoxicology of Amphibians and Reptiles in a Nutshell. Physiological Ecology of Amphibians and Reptiles: Natural History and Life History Attributes Framing Chemical Exposure in the Field. Effects of Current Use Pesticides on Amphibians. Ecotoxicology of Pesticides in Reptiles. Atrazine in the Environment and Its Implications for Amphibians and Reptiles. Ecotoxicology of Organic Contaminants to Amphibians. Organic Contaminants in Reptiles. Interdisciplinary and Hierarchical Approaches for Studying the Effects of Metals and Metalloids on Amphibians. The Ecotoxicology of Metals in Reptiles. Solar UV Radiation and Amphibians: Factors Mitigating Injury. Multiple Stressors and Indirect Food Web Effects of Contaminants on Herptofauna. Emerging Contaminants and Their Potential Effects on Amphibians and Reptiles. A Decade of Deformities: Advances in Our Understanding of Amphibian Malformations and Their Implications. Population Estimation Methods for Amphibians and Reptiles. Epilogue: Ecotoxicology of Amphibians and Reptiles — Where Should Be We Going and How Do We Get There? Appendix.Biographical NoteDonald W. Sparling, Greg Linder, Christine A. Bishop, Sherry Krest