Review by Choice Review
The last comprehensive work on salamanders of Europe, North Africa, and Asia was published in French in 1968 by Robert Thorn. Thus, this authoritative, up-to-date volume on those regions' 160-plus salamander species by famed amphibian specialist Sparreboom (Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Netherlands) is a welcome addition. The preface explains the author's inspiration for the book and his criteria for the family, genus, and species accounts. A lengthy introduction addresses salamander biology, life cycles, population threats, conservation, and taxonomic groupings. Species accounts alphabetically arranged by genera within the five families known to occur within the territories covered follow. The uniform accounts contain nomenclature information and categories, including "Description," "Diagnosis," "Eggs and Larvae," "Distribution," "Habitat," "Behaviour," "Threats and Conservation," and "Observations in Captivity." Colorful topographic range maps and superb color photos and/or drawings provide unusual glimpses into the lives of each salamander species, their eggs, their young, and their habitats. Some accounts include monochrome and/or color drawings of courtship sequences, body patterns, and shape variation, etc. An extensive reference section, recommended readings and websites, a glossary, a scientific names index, and color maps support the text. This is the finest book available on Old World salamanders for amateur naturalists and professional herpetologists worldwide. No library should be without it. Summing Up: Essential. All levels/libraries. --Edmund D. Keiser, emeritus, University of Mississippi
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
