Review by Choice Review
The authors of this work are all recognized vertebrate population biologists. As a team, they have set a new standard for guidelines used in quantifying the current status of populations of reptiles and amphibians in California that are, to varying degrees, identified as vulnerable to extinction. Readers are introduced to the logic behind each of the eight factors taken into account to numerically prioritize concerns for a particular species. The bulk of the following text treats each taxon (largely at the species or subspecies level) in terms of what is and what is not known. The background survey of the literature and consultation with experts is extremely thorough. Each account is accompanied by an exceptional color photo depicting a typical live adult, along with a range map based on both museum records and locations from published literature. The writing is open, lucid, and informative. Each entry includes a discussion of the strengths of the data and identification of areas that need research based on the eight criteria and the authors' best judgment of what each taxon faces in the future. The work is highly recommended for professionals and any individual interested in the conservation of vertebrates. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers. --James E. Platz, Creighton University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review