Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa, 2002)

Book Rev i ew Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa, 2002). Readers familiar with this book will recognize the by Stephen Spawls, Kim M. Howell, and Robert C. Drews. exact same information and photographs in many of RAEA’s 2006. reptile species accounts. The information has been condensed, Princeton University Press (press.princton.edu) and just over 75% of the photos are identical and the photos Softcover. 240 pp. US $24.95. range in quality from excellent to poor. The new photos are of improved qualify and one snake {Polemon christyi) was not In the introduction to Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa illustrated in Spawls, et al, (2002). The vast majority of the (RAEA) the authors write that this book is intended to be a amphibian photographs are original and do not seem to have portable field guide to identify the most commonly encoun appeared elsewhere. tered 190 reptile and 85 amphibian species (of a total of 620 In addition to the photographic benefits of the book, RAEA species) in East Africa. This goal has certainly been accom is sprinkled with interesting natural history information Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/jhms/article-pdf/17/2/60/2208631/1529-9651_17_2_60.pdf by guest on 24 September 2021 and plished. The RAEA is a lightweight compact book, full of group descriptions. For example: Geckos that are known to photos and can easily fit into a backpack or belly bag. steal bread and sugar from homes (Lygodactylus picturatus, Short (1-3 page), illustrated subsections of the Introduction pg. 39), a skink that swims in the ocean (Cryptoblepharus entitled “How to use this book”, “East African reptiles and boutonii, pg. 48), chameleons that can supercool (Chamaeleo amphibians and their zoogeography”, “Observing and collect hoehnelii, pg. 68), and treefrogs with bile pigments in their ing reptiles and amphibians”, “Conservation”, “Safety and circulatory system that stain its muscles, bone and blood reptiles”, “Identifying reptiles”, and “Identifying amphibians” green (Leptophis barbouri, pg. 178). Some of the interesting orient the reader through basic information about East African group descriptions include rain frogs (Breviceps) that “resem amphibian and reptile morphology, biogeography, behavior ble badly made meatballs to which the chef has added a face and natural history. One-page introductions to the orders of and four legs” (pg. 218). reptiles and amphibians precede their respective species The writing of the book was completed in August, 2005 and accounts. There are also one paragraph descriptions of each thus recent, major taxonomic changes of amphibians (Frost, et family, including taxonomic notes, natural history and identi al, 2006) have not been incorporated into the classification fication pointers. Each brief species account is about half a scheme. Other taxonomic changes published recently have, in page and each account conveys basic information about iden some cases, been missed or ignored (Trachylepsis instead of tification (size, coloration, basic morphology), habitat and Mabuya, Bauer, 2003; Strongylopus kilimanjaro, Clarke and distribution in East Africa, and natural history. Other species Poynton, 2005). are listed without photos (abbreviated accounts) and are limit The authors use the term paratoid gland (pg. 216) to refer to ed to one or two sentences concerning identification and the lack of glandular tissue behind the eyes of Tomoptema, distribution. There are 193 reptile species accounts with pho but this spelling should be used for similar glands in salaman tos and 230 abbreviated reptile accounts. For amphibians ders (Tyler, et al, 2001). In frogs the correct spelling is there are 84 species accounts with photos and 85 abbreviated parotoid gland, not parotid gland (salivary glands in mam amphibian accounts. Although the main focus of the book is mals), which is used elsewhere in RAEA. There are number on the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, of typographical errors in the book, none of which are major Rwanda and Burundi, some accounts include information distractions or will be particularly frustrating for the reader. about the surrounding countries of Somalia, Democratic One frustrating part of the book is that none of the abbreviat Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. Brief ed accounts are listed in the index. (1-3 page) sections at the back of the book include a Glossary, These drawbacks aside, this book will be an informative, Institutions involved with East African herpetology, Photo inexpensive, and practical guide to herpetologists, other biol credits, Index of scientific names, and Index of English ogists and tourists in East Africa. For those who own A Field names. Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa the addition of this book For more extensive information, identification keys, and will be welcome for the unique amphibian photos and practi additional reptile species accounts, RAEA directs readers to A cal use in the field. Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa (Spawls, et al, Reviewed by Brad Lock, DVM, DACZM 60 Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery Volume 17, No. 2,2007.

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