Herpetology

Herpetology

Herpetology (from Greek: ἑρπετόν, "herpeton", "creeping animal" and λόγος, "logos", "knowledge") is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of .

Herpetology is concerned with poikilothermic, or ectothermic, tetrapods. "Herps" (or sometimes "herptiles" or "herpetofauna") include reptiles and amphibians, but exclude fish. However, it is not uncommon for herpetological and ichthyological scientific societies to "team up", publishing joint journals and holding conferences in order to foster the exchange of ideas between the fields. One of the most prestigious organizations, the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, is an example of this.

Herpetology offers benefits to humanity in the study of the role of amphibians and reptiles in global ecology, especially because amphibians are often very sensitive to environmental changes, offering a visible warning to humans that significant changes are taking place. Some toxins and venoms produced by reptiles and amphibians are useful in human medicine. Currently, some snake venom has been used to create anti-coagulants that work to treat stroke victims and heart attack cases.

People with an avid interest in herpetology and who keep different reptiles or amphibians, often refer to themselves as "herpers." Many herpetological societies exist today having been formed to promote interest in reptiles and amphibians both captive and wild.

Careers

There are many careers in the field of herpetology. These include, but are not limited to, field research, public and private breeding, zoological staff or curating, museum staff or curating and college teaching.

Those wishing to pursue a career in herpetology must have a strong science and math background. Few universities offer this program, and thus it is a highly competitive field.

In modern academic science, it is rare for individuals to consider themselves a herpetologist first and foremost. Most individuals focus on a particular field such as ecology, evolution, taxonomy, physiology, or molecular biology, and within that field ask questions pertaining to or best answered by examining reptiles and amphibians. For example, an evolutionary biologist who is also a herpetologist may choose to work on how warning coloration evolved in coral snakes.

ee also

* Herping
* Ethnoherpetology
* List of herpetologists
* List of reptiles
* List of amphibians
* List of regional reptiles lists
* Ophiology - taxonomically-oriented discipline on the study of snakes
* Important publications in herpetology

External links

* [http://www.asih.org American Society of Icthyologists and Herpetologists]
* [http://www.freewebs.com/berkshirereptilerescue Berkshire Reptile Rescue]
* [http://www.cnah.org/index.asp Center for North American Herpetology] over 500 species of reptiles and amphibians
* [http://www.euroherp.com European Field Herping Community]
* [http://www.herpetology.com Herpetological Resources and Links]
* [http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/wildlifeecol/herpetology/ New Zealand Herpetology]
* [http://alternatives2toxics.pointinspace.com:80/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=A2T_HerpDB&-loadframes Reptile Amphibian & Pesticide (RAP) Database]
* [http://www.tigr.org/reptiles Reptile Database]

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Herpetology — Her pe*tol o*gy, n. [Written also, but less properly, erpetology.] [Gr. ? a creeping thing, reptile (fr. ? to creep) + logy: cf. F. herp[ e]tologie.] The natural history of reptiles; that branch of zo[ o]logy which relates to reptiles, including… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • herpetology — study of reptiles, 1816, from Fr. herpétologie (18c.), coined from Gk. herpeton reptile, lit. creeping thing, from herpein to creep (see SERPENT (Cf. serpent)) + logia (see LOGY (Cf. logy)). Related: Herpetologist …   Etymology dictionary

  • herpetology — [hʉr΄pə täl′ə jē] n. [< Gr herpeton, reptile (< herpein, to creep: see SERPENT)] the branch of zoology having to do with the study of reptiles and amphibians herpetologic [hʉr΄pətō läj′ik] adj. herpetological herpetologist n …   English World dictionary

  • herpetology — herpetologic /herr pi tl oj ik/, herpetological, adj. herpetologically, adv. herpetologist, n. /herr pi tol euh jee/, n. the branch of zoology dealing with reptiles and amphibians. [1815 25; < Gk herpetó(n) a creeping thing (Compare HÉRPEIN to… …   Universalium

  • herpetology — noun Etymology: Greek herpeton quadruped, reptile, from neuter of herpetos crawling, from herpein Date: 1824 a branch of zoology dealing with reptiles and amphibians • herpetological adjective • herpetologist noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • herpetology — noun /ˌhɝ.pɛ̆.ˈtɑ.lŏ.ʤi/ the branch of biology dealing with reptiles (Reptilia) or amphibians. See Also: herp, herpetological, herpetologist, herptile …   Wiktionary

  • herpetology — The branch of zoology concerned with the study of reptiles and amphibians. * * * her·pe·tol·o·gy (hur″pə tolґə je) [herpeto + logy] the branch of zoology that specializes in the study of reptiles and amphibians …   Medical dictionary

  • herpetology — Synonyms and related words: anatomy, animal physiology, anthropology, biology, comparative anatomy, conchology, ecology, entomology, ethology, helminthology, ichthyology, malacology, mammalogy, ornithology, protozoology, taxidermy, taxonomy,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • herpetology — see SERPENT …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • herpetology —  The study of reptiles …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

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