Herpetology
Branch of zoology studying amphibians and non-avian reptiles.
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Herpetology is the branch of zoology that studies amphibians and reptiles, including frogs, salamanders, snakes, lizards, and turtles.[1] Herpetology excludes birds, which are studied separately in ornithology, even though birds are cladistically within Reptilia.[1]
Quick Facts
- Field
- Zoology
- Definition
- Study of ectothermic tetrapods (amphibians and non-avian reptiles)
- Etymology
- From Ancient Greek ἑρπετόν (herpetón), meaning 'creeping animal'
- Related fields
- Batrachology (frogs)
- Ophiology (snakes)
- Saurology (lizards)
- Cheloniology (turtles)
Facts from the source article.
Key facts and history
Linnaeus's classification system, which placed reptiles and amphibians together, is the source of the vernacular term "herp" for non-avian reptiles and amphibians.[2] Amphibian species number over 6700, while reptile species exceed 9000.[2] To encourage idea exchange between ichthyology and herpetology, organizations like the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists jointly publish journals and organize conferences.[3] Research into how amphibians and reptiles function within global ecosystems is a benefit provided by herpetological studies.[4]
Because amphibians are highly responsive to environmental shifts, tracking them provides observable indications that major climatic changes are occurring.[4] Anti-coagulant medications for treating strokes and heart attacks have been developed from certain snake venoms.[5] A major specifically in herpetology is not offered by most colleges; instead, students choose a biological sciences major.[6]
References
- Wikipedia, "Herpetology" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Herpetology - Reptiles, Amphibians, Conservation - Britannica", www.britannica.com; "Herpetology - Latest research and news - Nature", www.nature.com; "Ornithology - Bird Identification, Behavior & Conservation - Britannica", www.britannica.com (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Herpetology" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "AmphibiaWeb", AmphibiaWeb; "Species Statistics February 2012", Reptile-database.org (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Herpetology" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Recent Meetings", American Society of Ichthyologists and Herptetologists (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Herpetology" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Why are amphibian populations declining? - U.S. Geological Survey", www.usgs.gov, 31 December 2016; "Amphibians as indicators of environmental health", Amphibian Ark (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Herpetology" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "How venoms are shaping medical advances - BBC Earth", www.bbcearth.com (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Herpetology" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "How to Become a Herpetologist - EnvironmentalScience.org", www.environmentalscience.org (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Herpetology (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Herpetology (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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