Reptiles and Amphibians of the Pacific Islands: A Comprehensive Guide

"The Pacific is not only the world's largest body of water; its vast expanse also includes an extraordinary number and diversity of oceanic islands - From Palau and the Marianas east of the Philippines to Cocos Island and the Galapagos west of the Americas. The isolation of these lands and the extreme distances between them long prevented scientists from studying their floras and faunas in a comparative context. But now George R. Zug,one of the world's foremost experts on the diverse reptiles and amphibians of the Pacific Basin, offers the first such systematic overview in more than half a century. "Reptiles and Amphibians of the Pacific Islands" is a compendium of the frogs, lizards, snakes, and turtles living on these lands and in the adjacent waters of the oceanic islands in the tropical Pacific. The means to identify each species is included, along with entries that describe each animal's form, coloration, habitat, distribution, reproductive biology, and natural history. Color plates of more than 75 percent of the species also help facilitate visual identification. This accessible and informative guide is the most comprehensive field reference available and will appeal to both novice and professional naturalists." -- Back cover.